Oxide Electrolyte Ion Conductivity via Interstitial Oxygen

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current oxygen ion conductors, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia and Gd-doped CeO2, exhibit low ion mobility, leading to unsatisfactory ion conductivity, which is a limitation in energy conversion and storage applications.

Innovation Solution

A novel oxide with the formula (Sr2−xAx)(M1−yQy)D2O7+d, where A is barium, M is magnesium or calcium, Q is a Group 13 element, and D is silicon or germanium, with specific values of x and y that make the oxide electrically neutral, exhibits improved ion conductivity due to interstitial oxygen movement, potentially adopting a melilite crystal structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional oxide materials (YSZ, GDC, LSGM) are used, then the material structure is well-established and manufacturable, but the ion mobility is low leading to dissatisfactory ion conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion conductivityVSAvoidmaterial synthesis complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite oxide materials with multi-element doping (Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge) combined in specific ratios to achieve synergistic effects that enhance ion conductivity beyond what single dopants can provide, while maintaining structural stability for manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies compositional parameters (doping ratios of different elements, oxygen content represented by 7+d) to optimize ion conductivity, finding specific parameter ranges that maximize performance while ensuring the material can be synthesized using conventional ceramic processing methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If higher ion conductivity is achieved through interstitial oxygen movement, then the ion mobility improves, but the crystal structure stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion mobilityVSAvoidcrystal structure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces local structural modifications through targeted doping at specific crystallographic sites, where Al, Ga, or In occupy metal sites and Si or Ge occupy tetrahedral sites, creating localized regions of enhanced ionic conductivity without disrupting the overall crystal structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to increase ion conductivity by creating more oxygen vacancies (conventional approach), the patent inverts the strategy by utilizing interstitial oxygen movement, where excess oxygen atoms move through interstitial sites, providing an alternative conduction mechanism that maintains structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 oxide demonstrates enhanced ion conductivity, ranging from 10−7 S/cm to 10−2 S/cm, making it suitable for use in electrolytes and electrochemical devices like solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen sensors, with improved performance across various industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

the oxide demonstrates enhanced ion conductivity, ranging from 10−7 S/cm to 10−2 S/cm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

exhibits improved ion conductivity due to interstitial oxygen movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterstitial diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9598292B2Oxide, electrolyte including oxide, and electrochemical device including oxide

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An oxide represented by Formula 1:(Sr2−xAx)(M1−yQy)D2O7+d, Formula 1wherein A is barium (Ba), M is at least one selected from magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), Q is a Group 13 element, D is at least one selected from silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), 0≦x≦2.0, 0<y≦1.0, and d is a value which makes the oxide electrically neutral.