SUMMARY
A one-pot method synthesizes a hybrid sulfide–polymer composite by crosslinking Li3PS4 with an organic polymer – yielding a flexible, durable electrolyte with excellent ionic conductivity for use in lithium metal batteries.
The Unmet Need: Scalable strategies that effectively integrate organic and inorganic components to produce materials that maintain high ionic conductivity and offer improved mechanical resilience under the stresses encountered during battery operation
Solid-state battery technology is advancing rapidly due to the growing need for safer, higher energy density storage solutions. Lithium metal batteries have attracted significant attention as next-generation energy storage for electric vehicles and grid applications. However, their potential is hindered by challenges associated with the electrolyte component, which must combine high ionic conductivity with sufficient mechanical robustness.
Current electrolyte materials, especially those based on sulfide compounds, encounter critical issues related to mechanical integrity. During battery cycling, these materials often experience significant volume changes, leading to fractures and degradation of performance over time. Current approaches for fabricating solid-state electrolytes typically result in brittle structures that cannot adequately absorb mechanical stresses, contributing to premature failure of battery systems. Moreover, the complex, multi-step synthesis processes currently employed create scalability and reproducibility challenges, limiting the commercialization of these promising energy storage solutions.
The Proposed Solution: A one-pot, in-situ synthesis that concurrently forms the inorganic and organic phases
This technology employs a one-pot synthesis approach to create a sulfide-polymer composite material where Li2S and P2S5 react in a 3:1 ratio in tetrahydrofuran, forming Li3PS4 while simultaneously crosslinking an added dichloride-derived polymer via P–S–C bonds.
The process results in a versatile material that can take the form of a dry powder or a polymer gel. Comprehensive characterization through techniques such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, solid-state NMR, and nanoindentation confirms that the material not only retains comparable ionic conductivity to pristine Li3PS4 but also exhibits significantly reduced brittleness and an elastic modulus lowered by a factor of three.
This technology is differentiated by its streamlined, single-step synthesis process, which contrasts with more complex, multi-step methods. The ability to directly incorporate organic crosslinkers into the inorganic matrix achieves enhanced mechanical durability while ensuring prolonged cycle lifetimes for battery applications. This unique chemical integration results in a mechanically robust, processable solid-state electrolyte capable of withstanding volume changes during battery operation, offering significant advantages for next-generation energy storage systems.
ADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
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Single-step in-situ synthesis: Single process simplifies manufacturing compared to multi-step methods
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Enhanced mechanical durability: Covalent P–S–C bond formation markedly reduces the brittleness and elastic modulus (from 16 GPa to 5.8 GPa) of the electrolyte, resulting in a cycle lifetime that is five times longer than conventional pristine Li3PS4 materials
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Preserved ionic conductivity: Composite maintains ionic conductivity similar to pristine Li3PS4, overcoming the common trade-off seen in traditional solid-state electrolytes where enhanced stability is often associated with reduced ionic performance
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Material form flexibility: Production of materials ranging from dry powders to polymer gels, which can be reprocessed into pellets or films, offering versatile form factors compared to the rigid structures typically produced by standard sulfide electrolyte synthesis methods
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Broad applicability and scalability: Process is adaptable to diverse battery systems (including Li and Na chemistries), providing a scalable and versatile platform that surpasses the limitations of more narrowly focused traditional electrolyte manufacturing techniques
APPLICATIONS
- Lithium metal battery electrolyte
- Sodium metal battery electrolyte
- Flexible composite electrolyte films
PUBLICATIONS
March 14, 2025
Proof of concept
Patent Pending
Licensing,Co-development
Chibueze Amanchukwu