Vitreous Sulfide Solid Electrolyte Sheets for Dendrite-Resistant Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for high-performance lithium battery cells and components, particularly for secondary batteries with high energy density, that are resistant to lithium dendrite formation and can be manufactured in a cost-effective and scalable manner.
Innovation Solution
A standalone lithium ion-conductive sulfide solid electrolyte in the form of a freestanding, amorphous, and vitreous sulfur-based glass sheet with high lithium-ion conductivity, designed to prevent lithium dendrite penetration and integrated into battery cell manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional electrolytes are used to achieve high lithium-ion conductivity, then energy density is improved, but lithium dendrite formation occurs reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to solid, and the structural parameter from crystalline to amorphous vitreous state. This parameter transformation achieves high lithium-ion conductivity while the amorphous structure prevents dendrite formation, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solid electrolyte system combining sulfide-based glass with specific compositional ratios (e.g., Li2S-P2S5-B2O3-SiO2 system). This composite material achieves both high ionic conductivity through the sulfide glass phase and dendrite resistance through the amorphous vitreous structure and compositional optimization
2Use of energy by moving object
If high-performance battery components are manufactured using conventional methods, then energy density is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach by utilizing melt-quenching processes that can produce continuous vitreous sheets at scale. This parameter change in the manufacturing method (from batch to continuous, from crystalline to amorphous) reduces complexity and cost while maintaining high performance
Solution Approach 2:
The amorphous vitreous structure forms self-healing surfaces that automatically smooth out defects during the drawdown process. This self-service characteristic reduces the need for complex post-processing and quality control steps, simplifying manufacturing
3Volume of moving object
If solid electrolyte sheets are made thinner to improve battery energy density, then volumetric energy density increases, but mechanical strength and dendrite resistance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops composite sulfide glass compositions (e.g., Li2S-P2S5-B2O3-SiO2) where the synergistic interaction between different phases provides both thin-film mechanical integrity and dendrite resistance, enabling sheets thinner than 50 μm to maintain sufficient strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter from crystalline to amorphous vitreous state, which eliminates grain boundaries and defects that serve as dendrite pathways. The amorphous structure maintains mechanical integrity at thin dimensions while providing superior dendrite resistance compared to crystalline alternatives
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 solution provides a safe and efficient lithium metal secondary battery cell with enhanced lithium-ion conductivity and resistance to dendrite formation, enabling scalable and cost-effective production of high-performance battery components.
Implementation Method 1
a freestanding inorganic vitreous sheet of sulfide-based lithium ion conducting glass capable of high performance in a lithium metal battery by providing a high degree of lithium-ion conductivity
Implementation Method 2
the solid electrolyte sheet is devoid of continuous interconnected microscopic pathways, which, if otherwise present, could allow for through penetration of lithium metal dendrites
Data Source
AI summary
A standalone lithium ion-conductive sulfide solid electrolyte, methods of making and using the electrolyte, and battery cells and cell components incorporating the electrolyte can include a freestanding inorganic vitreous sheet of sulfide-based lithium ion conducting glass capable of high performance in a lithium metal battery by providing a high degree of lithium-ion conductivity while being highly resistant to the initiation and/or propagation of lithium dendrites. Such an electrolyte is also itself manufacturable, and readily adaptable for battery cell and cell component manufacture, in a cost-effective, scalable manner.