Solid Electrolyte Surface Stress Engineering Against Dendrites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face issues with dendrite penetration and mechanical fracture in solid electrolytes due to residual tensile stress, leading to short circuits and thermal runaway, which existing surface coatings struggle to address effectively, especially in large-scale applications.
Innovation Solution
Introducing residual compressive stress to the surface region of solid electrolytes through ion implantation, creating distinct ion-implanted regions to enhance mechanical strength and prevent dendrite penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If surface coatings are applied to prevent dendrite penetration, then mechanical strength is improved, but surface chemistry stability is compromised and battery performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical surface coatings with a physical/mechanical solution by introducing residual compressive stress through ion implantation. This stress field passively resists dendrite penetration mechanically without requiring chemical stability, thus avoiding the degradation issues associated with surface coatings while maintaining mechanical strength enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stress state parameter of the solid electrolyte from tensile to compressive through ion implantation. By modifying the residual stress parameter in the near-surface region, the material gains enhanced resistance to dendrite penetration and mechanical fracture without introducing foreign coating layers that could chemically interact with the electrode.
2Manufacturing precision
If high external stack pressures are applied to achieve near-conformal contact between anode and solid electrolyte, then contact quality is improved, but device complexity and practical applicability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing residual compressive stress during the solid electrolyte fabrication process itself, rather than requiring continuous external pressure during battery operation. This pre-established stress field provides ongoing mechanical support and maintains contact quality without the need for complex pressure application systems during device operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If residual tensile stress is present in solid electrolyte, then material formation is simplified, but mechanical fracture resistance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing residual compressive stress that counteracts the harmful tensile stress and dendrite penetration forces. The compressive stress field is established in advance through ion implantation to prevent mechanical fracture and dendrite growth, effectively creating a protective stress environment that opposes the damaging tensile stresses inherent in conventional solid electrolyte fabrication.
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 method significantly increases the resistance to dendrite penetration and mechanical weakness, allowing for higher current densities without impairing ion transport, thereby enhancing battery performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the solid electrolyte material to ion implantation by accelerating ions towards a surface of the solid electrolyte at a first ion energy and a first ion fluence
Data Source
AI summary
Improved solid electrolyte materials and methods of treating solid electrolyte materials to yield improved solid electrolyte material are described. The improved solid electrolyte material includes one or more near surface regions to which compressive stress is applied via ion implantation in order to strengthen the solid electrolyte material against, e.g., anode material dendrite penetration. Methods of treating the solid electrolyte material include subjecting the solid electrolyte material to ion implantation to thereby create a first and second region having ions implanted therein. The ion fluence in the second region may be greater than the ion fluence in the first region.