Phase-Change Electrolyte Separator for Lithium Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries face the issue of dendrite growth during charging, which can lead to short circuits, overheating, and potential fires due to lithium ions plating unevenly on the anode surface, causing protrusions that pierce the separator.
Innovation Solution
A phase-change electrolyte separator for solid-state batteries comprising a non-reactive scaffold with open spaces filled with a lithium liquid mixture that converts to a gel upon heating, combined with an anti-dendrite layer to inhibit dendrite growth by reducing nucleation energy and promoting even lithium deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium ions plate on the anode surface during charging, then lithium ions are inserted into the anode material, but lithium ions may plate unevenly forming dendrites that can pierce the separator and cause short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anti-dendrite layer as an intermediary between the anode and the electrolyte separator. This layer mediates the lithium ion deposition process by providing a controlled interface that promotes uniform plating and prevents dendrite formation, thereby resolving the contradiction between enabling lithium insertion and preventing harmful dendrite growth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous anti-dendrite layer with specific pore structure and composition. The porous structure provides numerous nucleation sites for uniform lithium deposition, preventing localized pooling and dendrite formation while maintaining high lithium ion conductivity for efficient charging
2Reliability
If a separator is used to prevent dendrite penetration, then short circuits are prevented, but the separator may not effectively stop dendrites that grow through multiple charge-discharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite anti-dendrite layer combining organic and inorganic materials (such as polymers with ceramic particles). This composite structure provides both mechanical strength to maintain separator integrity over multiple cycles and chemical properties to actively suppress dendrite growth, enhancing both effectiveness and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating regions within the anti-dendrite layer with different properties - areas with higher ceramic content for dendrite blocking and areas with higher polymer content for flexibility and ion conductivity. This localized variation optimizes both immediate effectiveness and long-term durability
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 effectively inhibits dendrite growth, preventing short circuits and enhancing the safety and performance of lithium ion batteries by ensuring even lithium deposition across the anode surface, thus reducing the risk of overheating and fires.
Implementation Method 1
The lithium liquid may be converted to the lithium gel within the non-reactive scaffold following an application of heat
Data Source
AI summary
A phase-change electrolyte separator layer can include a non-reactive scaffold that has open spaces. A lithium liquid may be used that transitions into a lithium gel, the lithium liquid can include a mixture of a polymer additive, a cross-linker additive, a lithium salt; and a solvent. The lithium liquid with the polymer additive and the cross-linker additive can be filled into the open spaces within the non-reactive scaffold. The lithium liquid can then be converted into a lithium gel within the non-reactive scaffold following an application of heat while the lithium liquid is within the open spaces within the non-reactive scaffold.