Polysiloxane-Coated Solid Electrolyte for Moisture-Stable Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inorganic solid electrolytes used in rechargeable lithium batteries suffer from poor chemical stability, leading to deterioration due to moisture exposure, which reduces ionic conductivity and requires costly handling in inert environments, and existing solutions to improve stability either compromise conductivity or use toxic elements.

Innovation Solution

A solid electrolyte with a thin, uniform coating layer of a thermal decomposition product of a linear polysiloxane-based hydrophobic polymer is applied to the surface of solid electrolyte particles, preventing moisture contact and maintaining high ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inorganic solid electrolytes are used to achieve high ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but chemical stability deteriorates due to reaction with moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidchemical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophobic polymer coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the inorganic solid electrolyte and moisture in the environment. This coating layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between moisture and the electrolyte surface, thereby maintaining chemical stability while preserving the high ionic conductivity of the underlying inorganic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A thin film coating of hydrophobic polymer is applied to the surface of the inorganic solid electrolyte particles. This flexible thin film provides a protective shell that repels moisture while being thin enough to maintain the overall performance characteristics of the electrolyte, including ionic conductivity and mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If metal oxide materials are added to suppress deterioration, then chemical stability is improved, but ionic conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly adding metal oxide throughout the bulk electrolyte material, the protective function is localized to the surface through a hydrophobic polymer coating. This allows the bulk electrolyte to maintain its original high ionic conductivity while only the surface region provides chemical stability protection against moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure consisting of inorganic solid electrolyte particles coated with hydrophobic polymer. This composite material combines the high ionic conductivity of the inorganic electrolyte with the moisture resistance of the organic polymer coating, achieving both properties simultaneously without the trade-off inherent in bulk metal oxide additions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If element replacement is used to suppress deterioration, then chemical stability is improved, but ionic conductivity and structural applicability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented from the bulk electrolyte material and placed solely on the surface. This allows the bulk electrolyte composition to remain optimized for ionic conductivity while the surface coating provides chemical stability, avoiding the need to compromise bulk composition for surface protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If inorganic solid electrolytes are handled in inert environments to prevent deterioration, then chemical stability is improved, but process cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidprocess cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic polymer coating is applied in advance to the inorganic solid electrolyte particles before they are assembled into the final battery product. This preliminary protective action ensures that the electrolyte is already protected against moisture during subsequent handling, assembly, and storage processes, eliminating the need for costly inert atmosphere facilities throughout the manufacturing process.

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 coated solid electrolyte exhibits enhanced atmospheric stability with minimal reduction in ionic conductivity, enabling improved electrochemical performance in all-solid-state rechargeable batteries.

Implementation Method 1

the coating layer includes a thermal decomposition product of a linear polysiloxane-based hydrophobic polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

heat-treating the vacuum tube to vapor-deposit the linear polysiloxane-based hydrophobic polymer on the surface of the solid electrolyte particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

linear polysiloxane-based hydrophobic polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS20250391910A1Solid electrolyte, preparation method thereof and all-solid-state rechargeable batteries

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a solid electrolyte, a preparation method thereof, and an all-solid-state rechargeable battery including the same, the solid electrolyte including solid electrolyte particles, and a coating layer on the surface of the solid electrolyte particles, wherein the coating layer includes a thermal decomposition product of a linear polysiloxane-based hydrophobic polymer, and the coating layer has a thickness of 1 nm to 50 nm.