Lithiated Polyphosphazene Solid Electrolyte for Dendrite-Resistant Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries face challenges such as low ionic conductivity, high interfacial resistance at the polymer-ceramic interface, and issues with active material dissolution, which limit their efficiency and adoption in battery electrodes.

Innovation Solution

Development of a polymer comprising specific monomers with various substituents, which form a solid electrolyte that enhances lithium-ion conductivity, reduces interfacial resistance, and prevents lithium dendrite growth, thereby improving battery performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If flexible polymer chains with high segmental motion are used, then processing is improved, but non-conductive crystalline centers form, reducing ionic conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprocessabilityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ceramic particles with specific surface properties and compositions that create localized regions of enhanced ionic conductivity at the polymer-ceramic interfaces. These localized conductive pathways compensate for the formation of non-conductive crystalline centers in the bulk polymer matrix. The ceramic particles act as nucleation sites that disrupt large-scale crystallization while promoting localized amorphous regions with high ion mobility, thereby maintaining overall ionic conductivity despite the presence of flexible polymer chains prone to crystallization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 proposed polymer electrolyte achieves higher lithium-ion conductivities, maintains a large voltage window, ensures long cycle stability and calendar life, and inhibits lithium dendrite growth, leading to improved energy density and battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

conducts Li+ ions along the polymer chains by means of formation and dissociation of coordination bonds between donor 'ether oxygen' atoms and the Li+ ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

inhibits lithium dendrite growth, leading to improved energy density and battery performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDendrite inhibition:

Data Source

PatentUS20250167391A1Lithiated polyphosphazene solid polymer electrolyte compositions and methods of manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are polymers and polymer compositions comprising metalized polyphosphazene. Also disclosed are polymer electrolytes comprising the disclosed herein polymers and polymer compositions, and film separators comprising polymers and polymer compositions. Also disclosed are batteries comprising an anode, a cathode and polymer electrolytes. Disclosed are also methods of making polymers, polymer compositions, and batteries.