Solid-State Battery Anode Coating for Stable Lithium Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-solid-state batteries with graphite-based anode active materials face issues with low power output at room or low temperatures due to slow lithium ion diffusion and the formation of solid electrolyte interphase layers, which hinder lithium intercalation and deintercalation, leading to reduced battery lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The anode active material includes flake carbon fragments with a lithiophilic coating and a lithium-alloyable filling part, deposited using chemical vapor deposition, to enhance lithium ion conductivity and prevent side reactions with the solid electrolyte, thereby controlling nucleation sites and stabilizing lithium deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If graphite-based anode active material is used in all-solid-state battery, then battery structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but lithium ion diffusion is slow and solid electrolyte interphase layers form at room or low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining graphite particles with a lithiophilic coating layer and lithium-alloyable filling material. The coating layer comprises multiple materials including a lithiophilic material (e.g., silicon, germanium, tin) and other materials forming a composite structure that enhances lithium ion conductivity while maintaining manufacturability of the graphite-based anode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the surface region of graphite particles with a lithiophilic coating layer while keeping the bulk graphite structure intact. The coating layer has different properties from the core graphite material, creating a localized improvement in lithium ion conductivity at the particle surface where it is most needed for interface reactions.
2Ease of manufacture
If graphite-based anode active material is used in all-solid-state battery, then manufacturing process is simple, but battery lifespan is reduced due to solid electrolyte interphase layer formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing a lithiophilic coating layer as a mediator between the graphite particle and the solid electrolyte. This coating layer prevents direct contact and harmful reactions between the graphite and solid electrolyte, thereby preventing solid electrolyte interphase layer formation and extending battery lifespan while maintaining the simple manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If flake carbon fragments are overlapped in multiple layers, then lithium ion conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to coating and filling processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the anode active material into distinct functional components: flake carbon fragments for structural framework, coating layer for surface modification and lithium ion conduction, and filling material for internal porosity creation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall lithium ion conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies nested doll structure by placing the lithium-alloyable filling material inside the flake carbon fragments, then coating the entire particle with the lithiophilic coating layer. This nested arrangement creates a multi-layered structure where each layer is contained within or around the previous layer, optimizing lithium ion pathways while managing structural complexity.
4Reliability
If lithiophilic material is deposited on particle surface, then nucleation sites are controlled and lithium deposition is stabilized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the graphite particles with lithiophilic material before battery assembly. This preliminary surface modification creates favorable nucleation sites in advance, ensuring stable lithium deposition during battery operation without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms during manufacturing.
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
This configuration improves lithium ion conductivity and storage properties, maintaining high energy density and lifespan characteristics even at low temperatures, preventing lithium precipitation and solid electrolyte interphase layer formation.
Implementation Method 1
a coating part covering at least a portion of a surface of the particle and including a lithiophilic material... by forming an alloy or complex with lithium, can be used to control nucleation sites and stabilize Li (Li ion) deposition
Implementation Method 2
deposited using chemical vapor deposition
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an anode active material for an all-solid-state battery. The anode active material includes a particle and a coating part including a lithiophilic material deposited on the surface of the particle, and may further include a filler part deposited in the particle and including a material alloyable with lithium.