Sulfur Cathode Composition With Chloride Additives for Ion Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sulfur-based cathode active materials in batteries suffer from inadequate ion conducting paths, leading to low usage and poor discharge capacity and cycle characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a specific amount of a Cl element and at least one metal element (Mn, Y, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, or Mg, In) as an add-in material in the cathode layer, improving ion transport and enhancing battery cycle characteristics and discharge capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional sulfur-based cathode active material is used in the cathode layer, then the battery structure is simple, but the ion conducting paths are insufficient leading to low usage and poor discharge capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining sulfur-based cathode active material with specific add-in materials (metal chlorides or metal sulfides) to create a composite cathode layer. This composite structure provides both ion conducting paths and electroactive sites, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving high discharge capacity. The add-in materials form a dual-functional composite that addresses ion transport deficiencies while preserving the overall battery structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically adding small amounts (1-15 mass%) of specific metal-containing materials to localized regions of the cathode layer. This localized addition creates optimal ion conducting pathways at critical interfaces without requiring complete restructuring of the entire cathode, thus improving discharge capacity while minimizing structural complexity changes.
2Reliability
If sulfur-based cathode active material is used, then the cathode structure is simple, but the cycle characteristics are poor due to insufficient ion conducting paths
Solution Approach 1:
The composite cathode layer combining sulfur-based material with metal chloride or metal sulfide add-ins creates a stable structure that maintains ion conducting paths during cycling. The add-in materials form robust interfaces that prevent degradation, improving cycle characteristics without requiring complex structural modifications to the overall battery design.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal-containing add-in materials act as intermediary substances that facilitate ion transport between the sulfur-based cathode active material and the electrolyte. These intermediaries provide stable ion conducting pathways that enhance reliability during repeated charge-discharge cycles, while their small quantities (1-15 mass%) keep the overall composition relatively simple.
3Reliability
If the add-in material content is increased to improve ion conductivity, then the ion conducting paths improve, but the cathode layer mass increases reducing energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the content of add-in materials to a specific range (1-15 mass%). This parameter optimization achieves sufficient ion conductivity improvement while minimizing the mass increase of the cathode layer. The precise control of this parameter resolves the contradiction between enhancing ion conductivity and maintaining low mass for high energy density.
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 addition of the add-in material enhances ion conductivity, resulting in improved cycle characteristics and increased discharge capacity of the battery.
Implementation Method 1
a battery with excellent cycle characteristics... shortage of ion conducting paths connecting to the sulfur-based cathode active material... the add-in material is less than 10% by mass of the cathode layer... the add-in material comprises a Cl element and at least one metal element
Data Source
AI summary
A battery with excellent cycle characteristics, the battery comprising a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer and an anode layer, wherein the cathode layer comprises a cathode active material and an add-in material; the cathode active material comprises a S element; the add-in material comprises a Cl element and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of a Mn element, a Y element, a Sn element, a V element, a Nb element and a Ta element; and the add-in material is less than 10% by mass of the cathode layer.