Nitrogen-Free Solid Electrolyte for Microbattery Ionic Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid electrolytes in microbatteries, particularly those based on LiPON, do not achieve satisfactory ionic conductivity despite attempts to enhance it by adding sulphur, indicating a need for alternative approaches that do not rely solely on sulphur's association with nitrogen.
Innovation Solution
A solid electrolyte comprising LixPOySz with no nitrogen, where sulphur is used independently to enhance ionic conductivity, and the electrolyte is produced through physical vapour deposition from a Li3PO4 target in a reactive atmosphere without nitrogen, resulting in improved ionic conductivity while maintaining low electronic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sulphur is added to LiPON electrolyte, then ionic conductivity is improved, but the improvement is insufficient and does not meet expected levels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by removing nitrogen entirely from the electrolyte structure and replacing it with sulphur-containing compounds. This fundamental parameter change transforms the electrolyte from LiPON (lithium phosphorus oxygen nitrogen) to a nitrogen-free composition with sulphur, achieving superior ionic conductivity that exceeds previous sulphur-addition approaches in LiPON.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional LiPON electrolyte is used, then structural stability is maintained, but ionic conductivity remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs composite material strategy by combining lithium, phosphorus, oxygen with sulphur-containing compounds in specific proportions to create a new electrolyte composition. This composite approach integrates multiple functional components that work synergistically to achieve both structural stability and high ionic conductivity, overcoming the limitations of conventional LiPON.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The approach significantly increases ionic conductivity of Li+ ions, reducing energy activation of the electrolyte layer and maintaining acceptable electronic conductivity levels, suitable for microbattery applications.
Implementation Method 1
The migration of one or more ions between the two electrodes through the electrolyte makes it possible, either to store energy, or to deliver to an external circuit
Implementation Method 2
the electrolyte is produced through physical vapour deposition from a Li3PO4 target in a reactive atmosphere without nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a solid electrolyte including at least one layer with no nitrogen and which includes LixPOySz, with 0<z≤3, 2.1≤x≤2.4, and 1≤y≤4. A battery including the electrolyte, and a method for producing the electrolyte, are also provided.