Porous Solid-State Battery Electrode for Faster Ion Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state batteries face limitations in ion conduction and safety due to the small interface area between solid-state electrolytes and active materials, with existing methods either being costly or compromising lithium ion migration velocity, and using flammable polymer electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
An electrode for solid-state batteries is designed with active material particles having a porous structure, impregnated with an inorganic solid-state electrolyte that is meltable at a lower temperature than the binder, increasing the interface area for improved ion conduction and safety, using a hydrophilic organic compound as a binder to enhance wettability and reduce void rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interface area between solid-state electrolyte and active material is increased, then ion conduction is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active material particles are designed with a porous structure having pores inside them. This porous structure dramatically increases the surface area and interface area between the active material and the solid-state electrolyte, thereby improving ion conduction. The pores allow the electrolyte to penetrate deeply into the active material particles, creating extensive contact areas for efficient ion transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid-state electrolyte is impregnated into the pores of the active material particles, creating a nested structure where the electrolyte is contained within the porous matrix of the active material. This nesting approach maximizes the interface area between the two components without requiring complex external structures or additional manufacturing steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If a polymer electrolyte is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but safety deteriorates due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the electrolyte material from organic polymer to inorganic solid-state electrolyte. This parameter change eliminates the flammability issue inherent in polymer electrolytes while maintaining the ability to form effective interfaces with active materials. The inorganic electrolyte provides both safety and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining inorganic solid-state electrolyte with an organic binder system. The inorganic electrolyte particles are dispersed and impregnated into the porous active material, while the binder holds the structure together. This composite approach provides both the safety of inorganic materials and the manufacturability of organized composite structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the melting temperature of the solid-state electrolyte is lowered below the binder volatilization temperature, then impregnation process is simplified, but the thermal stability of the electrolyte is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the melting phase transition of the inorganic solid-state electrolyte to enable impregnation. The electrolyte is heated above its melting point to become liquid, allowing it to flow into and impregnate the porous active material particles. After impregnation, the electrolyte is cooled and solidifies in place, creating strong interfacial contact. The key is that the melting temperature is carefully selected to be below the binder's volatilization temperature, enabling this phase transition process without damaging the binder.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully selects and controls the temperature parameter throughout the impregnation process. The temperature is raised above the electrolyte's melting point for impregnation, then reduced below the melting point for solidification. This dynamic parameter control enables the process to proceed without exceeding the binder's thermal stability limits, thus maintaining both ease of manufacture and thermal stability.
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
This configuration enhances the electrode's conductive properties, enabling fast charging and high output while maintaining chemical and thermal stability, and reducing the void rate, thus improving the overall performance of solid-state batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The pore is impregnated with the inorganic solid-state electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
The binder includes a hydrophilic organic compound
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode for a solid-state battery having superior performance is provided. The electrode for a solid-state battery includes active material particles, a binder, and an inorganic solid-state electrolyte. The active material particles each have a porous structure having a pore inside. The binder is provided in a gap between the active material particles. The binder includes a hydrophilic organic compound. The pore is impregnated with the inorganic solid-state electrolyte. The inorganic solid-state electrolyte is meltable at a temperature lower than a volatilization temperature of the binder.