Boosting Solid-State Batteries with a Capacitor Interlayer

This patent describes a solid-state battery design that includes a special capacitor-like layer between the main battery parts to improve performance and stability.

What it covers

The patent details a solid-state battery cell (Claim 1) that includes an anode, a cathode, and a solid-state electrolyte layer between them. The key feature is a "capacitor assisted interlayer" (Claim 1) placed between either the anode and the solid-state electrolyte (Claim 2) or the cathode and the solid-state electrolyte (Claim 3), or both (Claim 4). This interlayer is designed to be in "intimate contact" with both surfaces (Claim 2). It is made from specific materials like polymer-based compounds (e.g., polyethylene oxide with LiTFSI), inorganic compounds (e.g., Li2S-P2S5-P2O5), or hybrid materials (Claim 6, 7), and crucially, it contains a capacitor anode or cathode active material (Claim 5, 12). For example, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery could have this interlayer between its anode and the solid-state electrolyte, where the interlayer itself contains activated carbon as a capacitor anode active material (Claim 11, 12).

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover solid-state batteries that do not include a capacitor-assisted interlayer between an electrode and the solid-state electrolyte layer (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover interlayers that are purely separators and do not contain a capacitor anode or cathode active material (Claim 9, 6, 7).
• —Does not cover a capacitor-assisted interlayer that is not in intimate contact with both the electrode and the solid-state electrolyte layer (Claim 2, 3, 4).
• —Does not cover batteries that rely solely on liquid electrolytes without the specified solid-state components and interlayer (Claim 10 implies a hybrid, but the core is solid-state).
• —Does not cover capacitor-assisted interlayers that do not include at least one of the specified polymer-based, inorganic, or polymer-inorganic hybrid materials (Claim 6, 7).

The clever bit

The novelty lies in integrating a capacitor-like layer directly into the battery's interface. This "capacitor assisted interlayer" (Claim 1) acts as a buffer, potentially improving ion transport, reducing interfacial resistance, and enhancing the stability and lifespan of the solid-state battery by managing charge flow at critical junctions.

Why it matters

Solid-state batteries are a promising technology for electric vehicles and portable electronics, offering potential improvements in safety, energy density, and charging speed compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. A major challenge in solid-state batteries is the interface between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes, which can lead to high resistance and poor performance. This patent addresses this issue by introducing a specialized interlayer to improve ion transport and overall battery stability, which is crucial for making these advanced batteries practical for widespread use.

Real-world examples

• 1.Electric vehicle battery packs
• 2.High-performance portable electronic devices
• 3.Grid energy storage systems
• 4.Drones and aerial vehicles