Patent Application
20230140434
Described are a solid material which has ionic conductivity for lithium ions, a process for preparing said solid material, a use of said solid material as a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical cell, a solid structure selected from the group consisting of a cathode, an anode and a separator for an electrochemical cell comprising the solid material, and an electrochemical cell comprising such solid structure.
Due to the wide-spread use of all-solid-state lithium batteries, there is an increasing demand for solid state electrolytes having a high conductivity for lithium ions. An important class of such solid electrolytes are lithium transition metal halides. Such solid electrolytes are disclosed e.g. in US 2019/0088995 A1, WO 2019/135343 A1 and WO 2019/135345 A1.
Related art is also EP 1 049 183 A1 and US 2019/088995 A1
There is an ongoing need for lithium ion conductors which exhibit suitable ionic conductivity for application as solid electrolyte in an all-solid-state lithium battery, as well as electrochemical oxidative stability up to 4 V vs. Li/Li+ or more, preferably up to 4.5 V vs. Li/Li+, in order to enable application of cathode active materials having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ (cathode active material of the “4 V class”), so that a high cell voltage is obtainable.
The publication “Site-Occupation-Tuned Superionic LixScCl3+x Halide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Batteries” by Liang et al., (J. Am. Chem. Soc., DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c00134, Publication Date (Web): 26 Mar. 2020) discloses solid electrolytes LixScCl3+x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4) based on the cubic close-packed anion sublattice. When x≥2.5, the XRD patterns can be indexed well with Li3ScCl6 (C2/m, ICSD No. 04-009-8885) which is a monoclinic structure. According to said publication, due to a low eutectic temperature between LiCl and ScCl3, LixScCl3+x can be synthesized by a simple co-melting strategy. Further details of the material synthesis are not given.
In April 2020, a “Supporting Information” related to the above-mentioned paper was published online which provides complete experimental details, electrochemical/interface stability calculation, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, supplementary figures and tables.
It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a solid material which may be used as a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical cell. In addition, there is provided a process for preparing said solid material, a use of said solid material as a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical cell, a solid structure selected from the group consisting of a cathode, an anode and a separator for an electrochemical cell comprising the solid material, and an electrochemical cell comprising such solid structure, wherein said solid structure comprises said solid material.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I)
LiaAX4 (I)
wherein
X is one or more selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I
(a) A is M1bM2c
(b) A is M1dM3e
As used herein “tri-valent” means that in the solid material according to general formula (I) the metals M1 and—if present—M2 are in the oxidation state +3, and “di-valent” means that in the solid material according to general formula (I) the metal M3 is in the oxidation state +2.
In formula (I), X is either one selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I, or X is more than one selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I so that the sum of all X is 4. Preferably X is one selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I, preferably Cl.
When A is M1bM2c as defined above, M1 is a first trivalent metal and M2 is a second trivalent metal different from M1, or M1 is a trivalent metal, and M2 is not present. M1 and—if present—M2 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). Preferably, M1 and M2 are different trivalent metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, or M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, and M2 is not present.
When A is M1bM2c as defined above, the following definitions apply to formula (I) as defined above
0.1≤b≤0.8, preferably 0.1 to 0.7
0≤c≤0.7
0.6≤(b+c)≤0.8, preferably 0.6 to 0.75, more preferably 0.65 to 0.7
a=4−3(b+c)
When A is M1dM3e as defined above, M1 is a trivalent metal and M3 is a divalent metal.
M1 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). M3 may be selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and Zn (magnesium, calcium and zinc). Preferably M1 is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, and M3 is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Zn.
When A is M1dM3e as defined above, the following definitions apply to formula (I) as defined above
0.3≤d≤0.8, preferably 0.4≤d≤0.8, more preferably 0.46≤d≤0.78, and
0.2≤e≤0.7, preferably 0.2≤e≤0.55, more preferably 0.22≤e≤0.52
0.9≤(d+e)≤1.1, preferably 0.95≤(d+e)≤ to 1.05, more preferably 0.98≤(d+e)≤1.02.
a=4−3d−2e.
Irrespective of the selection of A, X is preferably Cl.
When A is M1bM2c as defined above, a solid material according to the first aspect described herein has a composition according to formula (Ia)
LiaM1bM2cX4 (Ia)
wherein
0.6≤b≤0.8
0≤c≤0.7
a=4−3b,
M1 is a first trivalent metal, M2—if present—is a second trivalent metal different from M1, and X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I.
In certain cases, a solid material according to the first aspect as disclosed herein has a composition according to formula (Ia)
LiaM1bM2cX4 (Ia)
wherein
0.6≤b≤0.8;
c=0;
a=4−3b,
M1 is a first trivalent metal, M2 is not present, and X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I.
Thus formula (Ia) may be rewritten as formula (Ia′)
LiaM1bX4 (Ia′)
wherein M1, X, a and b are as defined above.
M1 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium in each case in the oxidation state +3). Preferably, M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y.
Preferably, X is Cl.
Further preferably, M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, and X is Cl. For instance, M1 is Sc and X is Cl, or M1 is In and X is Cl.
Preferably, 0.6≤b≤0.75, more preferably, 0.65≤b≤0.7.
Further preferably, 0.65≤b≤0.7, M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, and X is Cl. Still further preferably, 0.65≤b≤0.7, M is Sc and X is Cl.
Exemplary solid materials having a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0 (i.e. solid materials having a composition according to formula (Ia′)) are:
Li2.08Sc0.64Cl4
Li2Sc2/3Cl4
Li1.9Sc0.7Cl4
Li2In2/3Cl4.
