Protected Lithium Anode Preloading Through Solid Electrolyte Plating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries face challenges with lithium metal anodes due to adverse reactions with the electrolyte, leading to lithium loss, dendrite formation, and reduced battery lifetime and safety.
Innovation Solution
The development of electrode parts with a pre-loaded anode metal composition, such as lithium, covered by a solid-state electrolyte layer, which shields the lithium from ambient and mitigates dendrite formation, thereby improving battery performance and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as anode to improve energy density, then specific capacity is increased, but lithium loss due to adverse reactions with electrolyte occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A solid electrolyte layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal anode and the liquid electrolyte. This solid electrolyte layer acts as a physical barrier that prevents direct contact and adverse reactions between lithium metal and the liquid electrolyte, thereby reducing lithium loss while maintaining the high specific capacity benefit of lithium metal anodes.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin solid electrolyte film is applied directly onto the lithium metal anode surface. This flexible thin film coating provides protective shielding against the liquid electrolyte while maintaining electrical conductivity for lithium ion transport, thus preserving the high capacity advantage of lithium metal without suffering from the lithium loss problem.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium metal anode is used to improve energy density, then specific capacity is increased, but dendrite formation occurs leading to reduced safety
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte layer serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents dendritic lithium deposits from forming direct contact with the liquid electrolyte. This intermediary layer physically constrains dendrite growth and eliminates the short circuit risk associated with dendrites penetrating the separator, thereby improving safety while retaining lithium metal's high specific capacity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If lithium is processed in Ar atmosphere to mitigate oxidic surface layers, then surface degradation is reduced, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte layer is applied to the lithium metal anode surface before the electrode is exposed to ambient atmosphere during battery assembly and operation. This preliminary protective coating prevents oxidation from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for costly inert atmosphere processing while maintaining surface stability and preventing resistive oxidic layer formation.
4Stability of the object's composition
If solid electrolyte layer is applied to protect anode metal, then surface protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte layer application is merged with the existing electrode manufacturing process. The solid electrolyte is applied directly onto the lithium metal anode in the same production line where electrodes are assembled, combining the protection function with the manufacturing process rather than requiring separate treatment steps, thus minimizing additional manufacturing 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
This solution effectively protects the anode metal from degradation, reduces lithium loss, and enhances battery lifetime and safety by preventing short circuits and improving plating homogeneity.
Implementation Method 1
a solid or semi-solid electrolyte layer, which shields the lithium from ambient
Implementation Method 2
The electroplating process involves a directed transfer of anode metal ions through the electrolyte coating from an anode metal source, e.g. a plating electrolyte, towards the current collector element
Implementation Method 3
The SEI layer allows transport of anode metal ions towards the current collector element for further plating while protecting the formed anode metal, which is typically highly reactive, by hindering permeation of reactive species, such as O2, N2 and/or CO2 from ambient
Implementation Method 4
whereby the electrolyte layer, due to its solid or semi-solid nature, can advantageously be used as an ion conductive separator between the electrode part and a counter electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing an electrode (In) comprising a current collector element (10) and a coating of a solid or semi-solid electrolyte (20) and the corresponding electrode part. The method comprises depositing (300) an amount of an anode metal composition as a layer between the current collector element and the solid state electrolyte covering the current collector element by an electroplating process that involves a directed transfer of anode metal ions through the electrolyte coat, wherein the solid state electrolyte comprises i) a first layer covering the current collector element that, at least initially contains, one or more additives forming a solid electrolyte interphase layer by reaction with the plated anode metal composition, and ii) a second layer covering the first layer that is resistive to inward permeation of solvent comprised in the plating electrolyte (302). The disclosure further relates to a battery comprising the electrode part.