Solid Sodium-Ion Electrolytes via Mechanochemical Milling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of efficient sodium-ion conducting electrolytes is hindered by challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity and preventing dendrite formation, which limits the performance and safety of sodium-ion batteries for energy storage applications.
Innovation Solution
The synthesis of high-performance sodium ion electrolytes with the formula Nau+yNw-yMyLa7Cl3-vXv is achieved through mechanochemical milling of pure salts in an inert atmosphere, resulting in superionic conductivity with negligible electron transport, suitable for energy storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid electrolytes are used in sodium-ion batteries, then ionic conductivity can be achieved, but safety issues arise due to dendrite formation and flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the electrolyte from liquid phase to solid phase by utilizing the beta-to-alpha phase transition of Na3Zr2Si2Nb2O14 material. This phase transition enables the electrolyte to adopt a solid state with inherent dendrite suppression capabilities while maintaining high ionic conductivity through the superionic conductor phase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material design by combining multiple elements (Na, Zr, Si, Nb, O) to create a complex oxide structure with tailored properties. The composite nature of Na3Zr2Si2Nb2O14 provides both structural stability to prevent dendrite formation and high ionic conductivity pathways for sodium ion transport
2Object-generated harmful factors
If solid-state electrolytes are developed to improve safety, then dendrite formation is reduced, but achieving high ionic conductivity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by adjusting the ratios of Zr, Si, and Nb elements in Na3Zr2Si2Nb2O14. This parameter optimization creates a composition that simultaneously achieves high ionic conductivity (exceeding 1 mS/cm) and maintains structural stability for dendrite suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the beta-to-alpha phase transition in Na3Zr2Si2Nb2O14 to achieve a superionic conductor phase. This phase transition fundamentally changes the material's properties, enabling high ionic conductivity in the solid state while maintaining the structural integrity needed for dendrite suppression
3Quantity of substance
If lithium-ion batteries are used, then high energy density is achieved, but resource scarcity and high cost limit widespread adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and scarce lithium resources with abundant and inexpensive sodium resources. The Na3Zr2Si2Nb2O14 electrolyte enables sodium-ion batteries to achieve comparable performance to lithium-ion batteries while utilizing readily available sodium, significantly reducing material costs and improving ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental chemical parameter from lithium-based to sodium-based ion conduction. This parameter change enables the use of abundant sodium resources while maintaining high energy density through optimized sodium ion transport pathways in the solid-state electrolyte structure
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional synthesis methods are used for solid-state electrolytes, then material purity can be achieved, but synthesis time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional thermal processing methods with mechanochemical synthesis using high-energy ball milling. This mechanical substitution enables rapid mixing and reaction of starting materials at lower temperatures, achieving high material purity in significantly reduced synthesis time (from days to hours)
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 electrolytes exhibit fast ion motion with low electronic conductivity, enhancing safety and scalability for large-scale energy storage systems, overcoming the limitations of traditional liquid electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
The electrolytes possess superionic conductivity and display a low electronic conductivity, which ensures negligible electron transport contribution to the measured total conductivity
Implementation Method 2
The synthesis of the electrolytes is significantly faster when compared to the synthesis of lithium electrolytes and the process can be scalable to produce large amounts of electrolytes
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to the efficient and rapid synthesis of high-performance sodium ion electrolytes. The electrolytes have the general formula Nau+yNw-yMyLazCl3-vXv. The electrolytes possess superionic conductivity and display a low electronic conductivity, which ensures negligible electron transport contribution to the measured total conductivity and thereby enhancing safety when applied in energy storage devices. The synthesis of the electrolytes is significantly faster when compared to the synthesis of lithium electrolytes and the process can be scalable to produce large amounts of electrolytes.