Shape-Memory Solid-State Battery Stack for Delamination Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state batteries face challenges with interfacial delamination and mechanical/chemical degradation due to volume changes of anode and cathode during charging and discharging, leading to lost contact area and internal short circuits.
Innovation Solution
A self-healing solid-state battery configuration utilizing shape-memory polymer (SMP) based nanocomposites with ionomers like Nafion and a gradient or double-layer solid electrolyte separator, which includes stable oxide and sulfide materials, to restore the original shape and contact between layers, mitigating delamination and degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If solid-state batteries use rigid electrode layers and solid electrolyte separator, then structural stability is improved, but interfacial delamination occurs due to volume changes during charging and discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the binder from rigid to flexible by using a polymer binder with elastomeric properties. This allows the electrode structure to accommodate volume changes during charging and discharging while maintaining interfacial contact, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and interfacial contact reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite binder system combining polymer materials with elastomeric properties and conductive additives. This composite structure provides both mechanical flexibility to prevent delamination and electrical conductivity to maintain battery function, simultaneously addressing structural stability and interfacial contact requirements.
2Reliability
If solid-state batteries use flexible polymer binders, then interfacial contact is maintained during volume changes, but electrical conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite binder formulation that integrates polymer matrix with conductive fillers such as carbon black, graphene, or metal particles. The polymer phase maintains flexible interfacial contact while the conductive filler network preserves electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating functions within the binder: the polymer matrix provides mechanical flexibility and contact maintenance, while dispersed conductive particles localized within the matrix provide electrical conductivity pathways. This functional differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexible contact and electrical performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If solid-state batteries use oxide-based solid electrolyte, then electrochemical stability is improved, but contact area is lost due to mechanical degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the electrode-binder system by using flexible polymer binders and elastomeric structures that can deform to accommodate volume changes. This prevents mechanical degradation at the oxide electrolyte interface, maintaining contact area while preserving the electrochemical stability of the oxide-based solid electrolyte.
4Stability of the object's composition
If solid-state batteries use high ionomer content for binder, then mechanical stability is improved, but ionic conductivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ionomer content parameter to achieve a balance between mechanical stability and ionic conductivity. By using polymer binders with elastomeric properties and controlling the concentration and distribution of ionomer, the patent maintains sufficient mechanical stability while preserving adequate ionic conductivity for battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating ionomer in specific regions where mechanical stability is most needed, while maintaining lower ionomer content in regions where ionic conductivity is critical. This spatial differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both mechanical stability and ionic conductivity.
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 self-healing battery maintains interfacial contact and prevents delamination, enhancing the mechanical stability and longevity of the battery by using shape-memory ionomers to reset the electrode stack to its original shape upon heating, thus improving cycle life and preventing internal short circuits.
Implementation Method 1
One of the first ionomer and the second ionomer includes a shape-memory ionomer configured for selectively restoring the electrode stack to an original shape
Implementation Method 2
The solid electrolyte separator layer includes a first sub-layer applied to the first layer of material and including lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO), lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (LLTO), lithium germanium vanadium oxide, lithium nitrides, lithium halides, or lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP)
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode stack for a solid-state battery is provided. The electrode stack includes a cathode. The cathode includes a cathode current collector and a first layer of material applied to the cathode current collector. The first layer of material includes a cathode active material, a first ionomer configured as a first binder, and a conductive material. The electrode stack further includes a solid electrolyte separator layer, including a second ionomer configured as a second binder. The electrode stack further includes an anode including a layer including lithium metal, silicon, or graphite and an anode current collector. One of the first ionomer and the second ionomer includes a shape-memory ionomer configured for selectively restoring the electrode stack to an original shape.