Sulfide Solid Electrolyte Emulsion Processing for Fine Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing sulfide solid electrolytes do not efficiently achieve a small particle diameter, which is crucial for improving ion and electron conduction in lithium ion batteries, and lack productivity enhancements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mixing a raw material-containing matter with a first solvent to form a precursor-containing mixture, then combining it with a second incompatible solvent to create an emulsion, and removing both solvents to produce a sulfide solid electrolyte with a small particle diameter, potentially using a hydrocarbon and alcohol solvent combination for enhanced efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a solution containing solid-electrolyte raw materials and a solvent is supplied into a medium of high temperature to vaporize the solvent, then the solid electrolyte is precipitated, but the particle diameter is large and requires subsequent grinding processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent system by using two incompatible solvents instead of one. This creates an emulsion system where the precursor is dispersed in one solvent that is incompatible with the other solvent, leading to fine particle formation upon solvent removal without requiring subsequent grinding
Solution Approach 2:
The first solvent acts as an intermediary medium that disperses the precursor containing lithium atom, phosphorus atom, and sulfur atom. When the second incompatible solvent is added, it creates an emulsion system that facilitates uniform distribution and fine particle formation of the solid electrolyte upon solvent removal
2Productivity
If conventional single-solvent methods are used to produce sulfide solid electrolyte, then the production process is simple, but the particle diameter is large and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent system from a single solvent to a two-solvent incompatible system. This parameter change creates an emulsion that enables fine particle formation and eliminates the need for subsequent grinding processes, significantly improving productivity despite the increased complexity of using two solvents
3Manufacturing precision
If high temperature vaporization is used to remove solvent, then the solvent is effectively removed, but the particle diameter remains large
Solution Approach 1:
The emulsion system formed by two incompatible solvents acts as an intermediary structure that pre-establishes fine particle distribution before solvent removal. This emulsion template guides the formation of small particles during solvent evaporation, achieving fine particle diameter without requiring extreme temperature conditions
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 method effectively produces sulfide solid electrolytes with smaller particle diameters, improving ion conduction and electron conduction paths, and enhances productivity by avoiding the need for subsequent grinding processes.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the precursor-containing mixture with a second solvent that is incompatible with the first solvent to provide an emulsion
Implementation Method 2
removing the first solvent and the second solvent from the emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for producing a sulfide solid electrolyte that is superior in productivity and that has a small particle diameter. The method for producing a sulfide solid electrolyte includes mixing a raw material-containing matter that contains a lithium atom, a phosphorus atom, and a sulfur atom with a first solvent to provide a precursor-containing mixture, mixing the precursor-containing mixture with a second solvent that is incompatible with the first solvent to provide an emulsion, and removing the first solvent and the second solvent from the emulsion.