Porous Solid-State Battery Cell with Sulfide Cathode for High-Temperature Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to combustible organic components, degradation from reaction products at the anode and cathode interfaces, and limitations in power and energy density due to poor electrochemical stability of organic electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
The development of solid-state batteries with a lithium-garnet solid-state electrolyte, a porous structure, and a sulfide cathode, where the anode material is disposed within the pores of the porous region, enhancing safety and stability while increasing energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid-state electrolyte with dense structure is used, then safety is improved by eliminating combustible components, but manufacturing complexity increases due to porosity control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous solid-state electrolyte structure with controlled porosity (30-70%) to accommodate anode materials within the pores. This porous configuration eliminates the need for separate liquid electrolyte components while maintaining safety, and the porosity control during manufacturing reduces complexity by integrating multiple functions into a single component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where anode materials are integrated within the porous solid-state electrolyte matrix. This composite approach combines the safety benefits of solid-state electrolytes with the functional requirements of anode materials, eliminating combustible components while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled.
2Quantity of substance
If porous structure is introduced in solid-state electrolyte, then energy density is improved by accommodating anode material in pores, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous solid-state electrolyte with controlled porosity (30-70%) that serves dual purposes: maintaining structural integrity and accommodating anode materials within the pores. This approach increases energy density by maximizing the active material content while the porosity control parameters are optimized to balance manufacturing feasibility with performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the porosity parameter of the solid-state electrolyte to a specific range (30-70%) that simultaneously achieves high energy density and manufacturability. By controlling this key parameter within an optimized window, the patent balances the competing demands of energy density improvement and manufacturing precision requirements.
3Power
If anode material is disposed in pores, then power density is improved by increasing contact area, but device complexity increases due to structure design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous solid-state electrolyte structure where anode materials are distributed within the pores, creating extensive contact interfaces between the anode material and electrolyte. This porous architecture naturally increases the effective contact area for ion transport, thereby improving power density without requiring complex external structures or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous solid-state electrolyte serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the ion-conducting medium, provides structural support, and serves as the scaffold for accommodating anode materials. This multi-functionality increases power density through enhanced contact area while avoiding the need for separate current collectors or additional structural components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 provides enhanced safety, increased energy density, and improved power density by eliminating mechanical stress and the formation of solid electrolyte interphase layers, leading to a longer battery lifespan and higher voltage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state electrolyte (SSE) comprising: a solid-state dense region having a porosity of less than 5%; and a solid-state first porous region having a porosity of 40% to 90%
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cells that include sulfide cathodes are described with examples being suitable for operation at elevated temperatures. Also described are methods of making and using these battery cells.