Polymer-Ceramic Solid Electrolyte With Porous Scaffold Ion Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid polymer electrolytes have suboptimal room-temperature ionic conductivity and insufficient strength to prevent lithium dendrite growth, while composite electrolytes with inorganic ceramic and polymer components face challenges with efficient ion transport due to large interparticle contact resistance.
Innovation Solution
A self-standing, interconnected polymer-ceramic composite solid electrolyte is developed, featuring a ceramic electrolyte scaffold with interconnected pores, a crosslinked polymer electrolyte within the pores, and a surface protection layer on the exterior. The ceramic scaffold has a porosity of 45 to 55%, and the method involves combining ceramic, binder, and solvent to form a slurry, casting, sintering, and infiltrating with a polymer precursor solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inorganic ceramic electrolytes are used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical brittleness and processing difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite solid electrolyte combining inorganic ceramic particles (providing high ionic conductivity) with a polymer matrix (providing flexibility and mechanical strength). The ceramic particles are dispersed within the polymer, allowing the composite to exhibit both the high ionic conductivity of ceramics and the mechanical flexibility of polymers, thereby resolving the contradiction between ionic conductivity and mechanical brittleness.
2Strength
If composite electrolytes with inorganic ceramic and polymer components are used, then mechanical properties are improved, but ion transport efficiency worsens due to large interparticle contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the local distribution and concentration of ceramic particles within the polymer matrix, ensuring adequate particle-particle contact pathways for efficient ion transport while maintaining the mechanical benefits of the composite structure. The ceramic content and spatial arrangement are specifically designed to minimize interparticle contact resistance without compromising mechanical properties.
3Ease of operation
If solid polymer electrolytes are used, then flexibility and adhesion are improved, but room-temperature ionic conductivity and strength worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates inorganic ceramic particles into the polymer electrolyte matrix to create a composite that maintains the flexibility and adhesion advantages of pure polymers while significantly enhancing room-temperature ionic conductivity through the high-conductivity ceramic phase. The ceramic particles provide additional ion conduction pathways that compensate for the polymer's lower ionic conductivity.
4Ease of operation
If solid polymer electrolytes are used, then flexibility is improved, but strength to prevent lithium dendrite growth worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the rigid inorganic ceramic particles dispersed in the flexible polymer matrix to provide mechanical strength and structural support that prevents lithium dendrite penetration, while the polymer continuous phase maintains flexibility. The ceramic particles act as physical barriers that block dendrite growth pathways, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and dendrite prevention strength.
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 composite electrolyte achieves improved mechanical flexibility and ionic conductivity, reducing lithium dendrite growth and enhancing the overall performance of lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The ceramic electrolyte layer is sintered to give a ceramic electrolyte scaffold defining a plurality of interconnected pores
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of interconnected pores are infiltrated with the polymer precursor solution
Implementation Method 3
which is then cured to give a composite electrolyte including crosslinked polymer electrolyte disposed within the plurality of pores
Data Source
AI summary
A self-standing, interconnected polymer-ceramic composite solid electrolyte is provided. The composite electrolyte includes a ceramic electrolyte scaffold defining a plurality of interconnected pores having a porosity of 45 to 55%. A crosslinked polymer electrolyte is disposed within the plurality of pores. A surface protection layer, including a linear polymer electrolyte is disposed on an exterior surface of the ceramic electrolyte scaffold. A method of manufacturing a composite electrolyte is also provided. The method includes combining a ceramic electrolyte, a binder, and a solvent to give a ceramic electrolyte slurry cast to give a ceramic electrolyte layer. The ceramic electrolyte layer is sintered to give a porous ceramic electrolyte scaffold defining a porosity of 45 to 55%. A polymer precursor solution is prepared and used to infiltrate the ceramic electrolyte and then cured.