Surface-Treated Electrode Coating for Sulfide Electrolyte Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid sulfide electrolytes in lithium batteries are prone to deterioration when in contact with electrode materials, leading to reduced electrochemical performance and stability, with existing solutions only protecting the active material while leaving the conducting material exposed and vulnerable.
Innovation Solution
Applying a coating layer of electronic insulating and ionic conducting material on the electrodes to prevent reactions with sulfide electrolytes, while maintaining electrochemical performance, by covering at least 50% of the electrode's surface with a material having specific conductivity and thickness parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coating layer of electronic insulating and ionic conducting material is applied to protect the electrode from sulfide electrolyte reactions, then the stability and performance of the battery is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer made of electronic insulating and ionic conducting material (such as LiNbO3, Li2SiO3, Li4SiO4, Li2SiO2N, or Li3PO4) is applied to the electrode surface. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between the sulfide electrolyte and electrode materials (active material and carbon-containing electronic material), blocking harmful reactions while allowing ionic transport. The coating resolves the contradiction by providing protection without requiring complete structural redesign of the electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer parameters (thickness, composition, conductivity) are optimized to achieve the desired balance. The thickness is controlled to be sufficient for protection but thin enough to maintain electrochemical performance. The material selection provides specific electronic insulation properties while maintaining ionic conductivity, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a coating layer is applied to protect both active material and conducting material, then the durability of the electrode is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects both the active material and the carbon-containing electronic material from sulfide electrolyte reactions, provides electronic insulation, maintains ionic conductivity, and prevents electrode deterioration. This multi-functionality improves durability without requiring multiple separate protective layers, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements compared to multi-layer approaches.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the coating layer thickness is increased to improve protection, then the reaction prevention capability is improved, but the electrochemical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer thickness is optimized to a specific range that provides sufficient protection against sulfide electrolyte reactions while maintaining adequate ionic conductivity for electrochemical performance. The thickness parameter is carefully controlled to balance protection capability with electrochemical functionality, resolving the contradiction between reaction prevention and performance maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer properties (thickness, composition, conductivity) are tailored to the specific requirements of different electrode regions and materials. The local quality of the coating is optimized to provide adequate protection where needed while minimizing impact on electrochemical performance, thus balancing reaction prevention with maintained performance.
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 coating layer effectively protects both active and conducting materials, enhancing the stability and performance of lithium batteries by limiting reactions with sulfide electrolytes and widening the accessible potential window.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer made of an electronic insulator and ionic conductor material... σi represents the ionic conductivity of the electronic insulator and ionic conductor material
Implementation Method 2
a coating layer made of an electronic insulator and ionic conductor material... σe represents the electronic conductivity of the electronic insulator and ionic conductor material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrode covered, on all or part of its surface thereof, with a coating layer made of an electronically insulating and ionically conductive as well as the method for preparing said electrode. The present invention also relates to the protection of sulfur electrolytes in order to improve their stability with regard to moisture, in particular by means of a layer comprising an ionically conductive inorganic material comprising a halogen-type anion.