In certain other cases a solid material according to the first aspect as disclosed herein has a has a composition according to formula (Ia)
LiaM1bM2cX4 (Ia)
wherein
0.1≤b≤0.7;
0.1≤c≤0.7;
0.6≤(b+c)≤0.8;
a=4−3b,
M1 is a first trivalent metal, M2 is a second trivalent metal different from M1, and X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I.
M1 and M2 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). Preferably, M1 and M2 are different trivalent metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y.
Preferably, X is Cl.
Further preferably, M1 and M2 are different trivalent metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, and X is Cl. For instance, M1 is Sc, M2 is In and X is Cl.
Preferably
0.1≤b≤0.6, more preferably 0.1≤b≤0.58, and
0.1≤c≤0.6, and
0.6≤(b+c)≤0.75, more preferably 0.65≤(b+c)≤0.7.
For instance, M1 is Sc, M2 is In, X is Cl, 0.1≤b≤0.6, 0.1≤c≤0.6, and 0.6≤(b+c)≤0.75.
For instance, M1 is Sc, M2 is In, X is Cl, 0.1≤b≤0.58, 0.1≤c≤0.58, and 0.65≤(b+c)≤0.7.
Exemplary solid materials having a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein
0.1≤c≤0.7 are
Li2In0.555Sc0.111Cl4(Li2In5/9Sc1/9Cl4)
Li2In0.444Sc0.222Cl4(Li2In4/9Sc2/9Cl4)
Li2In0.333Sc0.333Cl4(Li2In1/3Sc1/3Cl4)
Li2In0.222Sc0.444Cl4(Li2In2/9Sc4/9Cl4)
Li2In0.111Sc0.555Cl4(Li2In1/9Sc5/9Cl4).
In yet other cases a solid material according to the first aspect as defined herein has a composition according to formula (I) as defined above, wherein A is M1dM3e as defined above. Thus, the solid material has a composition according to formula (Ib)
LiaM1dM3eX4 (Ib)
wherein
0.3≤d≤0.8,
0.2≤e≤0.7,
0.9≤(d+e)≤1.1,
a=4−3d−2e,
M1 is a trivalent metal, M3 is a divalent metal, and X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br and I.
M1 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium in each case in the oxidation state +3). Preferably, M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y.
M3 may be selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and Zn (magnesium, calcium and zinc).
Preferably, X is Cl.
Further preferably, M1 is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, M3 is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Zn, and X is Cl. For instance, M1 is Sc, M3 is Mg and X is Cl, or M1 is In, M3 is Mg and X is Cl.
Preferably
0.35≤d≤0.8, more preferably 0.4≤d≤0.8, further preferably 0.46≤d≤0.78, and
0.2≤e≤0.65, more preferably 0.2≤e≤0.55, further preferably 0.22≤e≤0.52, and
0.9≤(d+e)≤1.1, more preferably 0.95≤(d+e)≤ to 1.05, further preferably 0.98≤(d+e)≤1.02.
For instance, M1 is Sc, M3 is Mg and X is Cl, and 0.35≤d≤0.8, 0.2≤e≤0.65 and 0.9≤(d+e)≤1.1.
For instance, M1 is Sc, M3 is Mg and X is Cl, and 0.4≤d≤0.8, 0.2≤e≤0.55 and 0.95≤(d+e)≤1.05.
For instance, M1 is Sc, M3 is Mg and X is Cl, and 0.46≤d≤0.78, 0.2≤e≤0.52 and 0.98≤(d+e)≤1.02.
Exemplary solid materials having a composition according to formula (Ib) are
Li1.65Mg0.65Sc0.35Cl4(Li1.65Sc0.35Mg0.65Cl4)
Li1.5Mg0.5Sc0.5Cl4(Li1.5Sc0.5Mg0.5Cl4)
Li1.35Mg0.35Sc0.65Cl4(Li1.35Sc0.65Mg0.35C4)
Li1.3Mg0.3Sc0.7Cl4(Li1.3Sc0.7Mg0.3Cl4)
Li1.25Mg0.25Sc0.75Cl4(Li1.25Sc0.75Mg0.25Cl4).
Li1.65Mg0.65In0.35Cl4(Li1.65In0.35Mg0.65Cl4)
Surprisingly it has been found that solid materials having a composition according to general formula (I) as defined above may exhibit favorable lithium ion conductivity as well as electrochemical oxidation stability in contact with a cathode active material having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+, and also in contact with electron-conducting materials comprising or consisting of elemental carbon (e.g. carbon black, graphite) which are typical electrode additives in electrochemical cells. This is an important advantage over state-of-the-art solid electrolytes which contain sulfur.
A solid material according to the above-defined first aspect may be crystalline as detectable by the X-ray diffraction technique. A solid material is referred to as crystalline when it exhibits a long range order that is characteristic of a crystal, as indicated by the presence of clearly defined reflections in its X-ray diffraction pattern. In this context, a reflection is considered as clearly defined if its intensity is more than 10% above the background.
A solid material according to the above-defined first aspect may consist of a single phase or of more than one phase, e.g. a main phase (primary phase) and minor amounts of impurities and secondary phases. It is understood that formula (I) is an empirical formula (gross formula) as determinable by means of elemental analysis. Accordingly, formula (I) defines a composition which is averaged over all phases present in the solid material. However, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect comprises at least one phase which as such has a composition according to formula (I). In case a crystalline solid material according to the above-defined first aspect contains more than one phase, than the weight fraction of phases which as such do not have a composition according to formula (I) (e.g. impurity phases, secondary phases) is so small that the composition averaged over all phases is according to formula (I). The total weight fraction of secondary phases and impurity phases may be 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, further preferably 5% or less, most preferably 3% or less, based on the total weight of the solid material.
