Printable Lithium Anode With Hybrid Electrolyte for Dendrite Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face limitations in energy density and safety due to lithium dendrite formation and irreversible capacity loss, which restricts the choice of cathode active materials and poses safety concerns during charging and discharging cycles.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state battery design incorporating a printable lithium composition and a hybrid solid electrolyte, comprising lithium-based materials and polymer electrolytes, is developed to enhance energy density and safety, with the anode formed by a mixture of lithium metal powder, polymer binder, rheology modifier, and nonpolar solvent, and a hybrid solid electrolyte that includes lithium-based materials and polymer electrolytes like polyethylene oxide and tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal anode is used to achieve high specific capacity, then energy density is improved, but lithium dendrite formation occurs causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
A solid electrolyte layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal anode and cathode, preventing direct contact and dendrite formation while enabling ionic transport. The solid electrolyte acts as a physical barrier that blocks dendrite propagation pathways while maintaining lithium ion conductivity for charge transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery employs a composite structure combining lithium metal powder with carbon-coated particles and binder materials to form a stable anode composite. This composite approach maintains high lithium content for capacity while the carbon coating and binder provide structural stability and prevent direct lithium exposure that leads to dendrites.
2Reliability
If carbon-based anode material is used to avoid lithium dendrites, then safety is improved, but lithium supply is limited from cathode reducing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
Lithium metal powder is pre-loaded onto the anode structure before battery assembly, establishing a reservoir of lithium that can supply ions to the cathode throughout multiple charge-discharge cycles. This preliminary lithium loading ensures sufficient lithium availability without relying solely on cathode delithiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode is designed with spatially differentiated zones: lithium metal powder particles provide localized lithium sources, carbon-coated regions provide structural stability and electron conductivity, and binder materials provide mechanical integrity. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of high capacity and safety.
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 results in improved energy density, safety, and manufacturability of solid-state batteries, with enhanced cycle performance and reduced capacity loss, as demonstrated by comparisons with conventional lithium foil-based batteries.
Implementation Method 1
lithium ions are transferred from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte when the secondary battery is being discharged
Implementation Method 2
lithium ions are transferred from the cathode to the anode through the electrolyte when the secondary battery is being charged
Implementation Method 3
lithium moves from the cathode material to the anode active material. The lithium moving from the cathode to the anode reacts with an electrolyte material at the surface of the graphite anode, causing the formation of a passivation film on the anode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a solid-state battery which includes a cathode, an anode, and a hybrid solid electrolyte. In one embodiment, the anode or cathode may be conventional anodes or cathodes, or the anode may be formed by printing a printable lithium composition being on a solution basis of a) 5 to 50 percent of lithium metal powder, b) 0.1 to 20 of a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder, and c) 0.1 to 30 percent of a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powder, and d) 50 to 95 percent of a nonpolar solvent compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder.The hybrid solid electrolyte may be a lithium-based solid electrolyte material comprising Li3+x Ax B2−x Si2 PO12−d Cd wherein A is a trivalent metal, B is a transition metal, C is a halogen or sulfur, x is 0.01 to 0.5, and d is 0 to 12, a polymer solid electrolyte and an inorganic salt. The hybrid solid electrolyte may also be the combination of polyethylene oxide, tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconate (LLTZO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTSFI).