Proton-Conducting Ceramic Separators for Room-Temperature Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion solid state batteries suffer from poor room temperature conductivity, limiting their effectiveness at normal operating temperatures due to the use of flammable organic solvents and the need for improved energy storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
Development of proton conducting solid state batteries using inorganic ceramic materials with a perovskite oxide phase altered to include less than 85 weight percent perovskite oxide, exhibiting proton conductivity of 0.1 mS/cm or greater at 25 degrees Celsius, and a process involving humidification to enhance room temperature conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium ion solid state batteries use traditional solid electrolytes, then safety is improved by excluding flammable electrolyte materials, but room temperature conductivity of lithium ions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solid electrolyte by incorporating perovskite oxide materials with specific ratios of A-site and B-site cations. This compositional parameter adjustment enables the electrolyte to achieve adequate ionic conductivity at room temperature while maintaining the safety advantages of solid-state systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite solid electrolyte materials combining perovskite oxide phases with other ceramic materials. This composite approach allows the electrolyte to exhibit both the safety characteristics of solid-state systems and improved ionic conductivity at room temperature through synergistic material properties.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium ion batteries use organic carbonate electrolytes, then energy density is improved, but safety deteriorates due to high flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flammable organic carbonate electrolyte component from the battery system entirely. By removing this harmful substance and replacing it with non-flammable solid perovskite oxide electrolyte, the invention achieves both safety improvement and maintained energy density through solid-state ion conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive and hazardous organic electrolyte system with a more stable, solid ceramic electrolyte that eliminates safety risks. While solid electrolytes were historically limited, the perovskite-based solution provides a durable, safe alternative that maintains operational effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If perovskite oxide phase is increased in inorganic ceramic material, then proton conductivity is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the perovskite oxide phase content to a specific range (40-80 wt%) rather than maximizing it to 100%. This parameter optimization balances proton conductivity requirements with structural stability, preventing material degradation while maintaining adequate ion transport properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite inorganic ceramic material containing perovskite oxide phase combined with other stable ceramic phases. This composite structure provides the perovskite's high proton conductivity while the additional stable phases reinforce the overall structural integrity and prevent degradation.
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 proton conducting batteries achieve fast ion conduction, high energy density, and improved safety profiles, addressing the limitations of lithium ion batteries with enhanced room temperature performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the inorganic ceramic material including less than 85 weight percent perovskite oxide phase and exhibiting a proton conductivity of 0.1 mS/cm or greater at 25 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
a process involving humidification to enhance room temperature conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are proton conducting separator materials and rechargeable proton conducing cells that employ the separator materials. The separators include an inorganic ceramic material optionally present as a predominant in the separator. The inorganic ceramic material includes less than 85 weight percent perovskite oxide phase and exhibits a proton conductivity of 0.1 mS/cm or greater at 25 degrees Celsius. Also provide are methods for forming inorganic ceramic materials with improved proton conductivity to allow them to function effectively as a separator in a rechargeable proton conducting cell.