If present, the secondary phases and impurity phases mainly consist of the precursors used for preparing the solid material, e.g. LiX and MX3 (wherein X and M are as defined above), and sometimes impurity phases which may originate from impurities of the precursors. For details of preparing a solid material according to the above defined first aspect, see the information provided below in the context of the second aspect disclosure.
In certain cases, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect is in the form of a polycrystalline powder, or in the form of single crystals.
A crystalline solid material according to the above-defined first aspect may comprise or consist of a phase having a spinel structure characterized by the cubic space group Fd-3 m, wherein said spinel structure exhibits a disordered lithium ion distribution over available tetrahedral and octahedral sites within the lattice.
The phase having said spinel structure may be present in an amount of 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, further preferably 95% or more, most preferably 98% or more, based on the total weight of the solid material (including secondary phases and impurity phases).
The spinel structure is determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements as generally known in the art. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were conducted at room temperature on a PANalytical Empyrean diffractometer with Cu-Kα radiation that was equipped with a PIXcel bidimensional detector. XRD patterns are obtained in Debye-Scherrer geometry, with samples sealed in 0.5 mm (diameter) glass capillaries under argon. XRD patterns for phase identification are obtainable in Bragg-Brentano geometry, with sample placed on a zero-background sample holder in an Ar-filled glovebox and protected by Kapton film.
Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is presently assumed that the disordered spinel structure provides for a significantly disordered Li+ ion distribution over available tetrahedral and octahedral sites within the lattice so that solid materials having a composition according to general formula (I) may provide favourable conditions for lithium ion conductivity.
Thus, a solid material according to the first aspect described herein may be selected rom the group consisting of
LiaM1bM2cX4 (Ia)
LiaM1bM2cX4 (Ia)
LiaM1dM3eX4 (Ib)
In certain other cases, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect may have a glassy ceramic structure, i.e. is a polycrystalline solid having at least 30% by volume of a glassy phase.
The structure of a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect depends on the way how it is prepared. For details of preparing a solid material according to the above defined first aspect, see the information provided below in the context of the second aspect of this disclosure.
A solid material according to the above-defined first aspect may have an ionic conductivity of 0.1 mS/cm or more, preferably 1 mS or more at a temperature of 25° C. The ionic conductivity is determined in the usual manner known in the field of battery materials development by means of electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (for details see examples section below).
At the same time, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect may have an almost negligible electronic conductivity. More specifically the electronic conductivity may be at least 3 orders of magnitude lower than the ionic conductivity, preferably at least 5 orders of magnitude lower than the ionic conductivity. In certain cases, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect exhibits an electronic conductivity of 10−10 S/cm or less. The electronic conductivity is determined in the usual manner known in the field of battery materials development by means of direct-current (DC) polarization measurements at different voltages.
Preferred solid materials according to the first aspect as defined above are those having one or more of the specific features disclosed above.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a process for obtaining a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect. Said process comprises the following steps
In step a) of the process according to the above-defined second aspect, a reaction mixture comprising precursors of the solid material having a composition according to general formula (I) to be formed in step b) is prepared or provided. Said precursors are
and optionally
wherein in each precursor, independently from the other precursors, X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I
wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1, X resp. Li, M1, X and one of M2 and M3 matches general formula (I).
Preferably the reaction mixture prepared or provided in step (a) consists of the precursors (1) and (2) resp. (1), (2) and (3) as defined above.
In each of precursors (1), (2) and (3) X may be selected independently. Preferably, in each compound of precursors (1) and (2) of a reaction mixture, X is the same, preferably Cl.
Preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl.
When precursor (3) is M2X3, then in precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3, M1 and M2 are different trivalent metals. M1 and M2 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). Preferably, M1 and M2 are different trivalent metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y. Preferably, the precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3 are selected from the group consisting of ScX3, AlX3, InX3 and YX3 wherein the precursors M1X3 and M2X3 are different. Most preferably, the precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3 are selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3 wherein the precursors M1X3 and M2X3 are different.
When precursor (3) is M3X2, M3 may be selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and Zn (magnesium, calcium and zinc). Preferably, the precursor M3X2 is selected from the group consisting of MgX2, CaX2 and ZnX2, more preferably from the group consisting of MgCl2, CaCl2 and ZnCl2.
In certain cases, the reaction mixture prepared or provided in step a) of the process according to the above-defined second aspect consists of the precursors
wherein in each precursor, independently from the other precursors, X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I.
In said reaction mixture, precursor (3) as defined above is not present. Such reaction mixtures are suitable for preparing solid materials having a composition according to general formula (Ia) as defined above wherein c=0. Thus, a reaction mixture suitable for preparing a solid material having a composition according to general formula (Ia) wherein c=0 consists of the precursors
wherein in each compound of precursors (1) and (2), X is independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I,
wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1, and X matches general formula (Ia) wherein c=0.
In each of precursors (1) and (2), X may be selected independently. Preferably, in each precursor of a reaction mixture, X is the same, preferably Cl.
Preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl.
In precursor (2) M1X3, M1 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). Preferably, M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y.
Thus, in certain processes according to the above-defined second aspect, the reaction mixture consists of precursors (1) and (2) as defined above, wherein precursor (2) is a compound M1X3 wherein M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y, wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1 and X matches general formula (I).
Preferably, precursor (2) M1X3 is selected from the group consisting of ScX3, AlX3, InX3 and YX3. More preferably, precursor (2) M1X3 is selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3. For instance, precursor (2) M1X3 is ScCl3 or InCl3.
