Oxide Solid-State Battery Cell With Gel Electrolyte and Silicon Film Anode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oxide-based solid-state batteries face challenges with poor solid-to-solid contact and limited lithium-ion conduction pathways between active materials and solid electrolytes, affecting their performance, especially in cold-start conditions and high-power applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a silicon film anode and in-situ formed gel polymer electrolyte enhances lithium-ion and electronic conduction paths, improving solid-to-solid contact and achieving high cold-start voltage and capacity retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oxide-based solid-state battery uses solid electrolyte, then safety and stability are improved, but lithium-ion conduction pathways are limited and solid-to-solid contact is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and stabilityVSAvoidlithium-ion conduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines solid oxide electrolyte with gel polymer electrolyte to form a composite electrolyte system. The gel polymer component fills the pores of the solid oxide electrolyte, creating dual-phase conduction pathways that maintain the safety benefits of solid electrolytes while significantly improving lithium-ion conductivity through the flexible polymer matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The solid oxide electrolyte is designed with a porous structure that provides extensive surface area and interconnected pathways. The pores are filled with gel polymer electrolyte, creating a three-dimensional conduction network that enhances lithium-ion transport while maintaining structural integrity and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Quantity of substance

If thin silicon film is used in anode, then capacity is improved, but solid-to-solid contact remains poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelithium storage capacityVSAvoidsolid-to-solid contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gel polymer electrolyte acts as an intermediary material between the thin silicon film anode and the solid oxide electrolyte. This intermediary layer compensates for the poor solid-to-solid contact by providing a flexible, conformal interface that maintains intimate contact with the silicon film surface, enabling efficient lithium-ion extraction and insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gel polymer electrolyte forms a flexible thin film that conforms to the surface topology of the silicon anode. This flexible structure adapts to the expansion and contraction of silicon during lithium insertion and extraction, maintaining continuous contact and preventing electrical disconnection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If in-situ polymerization gel is added, then lithium-ion and electronic conduction paths are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduction path efficiencyVSAvoidelectrolyte structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the solid oxide electrolyte and gel polymer electrolyte into a single integrated electrolyte system. The gel polymer is introduced as a liquid precursor that infiltrates the solid oxide structure, and upon in-situ polymerization, forms a unified composite electrolyte phase that simultaneously provides both safety and high conductivity without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gel polymer is introduced in its liquid monomer form before assembly, allowing it to easily infiltrate the porous solid oxide structure. The polymerization reaction then occurs in-situ within the battery structure, creating the final composite electrolyte. This preliminary liquid-state introduction simplifies the manufacturing process compared to attempting to assemble pre-formed solid gel components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution delivers high cold-start voltage, excellent 10 C rate capability, and 97.8% capacity retention over 100 cycles, making it suitable for automotive high-power applications.

Implementation Method 1

an in-situ formed gel polymer electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

enhances lithium-ion and electronic conduction paths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

cathode active material that exchanges lithium ions and a solid oxide electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS20240379996A1High-power, oxide-based solid-state battery with thin silicon film and in-situ gel polymer electrolyte
Publication Date: 2024.11.14 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • US20240379996A1 patent drawing
  • US20240379996A1 patent drawing
  • US20240379996A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An oxide-based solid-state battery cell includes a cathode electrode comprising a cathode current collector. A cathode active layer is arranged adjacent to the cathode current collector and comprising cathode active material that exchanges lithium ions and a solid oxide electrolyte and an in-situ polymerization gel. A separator layer comprises a solid oxide electrolyte, a porous layer, and the in-situ polymerization gel. An anode electrode comprises an anode current collector, a silicon film, and the in-situ polymerization gel.