Substituted Zirconium Phosphate Electrolyte for High-Voltage Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oxide solid electrodes in all-solid secondary batteries typically cannot maintain electronic insulation at potentials equal to or greater than 5 V, leading to self-discharge and lower operation limits.
Innovation Solution
A zirconium phosphate-based solid electrolyte is modified by substituting part of its components with elements having variable valence, such as V, Nb, Sb, Ta, Bi for zirconium, and Ge, Mo, W, Cr, Mn, Fe, Se, Te for phosphorus, to prevent electron usage in charge compensation, maintaining electronic insulation and increasing the potential window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional oxide solid electrolyte is used, then the battery structure is simple and safe, but the electronic insulation is lost at potentials ≥5V causing self-discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solid electrolyte by substituting specific elements (Ta, Nb, Mo, W, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ge, Se, or Te) into the zirconium phosphate structure. This compositional parameter change creates new electronic states (occupied impurity levels) within the band gap, fundamentally altering the electrical properties to maintain insulation at high potentials where conventional electrolytes fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solid electrolyte system by combining zirconium phosphate base material with substituted elements having variable valence. This composite structure generates occupied impurity levels that act as electron traps, preventing bulk electronic conduction and self-discharge while maintaining ionic conductivity for battery operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the upper limit of operation potential is increased, then the battery energy capacity is improved, but electronic insulation is typically lost leading to self-discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The substituted elements (Ta, Nb, Mo, W, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ge, Se, or Te) act as intermediary electron traps within the band gap structure. These impurity levels serve as intermediate energy states that capture and hold electrons, preventing them from participating in charge compensation reactions that would otherwise cause electronic conduction and self-discharge at high potentials.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the compositional parameters (substituting specific elements at controlled concentrations), the patent modifies the electronic band structure to include occupied impurity levels. This parameter change enables the electrolyte to maintain electronic insulation even when the battery operates at higher potentials that increase energy capacity.
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 modified solid electrolyte maintains electronic insulation and raises the upper limit of the potential window, preventing self-discharge and enhancing the battery's operational capacity.
Implementation Method 1
an occupied impurity level that is formed by a part of elements contained in a mobile ion-containing material being substituted and that is occupied by electrons is included in a band gap of the mobile ion-containing material
Implementation Method 2
it is possible to prevent electrons contained in an energy levels derived from zirconium or oxygen from being used for charge compensation at the time of charging and discharging
Implementation Method 3
a solid electrolyte with wide potential windows... LixTayZr2-yMzP3-zO12... mobile ion-containing material
Data Source
AI summary
A solid electrolyte, in which an occupied impurity level that is formed by a part of elements contained in a mobile ion-containing material being substituted and that is occupied by electrons is included in a band gap of the mobile ion-containing material, and an amount of charge retention per composition formula of the occupied impurity level is equal to or greater than an amount of charge retention of mobile ions per composition formula of the mobile ion-containing material.