Sol-Gel Sintering Aid Mixture for Low-Temperature Solid Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sintering processes for lithium solid-state batteries require high temperatures (above 850°C) that damage sensitive materials and lead to reduced conductivity due to transition resistances and lithium vaporization, while known sintering aids do not sufficiently lower temperatures or control the process effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sintering aid mixture comprising sol-gel precursors, such as lithium aluminate, is used to reduce sintering temperatures to below 850°C, maintaining high conductivity by preventing lithium vaporization and enhancing sintering activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high sintering temperatures (above 850°C) are used to reduce transition resistance and increase conductivity, then the total conductivity of the battery component is improved, but sensitive materials (nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide, carbon compounds) are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A sintering aid mixture comprising lithium aluminate and aluminum oxide is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ceramic material and sensitive materials. This mixture enables sintering at reduced temperatures (below 850°C, preferably below 800°C) by facilitating grain boundary formation and reducing transition resistance without requiring the high temperatures that would damage nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide and carbon compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The sintering temperature parameter is changed from conventional high temperatures (above 850°C) to reduced temperatures (below 850°C, preferably below 800°C) through the addition of the sintering aid mixture. This parameter change allows the sintering process to achieve adequate densification and conductivity reduction while preserving temperature-sensitive materials
2Reliability
If high sintering temperatures (above 850°C) are used to sinter the preform, then transition resistance is reduced, but lithium vaporization occurs which lowers conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sintering aid mixture acts as a protective intermediary that enables the sintering process to proceed at lower temperatures where lithium vaporization is minimized. The mixture facilitates the sintering mechanism through alternative pathways that do not require the high thermal energy that causes lithium loss
Solution Approach 2:
The sintering aid mixture is added in advance to counteract the tendency toward lithium vaporization. By providing a lower-temperature sintering pathway, the mixture prevents the harmful effect of lithium loss before it can occur during the sintering process
3Temperature
If conventional oxide-based sintering additives are used to lower sintering temperature, then sintering temperature is reduced, but the reduction is not sufficient to prevent material damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using conventional single-component oxide-based sintering additives, a composite sintering aid mixture is employed comprising lithium aluminate and aluminum oxide in specific proportions. This composite formulation provides synergistic effects that enable more effective temperature reduction (below 850°C, preferably below 800°C) compared to conventional additives alone
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition parameter of the sintering aid is changed from conventional oxide-based additives to a specific mixture of lithium aluminate and aluminum oxide. This compositional change enables the sintering temperature to be reduced to a range (below 850°C) that prevents damage to sensitive materials
4Ease of operation
If lithium-free sintering additives are used to control sintering, then sintering process control is improved, but lithium vaporization is enhanced which reduces conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sintering aid mixture serves as a lithium-containing intermediary that facilitates sintering process control while simultaneously preventing lithium vaporization. The lithium aluminate and aluminum oxide components work together to provide both process controllability and lithium retention at reduced temperatures
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 sintering aid mixture lowers sintering temperatures by at least 50°C to 300°C, maintaining or increasing conductivity, and ensures densification without damaging sensitive materials.
Implementation Method 1
comprising at least one sol-gel precursor and/or at least one sol-gel direct precursor which is produced from at least one sol-gel precursor
Implementation Method 2
for sintering solid-state ion conductors, electrode materials, or the like for solid-state batteries
Data Source
AI summary
A sintering aid mixture for sintering solid-state ion conductors, electrode materials, or the like for solid-state batteries is provided. The mixture includes at least one sol-gel precursor and/or at least one sol-gel direct precursor produced from at least one sol-gel precursor.