Especially preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl and precursor (2) is selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3. For instance, precursor (1) is LiCl and precursor (2) is ScCl3 or InCl3.
In other cases, the reaction mixture prepared or provided in step a) of the process according to the above-defined second aspect consists of the precursors
wherein in each precursor, independently from the other precursors, X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I.
Such reaction mixtures are suitable for preparing solid materials having a composition according to general formula (Ia) as defined above wherein c>0. Thus, a reaction mixture suitable for preparing a solid material having a composition according to general formula (Ia) wherein c>0 consists of the precursors
and
wherein in each compound of precursors (1) and (2) X is independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I,
wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1, M2 and X matches general formula (Ia) wherein c>0.
In each of precursors (1), (2) and (3), X may be selected independently. Preferably, in each precursor of a reaction mixture, X is the same, preferably Cl.
Preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl.
In precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3, M1 and M2 are different trivalent metals. M1 and M2 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). Preferably, M1 and M2 are trivalent metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y.
Thus, in certain processes according to the above-defined second aspect, the reaction mixture consists of precursors (1) and (2) and (3) as defined above, wherein precursor (3) consists of a compound M2X3 wherein M2 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y with the proviso that M2 is different from M1, wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1, M2 and X matches general formula (Ia).
Preferably, the precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3 are selected from the group consisting of ScX3, AlX3, InX3 and YX3 wherein the precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3 are different.
Most preferably, the precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3 are selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3 wherein the precursors (2) M1X3 and (3) M2X3 are different. For instance, precursor (2) is ScCl3 and precursor (3) is InCl3.
Especially preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl and precursors (2) and (3) are different compounds selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3. For instance, precursor (1) is LiCl, precursor (2) is ScCl3 and precursor (3) is InCl3.
In yet other cases, the reaction mixture prepared or provided in step a) of the process according to the above-defined second aspect consists of the precursors
wherein in each precursor, independently from the other precursors, X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I.
Such reaction mixtures are suitable for preparing solid materials having a composition according to general formula (Ib) as defined above. Thus, a reaction mixture suitable for preparing a solid material having a composition according to general formula (Ib) consists of the precursors
and
wherein in each compound of precursors (1) and (2), X is independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I,
wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1, M3, and X matches general formula (Ib).
In each of precursors (1), (2) and (3), X may be selected independently. Preferably, in each precursor of a reaction mixture, X is the same, preferably Cl.
Preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl.
In precursor (2) M1X3 M1 may be selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Mo (antimony, niobium and molybdenum, in each case in the oxidation state +3), and Sc, Al, In and Y (scandium, aluminium, indium and yttrium). Preferably, M1 is a trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Al, In and Y.
In precursor (3) M3X2, M3 may be selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, and Zn (magnesium, calcium and zinc).
Thus, in certain processes according to the above-defined second aspect, the reaction mixture consists of precursors (1) and (2) and (3) as defined above, wherein precursor (3) consists of a compound M3X2 wherein M3 is a divalent metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Zn, wherein in said reaction mixture the molar ratio of the elements Li, M1, X and M3 matches general formula (Ib).
Preferably, precursor (2) M1X3 is selected from the group consisting of ScX3, AlX3, InX3 and YX3. More preferably, precursor (2) M1X3 is selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3. For instance, precursor (2) M1X3 is ScCl3 or InCl3.
Preferably, precursor (3) M3X2 is selected from the group consisting of MgX2, CaX2 and ZnX2, more preferably from the group consisting of MgCl2, CaCl2 and ZnCl2.
Especially preferably, precursor (1) is LiCl and precursor (2) is selected from the group consisting of ScCl3, AlCl3, InCl3 and YCl3 and precursor (3) is selected from the group consisting of MgCl2, CaCl2, and ZnCl2. For instance, precursor (1) is LiCl and precursor (2) is ScCl3 and precursor (3) is MgCl2, or precursor (1) is LiCl and precursor (2) is InCl3 and precursor (3) is MgCl2.
The reaction mixture may be obtained by grinding together the precursors so that a powder is obtained, and optionally pressing the powder into pellets.
In step b) of the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the reaction mixture is allowed to react so that a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I) is obtained. In other words, in step b) the precursors in the reaction mixture react with each other to obtain a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I).
In step (b) reacting the reaction mixture may be achieved by
or
In certain processes according to the above-defined second aspect, the reaction mixture prepared or provided in process step a) is heat-treated in step b) to enable the reaction of the precursors. The reaction mixture may be in the form of a powder, or in the form of pellets.
Heat-treating may be performed in a closed vessel. The closed vessel may be a sealed quartz tube or any other type of container which is capable of withstanding the temperature of the thermal treatment and is not subject to reaction with any of the precursors, such as a glassy carbon crucible or a tantalum crucible.
In step b) the reaction mixture may be heat-treated in a temperature range of from 300° C. to 700° C. for a total duration of from 30 hours to 100 hours so that a reaction product is formed. More specifically, in step b) the reaction mixture may be heat-treated in a temperature range of from 500° C. to 700° C. for a total duration of 40 hours to 80 hours.
Most preferably in step (b) the reaction mixture is heated to a heat treating temperature in the range of from 600° C. to 700° C., more preferably 620° C. to 680° C. with a ramp rate in the range of rom 2 to 10° C./min and heat treated at said temperature for a total duration of from 30 hours to 60 hours so that a reaction product is formed, and the obtained reaction product is cooled so that a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I) and a spinel structure as explained above is obtained.
