Solid-State Iron-Air Battery with Leak-Blocking Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature molten salt iron-air batteries face challenges such as liquid electrolyte volatility, electrode instability, and safety hazards due to semi-open structures, limiting their application in large-scale energy storage.
Innovation Solution
An all-solid-state iron-air battery design featuring a ferrate negative electrode, a redox-active positive electrode, an oxygen-ion conducting solid electrolyte, and an electronic-insulating separator, which maintains structural integrity and prevents electric leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If liquid molten salt is used as electrolyte to enable high-temperature operation, then electrochemical reaction rate and energy utilization are improved, but electrolyte volatility and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid by using a solid oxide material (doped cerium oxide or doped lanthanum gallate) instead of liquid molten salt. This parameter change maintains oxygen ion conductivity at high temperatures while eliminating the volatility and safety hazards associated with liquid electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures including the solid electrolyte combined with ferrite-based positive electrode materials and iron oxide-based negative electrode materials. These composite materials enable high-temperature operation with improved structural stability and reduced electrolyte degradation compared to liquid molten salt systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid electrolyte is used to eliminate electrolyte volatility, then safety is improved, but Ce ion reduction and electric leakage occur at high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective coating layer (such as aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, or calcium oxide) as an intermediary between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact and reduces the reduction of Ce ions at the electrode-electrolyte interface, thereby minimizing electric leakage while maintaining ionic conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition and oxidation state parameters of the solid electrolyte by using doped cerium oxide or doped lanthanum gallate with controlled oxygen vacancy concentrations. This parameter optimization maintains high ionic conductivity while reducing the tendency for Ce ion reduction at operating voltages above 1V.
3Ease of manufacture
If iron oxide is simply mixed with CGO powder in the negative electrode, then manufacturing is simplified, but redox reaction activity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials for the negative electrode by combining iron oxide with doped cerium oxide or doped lanthanum gallate in specific ratios and structures. This composite structure enhances the redox reaction activity of iron oxide while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional mixing and sintering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating specific microstructures or surface modifications in the negative electrode where iron oxide contacts the solid electrolyte. This localized optimization of contact interfaces improves redox reaction activity without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire electrode.
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 battery achieves improved energy density, reduced internal resistance, enhanced safety, and prolonged lifespan by stabilizing the redox reaction and preventing electrolyte volatilization, suitable for large-scale energy storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
the solid electrolyte is an electrolyte material capable of efficiently conducting oxygen ions
Implementation Method 2
the negative electrode is a ferrate material formed from an alkali metal-doped iron oxide
Implementation Method 3
the positive electrode is a metal or a metal oxide material with an efficient redox catalytic activity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an all-solid-state iron-air battery, which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator and a solid electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the solid electrolyte; the separator is arranged between the negative electrode and the solid electrolyte to form a sandwich structure; the negative electrode is a ferrate material formed from an alkali metal-doped iron oxide; the positive electrode is a metal or a metal oxide material with an efficient redox catalytic activity; the solid electrolyte is an electrolyte material capable of efficiently conducting oxygen ions; and the separator is a film-like or sheet-like material having oxygen ion conduction and electronic insulation performances. According to the all-solid-state iron-air battery of the present invention, in the negative electrode, by introducing the alkali metal into an iron oxide crystal lattice by means of doping, the electrochemical reaction activity of the iron electrode can be remarkably improved, the potential safety hazard problem caused by battery overcharging is improved, and the performance of the iron-air battery is remarkably improved; and the separator is arranged between the solid electrolyte and the negative electrode, such that the battery electric leakage problem can be effectively relieved.