Solid Electrolyte Liquid Stirring Synthesis for Scalable Battery Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commercialization of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries is hindered by the high cost, difficulty in mass production, and limited control over particle size of the solid electrolyte, which is crucial for stability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving liquid stirring of a starting material comprising monomer lithium, sulfur, and phosphorus compounds without pulverization, followed by controlled drying and heat-treatment to produce a solid electrolyte, allowing for a reaction through component collisions in a solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional solid electrolyte manufacturing methods are used, then product stability is achieved, but manufacturing cost is high and mass production is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of reactants from solid to liquid form, enabling the reaction to proceed in a liquid medium without requiring high-energy pulverization and sintering processes. This parameter change transforms a complex solid-state manufacturing process into a simpler liquid-phase synthesis that is easier to scale up while maintaining product stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pulverization and sintering system with a chemical reaction system in liquid medium. Instead of using mechanical force to mix and react solid powders, the invention uses liquid-phase chemistry where reactants dissolve and react molecularly, eliminating the need for complex mechanical processing equipment and reducing manufacturing difficulty.
2Productivity
If conventional solid electrolyte manufacturing methods are used, then product performance is maintained, but production scale is limited and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the reaction medium from solid to liquid phase, the patent enables continuous processing and easier scaling. Liquid-phase reactions can be conducted in standard reactors with controlled mixing, heating, and stirring, allowing for straightforward scale-up from laboratory to industrial production without requiring specialized equipment for solid-state processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-phase synthesis method can accommodate various reactant combinations and product compositions using the same basic reaction vessel and process steps. This universal approach allows flexible adjustment of reaction parameters (temperature, concentration, mixing rate) to produce different solid electrolyte compositions without requiring separate manufacturing lines or complex process changes.
3Reliability
If liquid electrolyte is used in lithium-ion batteries, then ease of manufacture is achieved, but safety problems occur due to overheating and fire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition by synthesizing solid electrolyte products from liquid-phase reactants. The final product is a solid material with inherent thermal stability and fire resistance, while the manufacturing process benefits from liquid-phase processing. This phase transition approach allows the product to achieve the safety characteristics of solids while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of liquid processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses readily available liquid reactants and solvents that can be easily handled, mixed, and processed using standard laboratory or industrial equipment. These liquid starting materials are inexpensive and can be disposed of or recycled more easily than specialized solid-state processing requirements, reducing both manufacturing cost and complexity while producing safe solid electrolyte products.
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
Enables the large-scale, low-cost production of solid electrolytes with varied compositions, enhancing price competitiveness and stability, while maintaining ionic conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
adding the starting material to a solvent and causing a reaction with stirring to provide a reaction product
Implementation Method 2
adding the starting material to a solvent and causing a reaction with stirring
Implementation Method 3
drying the reaction product
Implementation Method 4
heat-treating the dried reaction product
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte for an all-solid-state battery is provided by allowing a starting material to react through liquid stirring without pulverization.