The heat treating temperature is preferably selected slightly above the melting point of precursor (1) so that precursor (1) is in the molten state. It appears that the reaction of the reaction mixture is promoted when precursor (1) is in the molten state. Herein precursor (1) is preferably LiCl.
When the duration of the heat treatment of step b) is completed, the formed reaction product is allowed to cool down. Thus, a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I) is obtained. Cooling of the reaction product is preferably performed using a cooling rate of from 0.1 to 10° C. per minute, or by quenching with water.
Reacting the reaction mixture prepared or provided in step a) by means of heat-treating in step b) as described above results in formation of a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I) which has a spinel structure as defined above. Such materials having a spinel structure can be obtained from any of the reaction mixtures described above, especially from the preferred ones, especially those wherein X in all precursors is Cl.
In certain other processes according to the above-defined second aspect, the reaction mixture prepared or provided in process step a) is ball-milled in step b) to enable the reaction of the precursors. The reaction mixture may be in the form of a powder, or in the form of pellets.
Ball-milling of the reaction mixture is preferably carried out at a rate of 300 to 500 rpm for 20 to 40 hours. Preparation of lithium-conducting solid electrolytes by ball milling a reaction mixture comprising appropriate precursors is known in the art.
Reacting the reaction mixture prepared or provided in step a) by means of ball-milling in step b) as described above results in formation of a solid material having a composition according to general formula (I) which has a glassy ceramic structure, i.e. is a polycrystalline solid having at least 30% by volume of a glassy phase.
Preferred processes according to the second aspect as defined herein are those having one or more of the specific features disclosed above.
A solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect can be used as a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical cell. Herein the solid electrolyte may form a component of a solid structure for an electrochemical cell, wherein said solid structure is selected from the group consisting of cathode, anode and separator. Accordingly, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect can be used (if necessary in combination with additional components) for producing a solid structure for an electrochemical cell, such as a cathode, an anode or a separator.
Thus, the present disclosure further provides the use of a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect as a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical cell. Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
More specifically, the present disclosure further provides the use of a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect as a component of a solid structure for an electrochemical cell, wherein said solid structure is selected from the group consisting of cathode, anode and separator.
In the context of the present disclosure, the electrode where during discharging a net negative charge occurs is called the anode and the electrode where during discharging a net positive charge occurs is called the cathode. Suitable electrochemically active cathode materials (cathode active materials) and suitable electrochemically active anode materials (anode active materials) are known in the art and described above. Preferably the cathode active material is a cathode active material according to general formula (II) resp. (IIa) as defined below which contains at least one of Ni and Mn.
The separator electronically separates a cathode and an anode from each other in an electrochemical cell.
The cathode of an all-solid-state electrochemical cell usually comprises beside an active cathode material as a further component a solid electrolyte. Also the anode of an all-solid-state electrochemical cell usually comprises a solid electrolyte as a further component beside an active anode material. Said solid electrolyte may be a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect.
The present disclosure further provides a solid structure for an electrochemical cell, wherein the solid structure is selected from the group consisting of cathode, anode and separator, wherein the solid structure for an electrochemical cell comprises a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect. Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
In certain cases, said solid structure is a cathode. Such cathode may comprise a mixture comprising one or more cathode active materials and a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect. Further constituents of said mixture are one or more selected from the group consisting of electron conducting materials and binding agents.
In certain cases, said cathode comprises a cathode active material having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ (cathode active material of the “4 V class”). Due to its favorable oxidation stability, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may be applied as a solid electrolyte in direct contact with a cathode active material having a redox potential of 4 V or more, preferably of 4.5 V or more vs. Li/Li+. Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
For instance, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may form a layer covering particles of one or more cathode active materials.
For instance, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may form a matrix wherein particles of one or more cathode active materials are embedded.
More specifically, in such cathode, a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may form a coating on the surface of the cathode active material which may protect the solid electrolyte material of the separator layer of a cell comprising such cathode from being oxidized by the cathode active material.
A cathode as described herein may comprise
Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
Typical electron-conducting materials are those comprising or consisting of elemental carbon, e.g. carbon black and graphite. Typical binding agents are poly(vinylidenefluroride) (PVDF), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polyisobutene, poly(ethylene vinyl acetate), poly(acrylonitrile butadiene).
Suitable electrochemically active cathode materials (cathode active materials) are known in the art. Preferred cathode active materials are those having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ (cathode active material of the “4 V class”), which enable obtaining a high cell voltage. Many such cathode active materials are known in the art.
A class of suitable cathode active materials are oxides comprising lithium and one or more members of the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and manganese. Preferred cathode active materials are oxides comprising lithium and at least one of nickel, cobalt and manganese.
In certain cases, the above-defined solid structure is a cathode comprising one or more cathode active materials selected from the group consisting of materials having a composition according to general formula (II)
Li1+t[CoxMnyNizMu]1−tO2 (II)
wherein
0≤x≤1
0≤y≤1
0≤z≤1
0≤u≤0.15
M if present is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ba, B, and transition metals other than Ni, Co, and Mn,
x+y+z+u=1
−0.05≤t≤0.2.
Preferably, the cathode active material according to general formula (II) contains at least one of Ni and Mn.
In certain cathode active materials according to formula (II), M may be one of Al, Mg, Ti, Mo, Nb, W and Zr. Exemplary cathode active materials of formula (II) are Li1+t[Ni0.88Co0.08Al0.04]1−tO2, Li1+t[Ni0.905Co0.0475Al0.0475]1−tO2, and Li1+t[Ni0.91Co0.045Al0.045]1−tO2, wherein in each case −0.05≤t≤0.2.
