Solid Electrolyte Membrane With Dendrite-Blocking Porous Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium dendrite growth in solid electrolyte batteries leads to short-circuits, compromising safety and durability, particularly when using lithium metal as a negative electrode active material.

Innovation Solution

A solid electrolyte membrane with a porous support member coated with a lithium dendrite growth-inhibiting material, such as metal salts like Au or Pt, embedded within an ion conductive polymeric solid electrolyte material to inhibit lithium dendrite growth and enhance physical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solid electrolyte membrane is used to ensure safety and prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but lithium dendrite growth causes short-circuits and damages the membrane

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidlithium dendrite growth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A porous coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the solid electrolyte membrane and the lithium metal negative electrode. This coating layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact and chemical reactions between lithium dendrites and the electrolyte membrane, thereby inhibiting dendrite growth and preventing membrane damage while maintaining the safety benefits of the solid electrolyte system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating layer is designed with a porous structure that allows lithium ion transport while physically blocking dendrite growth. The porous structure enables ionic conductivity necessary for battery operation while the pore walls provide mechanical barriers that prevent dendrite penetration, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and preventing dendrite-related harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If inorganic solid electrolyte is formed by integrating particle-type ion conductive materials, then ion conductivity is improved, but pores among particles allow lithium dendrite growth and short-circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion conductivityVSAvoidlithium dendrite growth in pores

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention intentionally introduces a controlled porous coating layer that serves a dual function: it maintains the high ion conductivity needed for battery performance while providing a structured porous architecture that prevents uncontrolled dendrite growth. The coating's porous structure is designed to block dendrite pathways while preserving ionic transport channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure by combining the inorganic particle-type ion conductive material with an additional porous coating layer. This composite approach allows the base electrolyte to provide high ion conductivity while the coating layer provides dendrite protection, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high ion conductivity and preventing dendrite-related short-circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If polymeric material is used as solid electrolyte, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the membrane is damaged by lithium dendrite growth

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemanufactureVSAvoidmembrane durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The porous coating layer is applied beforehand to the polymeric solid electrolyte membrane as a protective cushioning layer. This pre-applied coating provides mechanical strength and dendrite resistance to the inherently softer polymeric material, allowing the membrane to maintain its ease of manufacture benefits while gaining enhanced durability against lithium dendrite damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively inhibits lithium dendrite growth, improving the durability and life characteristics of lithium metal batteries by preventing short-circuits and enhancing ion conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

a porous sheet-like support member (131) embedded in the solid electrolyte membrane (130), and the support member (131) is at least partially surface-coated with the lithium dendrite growth-inhibiting material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLithium dendrite growth inhibition:

Implementation Method 2

the solid electrolyte membrane has an ion conductivity of 1.0 x 10^-7 to 1.0 x 10^-3 S/cm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3836274B1Electrolyte membrane for all-solid-state batteries, and method for manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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Figure 3(a)~3(d)
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a solid electrolyte membrane including a support member, such as a porous sheet, embedded in an electrolyte membrane, wherein the support member is coated with an inhibiting material for inhibiting growth of lithium dendrite. Thus, the solid electrolyte membrane has excellent physical strength, such as puncture strength, and improved durability. In addition, the solid electrolyte membrane has an effect of inhibiting lithium dendrite growth. Thus, when the solid electrolyte membrane is applied to a lithium metal battery including lithium metal as a negative electrode active material, there is provided an effect of improving the life characteristics of the battery.