Solid Electrolyte Anode Coating for Dendrite Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion batteries face challenges with dendrite deposition and complex device structures due to small differences in redox potentials, making fast charging difficult and indirect detection of anode states reliant on pressure or temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A lithium ion battery design featuring a cathode layer, an anode layer with a metal coating that forms a lithium compound at a higher potential than the anode active material, and a solid electrolyte layer, allowing for direct detection of anode states and high-rate charging by monitoring discharge curves and inflection points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If graphite is used as an anode active material with a polymer electrolyte, then lithium ion intercalation capacity is improved, but lithium dendrite deposition occurs and fast charging is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium ion intercalation capacityVSAvoidlithium dendrite deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A solid electrolyte layer comprising Li2SiO3 is introduced as an intermediary between the graphite anode and the electrolyte. This solid electrolyte layer acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between lithium ions and the graphite surface, thereby suppressing dendrite formation while maintaining lithium ion intercalation capacity. The Li2SiO3 layer provides a controlled interface for lithium ion transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid/polymer to solid Li2SiO3, and modifies the electrochemical parameters by selecting a solid electrolyte with specific properties (lithium ion conductivity, electrochemical stability). This parameter change enables fast charging by improving lithium ion transport kinetics while preventing dendrite deposition through the solid interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are used to detect battery state, then charge/discharge state detection is achieved, but device structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery state detectionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the pressure sensor component from the battery system. Instead of using external pressure sensors to detect battery state, the detection function is integrated directly into the battery structure through the solid electrolyte layer, which provides inherent electrochemical information about the battery state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solid electrolyte layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the electrolyte medium for lithium ion transport, provides structural support, and enables battery state detection through its electrochemical properties. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If transition metal particles are adhered to anode surface to improve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly coating the entire anode surface with transition metal particles, the invention applies the solid electrolyte layer selectively at the interface where lithium ion deposition occurs. This localized approach improves conductivity and dendrite suppression precisely where needed, without adding unnecessary complexity to the overall anode structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design suppresses dendrite deposition and enables accurate, direct detection of anode states without pressure sensors, improving charging efficiency and battery management.

Implementation Method 1

a sulfide having good lithium ion conductivity as an inorganic solid electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLithium ion conduction: Fast Ion Conductor

Implementation Method 2

graphite is capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the coating includes a metal element and has an electrochemical reaction potential with lithium that is greater than an electrochemical reaction potential of the anode active material with lithium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10168389B2All-solid secondary battery, method of controlling all-solid secondary battery and method of evaluating all-solid secondary battery

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A lithium ion secondary battery including a cathode layer, an anode layer including an anode active material and a coating including a metal element, wherein the coating is disposed on the anode active material; and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, wherein the coating has an electrochemical reaction potential with lithium that is greater than an electrochemical reaction potential of the anode active material with lithium.