In other cathode active materials according to formula (II), M is not present. Those cathode active materials have a composition according to general formula (IIa):
Li1+t[CoxMnyNiz]1−tO2 (IIa)
wherein
0≤x≤1
O≤y≤1
0≤z≤1
x+y+z=1
−0.05≤t≤0.2.
Exemplary cathode active materials according to formula (IIa) are LiCoO2, Li1+t[Ni0.85Co0.10Mn0.05]1−tO2, Li1+t[Ni0.85Mn0.10Co0.05]1−tO2, Li1+t[Ni0.87Co0.05Mn0.08]1−tO2, Li1+t[Ni0.83Co0.12Mn0.05]1−tO2, and Li1+t[Ni0.6Mn0.2Co0.2]1−tO2 (NMC622).
Preferably, the cathode active material according to general formula (IIa) contains at least one of Ni and Mn.
The present disclosure further provides an electrochemical cell comprising
Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
In said electrochemical cell, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may form a component of one or more solid structures selected from the group consisting of cathode, anode and separator. Preferably said solid structure is a cathode as defined above.
More specifically, there is provided an electrochemical cell as defined above wherein in certain preferred cases a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may be in direct contact with a cathode active material having a redox potential of 4 V or more, preferably of 4.5 V or more vs. Li/Li+. Preferably the cathode active material is a cathode active material according to general formula (II) resp. (IIa) as defined above which contains at least one of Ni and Mn.
Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above). In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
The above-defined electrochemical cell may be a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising the following constituents
wherein at least one of the three constituents is a solid structure (selected from the group consisting of cathode, anode and separator) comprising a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect.
Preferably, in such electrochemical cell
Further preferably, in such electrochemical cell
and
Herein, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0.
In certain cases, said electrochemical cell comprises
Said anode is capable of reversibly plating and stripping lithium, e.g. an anode comprising lithium metal or a metal alloy comprising lithium or a metal capable of alloying with lithium or an electronically conductive material capable of reversibly plating and stripping lithium.
In said electrochemical cell, the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect separates the cathode active material from the lithium ion conducting layer which does not comprise a solid material according to formula (I). Since the cathode active material is coated with or embedded in or covered by a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, direct contact between the cathode active material and the lithium ion conducting layer which does not comprise a solid material according to formula (I) is prevented. Thus, coating the cathode active material with a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, or covering the cathode active material by a layer comprising or consisting of a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, or embedding the cathode active material in a matrix formed of a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, allows for implementing electrochemical cells, especially all-solid-state lithium batteries, wherein a cathode active material having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ is combined with a solid electrolyte layer resp. separator layer comprising or consisting of a lithium ion conducting material which as such does not exhibit oxidation stability at a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+, e.g. a sulfide-based or oxysulfide-based solid electrolyte. On the other hand, many lithium ion conducting materials which do not have such oxidation stability exhibit one or more favourable properties like stability in the presence of lithium metal or of a metal alloy comprising lithium and ionic conductivity, easy processability, superior ionic conductivity and/or low cost which render them suitable for forming a solid electrolyte layer resp. a separator layer. Thus, the materials of the lithium ion conducting layer (which does not comprise a solid material according to formula (I)) may be suitably selected according to the criteria of stability in the presence of lithium metal or a metal alloy comprising lithium, ionic conductivity, processability and costs, while oxidation stability is not an issue.
The lithium ion conducting layer which does not comprise a solid material according to formula (I) may comprise or consist of one or more lithium ion conducting materials selected from the group consisting of
These and other lithium ion conducting materials are known in the art. For further details, see e.g. US 2017/0331092 A1.
For instance, said lithium ion conducting layer which does not comprise a solid material according to formula (I) comprises or consists of one or more of lithium containing sulfides, lithium containing oxysulfides, lithium-containing oxyphosphates and lithium containing oxyphosphonitrides.
More specifically, an electrochemical cell comprising a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a structure wherein
is sandwiched between and is in direct contact with
Said anode is capable of reversibly plating and stripping lithium, e.g. an anode comprising lithium metal or a metal alloy comprising lithium or a metal capable of alloying with lithium or an electronically conductive material capable of reversibly plating and stripping lithium.
In other words, said electrochemical cell comprises a sequence of layers which in the order of stacking consists of
In said layer (a), the solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect may have a composition according to formula (Ia) as defined above resp. according to formula (Ib) as defined above. In certain cases, the solid material may have a composition according to formula (Ia) wherein c=0. Regarding specific and preferred solid materials according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect, the same applies as disclosed above in the context of the first aspect.
In layer (b), the cathode active material is preferably a cathode active material according to general formula (II) resp. (IIa) which contains at least one of Ni and Mn. Beside a cathode active material, layer (b) may comprise a solid electrolyte, and one or more selected from the group consisting of electron conducting materials and binding agents. In certain cases, the solid electrolyte in layer (b) is a solid material according to formula (I) (i.e. a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect). Preferably, the solid material according to formula (I) (i.e. a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect) in layer (a) and in layer (b) has the same composition.
In the above-described electrochemical cell, layer (c) acts as a solid electrolyte layer resp. separator layer.
In layer (b), the cathode active material is preferably selected from cathode active materials having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ (cathode active material of the “4 V class”). In case that the cathode active material has a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ while the lithium ion conducting layer (c) does not have electrochemical oxidation stability up to 4 V vs Li/Li+, the layer (a) comprising or consisting of a solid material according to formula (I) (i.e. a solid material according to the above-defined first aspect resp. obtained by the process according to the above-defined second aspect) serves as a protection layer protecting the solid electrolyte in layer (c) from being oxidized by the cathode material. Thus, the material of the lithium ion conducting layer (c) (which does not comprise a solid material according to formula (I)) may be suitably selected according to the criteria of stability in the presence of lithium metal or a metal alloy comprising lithium, ionic conductivity, processability and costs, while oxidation stability is not an issue.
