Solid Electrolyte Oxide for Battery Safety and Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries with liquid electrolytes pose safety concerns due to moisture exposure, and existing solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries have limited high-ionic conductivity at room temperature.

Innovation Solution

A method to prepare an oxide with high ionic conductivity and improved lithium stability, represented by compounds such as Li1−x+y−zTa2−xMxP1−yQyO8−zXz or Li1−x+yTa2−xMxP1−yQyO8.zLiX, involving elements like tantalum, phosphorus, and halogens or pseudohalogens, which are synthesized through a heat-treatment process of precursor mixtures in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If liquid electrolyte is used in lithium secondary batteries, then electrochemical capacity and operating potential are improved, but safety deteriorates due to ignition risk on moisture exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical capacityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the flammable liquid electrolyte environment with a solid electrolyte environment that is inherently safer and less reactive with moisture, creating an 'inert' chemical environment that maintains electrochemical performance while eliminating ignition risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite solid electrolyte materials combining multiple elements (Li, Ta, M, P, Q, X) to achieve both high ionic conductivity and improved lithium stability, resolving the contradiction between performance and safety through material composition optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If solid electrolyte is used to improve safety, then reliability is improved, but ionic conductivity at room temperature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies compositional parameters (x, y, z values in the chemical formula) and heat treatment parameters (temperature, atmosphere, time) to optimize the solid electrolyte's ionic conductivity while maintaining its safety advantages, achieving room temperature performance through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite solid electrolyte materials with specific element combinations and ratios to achieve both high ionic conductivity and safety, resolving the contradiction through sophisticated material design rather than simple substitution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If lithium stability is improved in solid electrolyte, then electrochemical stability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary heat treatment of precursor mixtures in oxidizing atmospheres before final device assembly, pre-forming the solid electrolyte with desired compositional stability and reducing subsequent manufacturing steps' complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes heat treatment parameters (temperature ranges, atmospheric conditions, treatment durations) to achieve lithium stability through controlled parameter variations, making the manufacturing process more predictable and controllable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resulting oxide enhances lithium ion conductivity and stability, reducing internal resistance and improving the performance of electrochemical devices like batteries, while maintaining low electronic conductivity and stability across a wide voltage range.

Implementation Method 1

heat-treating the precursor mixture in an oxidizing gas atmosphere to prepare the oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 2

heat-treating the precursor mixture in an oxidizing gas atmosphere to prepare the oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS11575152B2Oxide, preparation method thereof, solid electrolyte including the oxide, and electrochemical device including the oxide

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An oxide includes a compound represented by Formula 1, a compound represented by Formula 2, or a combination thereof:Li1−x+y−zTa2−xMxP1−yQyO8−zXz Formula 1wherein, in Formula 1,M is an element having an oxidation number of 5+ or 6+,Q is an element having an oxidation number of 4+,X is a halogen atom, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof,0≤x<0.6, 0≤y<1, and 0≤z<1, wherein x and y are not 0 at the same time,Li1−x+yTa2−xMxP1−yQyO8.zLiX Formula 2wherein, in Formula 2,M is an element having an oxidation number of 5+ or 6+,Q is an element having an oxidation number of 4+,X is a halogen atom, a pseudohalogen or a combination thereof,0≤x<0.6, 0≤y<1, and 0≤z<1, wherein x and y are not 0 at the same time, andwherein in Formulas 1 and 2, M, Q, x, y, and z are independently selected.