Solid Electrolyte Separator Isolates LTO Anode to Prevent Gassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes experience gassing issues due to reactions at the LTO-electrolyte interphase layer, leading to pressure buildup, potential ignition risks, and degradation in power density and cycle stability, especially at elevated temperatures, which existing additives like flame retardants fail to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A lithium-ion battery design featuring a solid electrolyte separator that is impermeable to non-solid electrolytes, separating the non-solid electrolyte from LTO particles to prevent reduction and gassing, using polymer or inorganic solid electrolyte materials to form an interphase layer between the anode and cathode, thereby isolating the non-solid electrolyte and reducing gassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If liquid electrolyte is used in LTO-based lithium-ion battery, then ionic conductivity is improved, but gassing occurs due to reduction reaction at interphase layer
Solution Approach 1:
A solid electrolyte coating layer is applied to the LTO particles to serve as an intermediary barrier. This coating prevents direct contact between the liquid electrolyte and LTO particles, thereby eliminating the reduction reaction that causes gassing while still allowing ionic conduction to proceed through the solid electrolyte layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid at the anode interface. By using solid electrolyte particles or coating in contact with LTO particles, the system transforms the electrolyte phase to prevent reduction reactions while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid phase.
2Reliability
If flame retardant additives are added to electrolyte to reduce flammability, then safety is improved, but cell performance is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic liquid electrolyte from direct contact with the LTO anode by introducing a solid electrolyte barrier. This eliminates the need for flame retardant additives while preventing gassing and improving both safety and performance simultaneously.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon or ceramic coatings are applied to LTO to reduce gassing, then gassing is reduced at interphase layer, but effectiveness is lost at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solid electrolyte materials that combine the benefits of ceramic coatings (gassing reduction) with enhanced thermal stability. The solid electrolyte coating maintains its protective function at elevated temperatures where conventional carbon or ceramic coatings fail, providing both gassing reduction and temperature stability.
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 prevents gassing in lithium-ion batteries, enhancing their stability and suitability for high-temperature environments by isolating the non-solid electrolyte from the LTO particles, thus improving power density and cycle stability while reducing the risk of ignition.
Implementation Method 1
The solid electrolyte separator is in direct contact with and between the anode and cathode, and is configured to prevent reduction of the non-solid electrolyte by isolating the non-solid electrolyte from the LTO particles
Implementation Method 2
anode including lithium titanate (LTO) particles and solid electrolyte particles configured to form an interphase layer therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
According to one or more embodiments, a lithium-ion battery includes an anode including lithium titanate (LTO) particles and solid electrolyte particles configured to form an interphase layer therebetween, a cathode including an active material, electronic conductor, and a non-solid electrolyte; and an ionically conductive and liquid-impermeable solid electrolyte separator. The solid electrolyte separator is in direct contact with and between the anode and cathode, and is configured to prevent reduction of the non-solid electrolyte by isolating the non-solid electrolyte from the LTO particles.