Thus, coating the cathode active material with a solid material according to formula (I) or covering the cathode active material by a layer comprising or consisting of a solid material according to formula (I) allows for implementing electrochemical cells, especially all-solid-state lithium batteries, wherein a cathode active materials having a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+ is combined with a solid electrolyte layer resp. separator layer comprising or consisting of a lithium ion conducting material which as such does not exhibit oxidation stability at a redox potential of 4 V or more vs. Li/Li+, e.g. sulfide-based solid electrolytes. On the other hand, many lithium ion conducting materials which do not have oxidation stability exhibit one or more favourable properties like stability in the presence of lithium metal or a metal alloy comprising lithium and ionic conductivity, easy processability, superior ionic conductivity and/or low cost which render them suitable for forming a solid electrolyte layer resp. a separator layer.
Electrochemical cells as described above may be alkali metal containing cells, especially lithium-ion containing cells. In lithium-ion containing cells, the charge transport is effected by Li+ ions.
Suitable electrochemically active cathode materials (cathode active materials) and suitable electrochemically active anode materials (anode active materials) are known in the art. Exemplary cathode active materials are disclosed above. Preferably the cathode active material is a cathode active material according to general formula (II) resp. (IIa) which contains at least one of Ni and Mn. Exemplary anode active materials are graphitic carbon, metallic lithium and metal alloys comprising lithium.
The electrochemical cell may have a disc-like or a prismatic shape. The electrochemical cells can include a housing that can be from steel or aluminum.
A plurality of electrochemical cells as described above may be combined to an all-solid-state battery, which has both solid electrodes and solid electrolytes. A further aspect of the present disclosure refers to batteries, more specifically to an alkali metal ion battery, in particular to a lithium ion battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell as described above, for example two or more electrochemical cells as described above. Electrochemical cells as described above can be combined with one another in alkali metal ion batteries, for example in series connection or in parallel connection. Series connection is preferred.
The electrochemical cells resp. batteries described herein can be used for making or operating cars, computers, personal digital assistants, mobile telephones, watches, camcorders, digital cameras, thermometers, calculators, laptop BIOS, communication equipment or remote car locks, and stationary applications such as energy storage devices for power plants. A further aspect of this disclosure is a method of making or operating cars, computers, personal digital assistants, mobile telephones, watches, camcorders, digital cameras, thermometers, calculators, laptop BIOS, communication equipment, remote car locks, and stationary applications such as energy storage devices for power plants by employing at least one inventive battery or at least one inventive electrochemical cell.
A further aspect of the present disclosure is the use of the electrochemical cell as described above in motor vehicles, bicycles operated by electric motor, robots, aircraft (for example unmanned aerial vehicles including drones), ships or stationary energy stores.
The present disclosure further provides a device comprising at least one inventive electrochemical cell as described above. Preferred are mobile devices such as are vehicles, for example automobiles, bicycles, aircraft, or water vehicles such as boats or ships. Other examples of mobile devices are those which are portable, for example computers, especially laptops, telephones or electrical power tools, for example from the construction sector, especially drills, battery-driven screwdrivers or battery-driven tackers.
The invention is illustrated further by the following examples which are not limiting.
1. Material Preparation
Materials having the compositions indicated in table 1 were obtained by mixing stoichiometric amounts of precursor (1) LiCl (Sigma-Aldrich, 99.9%) and precursor (2) and optionally precursor (3) together at the targeted ratio. The obtained reaction mixtures were pelletized and placed in sealed quartz tubes under vacuum. The quartz tubes were heated to 650° C. with an increasing rate of 5° C.·min−1 heat treated at said temperature for a total duration of 48 hours and cooled with a cooling rate of 10° C.·h−1.
2. Ionic Conductivity
The ionic conductivity was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Typically, 150 mg powder of the material to be tested was placed between two stainless steel rods and pressed into a 10 mm diameter pellet by a hydraulic press at 3 tons for 1 min in an Ar-filled glovebox. EIS experiments were performed with 100 mV amplitude within a frequency range of 1 MHz-100 mHz using a VMP3 potentiostat/galvanostat (Bio-Logic). The conductivities of the tested materials are compiled in table 1.
3. Structure Analysis
Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements on all materials were conducted at room temperature on a PANalytical Empyrean diffractometer with Cu-Kα radiation that was equipped with a PIXcel bidimensional detector. XRD patterns were obtained in Debye-Scherrer geometry, with samples sealed in 0.5 mm (diameter) glass capillaries under argon. Additional XRD pattern for phase identification (
The time-of-flight (TOF) powder neutron diffraction pattern was collected on POWGEN at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The sample (˜1 g) was loaded into a vanadium can under an argon atmosphere and sealed with a copper gasket and aluminum lid. The samples were measured at 300 K, and a single bank wave with a center wavelength of 1.5 Å was used. Structure analysis was performed in the TOPAS V6 software package. The unit cell of Li2Sc2/3Cl4 was identified through indexing the powder X-ray diffraction data, followed by locating the Cl and Sc positions. As Li possesses a negative neutron scattering length, the neutron pattern was refined using the Rietveld method based on the structural model from powder X-ray data and difference Fourier mapping to locate the Li positions.
The X-ray diffraction pattern of Li2Sc2/3Cl4 (
The structure of spinel Li2Sc2/3Cl4 was determined from Rietveld refinement of the time of flight powder neutron diffraction pattern, as shown in
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is concluded that the disordered spinel Li2Sc2/3Cl4 exhibits multiple Li sites (two new Li sites as explained above) compared to the other Li halide spinel materials. Taking Li2MgCl4 as an example, Li+ ions would likely diffuse through the faces of edge-shared Li(2)Cl6 octahedra that border an empty tetrahedral site. While the Li2 site is also a shared site with Mg2+. (half occupied by both Mg2+ and Li+), both Li1 and Li2 sites are fully occupied and hence a defect formation step is necessary to sustain macroscopic Li+ ion diffusion. Furthermore, in Li2MgCl4 divalent Mg2+ is present within the main diffusion pathway, which will hinder Li+ ion diffusion due to its presumed low mobility. The sum of these factors result in the high activation energy and low ionic conductivity of Li2MgCl4 as previously reported. For the disordered spinel Li2Sc2/3Cl4, the same potential (Sc1/Li4)Cl6 octahedral pathway (via empty face-shared sites as described for Li2MgCl4) also exists. However, trivalent Sc3+ ions also sit within the pathway and are anticipated to block Li+ ion diffusion; thus Li+ ions in this site will have very low mobility, which is supported by their low atomic displacement parameter (Table 2). In short, this Li/Sc shared site forms a rigid framework that allows the diffusion of Li+ ions resident on the other sites. The additional Li+ ions are spread over the other face-sharing octahedral and tetrahedral Li1,2,3 sites, which form an infinite 3D Li+ ion diffusion pathway. The relatively low occupancy of the Li1,2,3 sites result in vacancies which help eliminate the defect formation step for Li+ ion diffusion. The re-distribution of Li+-ion density over available tetrahedral and octahedral sites within the lattice suggests the Li site energies are relatively similar which may lead to a flat energy landscape for Li+ ion diffusion. Overall, the new Li+ ion diffusion pathway with considerable vacancies promotes Li+ ion diffusion with relatively low activation energy.
XRD pattern obtained in Bragg-Brentano geometry of further materials listed in table 1 are shown in
Li2In0.444Sc0.222Cl4,
Li2In0.333Sc0.333Cl4,
Li2In0.222Sc0.444Cl4,
Li2In0.111Sc0.555Cl4,
Li1.65Mg0.65Sc0.35Cl4,
Li1.5Mg0.5Cl4,
Li1.35Mg0.35Sc0.65Cl4,
Li1.3Mg0.3Sc0.7Cl4,
Li1.25Mg0.25Sc0.75Cl4
(FIGS. 3 and 4) are substantially phase pure spinels.
The materials
Li2In0.555Sc0.111Cl4
Li1.65Mg0.65In0.35Cl4
(see
The material with the target stoichiometry Li2In2/3Cl4 (
4. Electrochemical Tests and Scanning Electron Microscopy
ASSB means all solid state battery.
For linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) measurements, 90 mg of Li2Sc2/3Cl4 was filled into a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cylinder (10 mm diameter) and pressed at 2 tons for 1 min. To prepare the Li2Sc2/3Cl4-carbon composite, Li2Sc2/3Cl4 and carbon (“Super P”) were mixed in a weight ratio of 7:3 and hand-ground in an agate mortar for 15 min. A mass of 5 mg of the composite was put onto one side of the solid electrolyte (SE) pellet to serve as a working electrode and pressed at 2 tons for another 1 min. On the other side of the pellet, a thin indium foil (10 mm diameter, Alfa Aesar, 99.99%, 0.125 mm thickness) was attached and ˜0.3 mg Li powder (FMC Lithium) was spread over the indium foil. The cell was then placed into a stainless steel casing with a constant applied pressure of ˜1.5 tons. The LSV measurement was performed with a scan rate of 0.01 mV·s−1.
All-solid-state batteries having cathodes employing Li2Sc2/3Cl4 as solid electrolyte (SE) in combination with one of LiCoO2 (LCO), LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622) and LiNi0.85Mn0.1Co0.05O2 (NMC85) as the cathode active material, a separator layer consisting of Li6.7Si0.7Sb0.3S5I, and a Li—In alloy anode were assembled in an argon filled glovebox. LiCoO2 and NMC622 powders were dried in Buechi oven under vacuum at 200° C. for 20 h before use. First, ˜60 mg of Li6.7Si0.7Sb0.3S5I powder (a state of the art sulfide-based electrolyte) was placed into a PEEK cylinder and pressed at 2 tons for 1 min (10 mm diameter), then ˜40 mg of Li2Sc2/3Cl4 was spread over one side of the solid electrolyte (SE) pellet and pressed at 2 tons for another 1 min. The composite cathode mixtures were prepared by mixing the cathode active material (LCO or NMC622 resp. NMC85) and Li2Sc2/3Cl4 in an agate mortar in a weight ratio of 8:2. On the Li2Sc2/3Cl4 side of the SE pellet, ˜6-9 mg of the composite cathode mixture (corresponding to a capacity of ˜1-1.25 mAh·cm−2) was spread and pressed at 3 tons for 3 min. On the other side of the pellet, a thin indium foil (10 mm diameter, Alfa Aesar, 99.99%, 0.125 mm thickness) was attached and ˜1 mg Li powder (FMC Lithium) was spread over the indium foil in order to create a Li—In alloy. The ASSB was placed into a stainless steel casing with a constant applied pressure of ˜1.5 tons. Galvanostatic cycling of the ASSB was carried out in the voltage range of 3-4.3 V vs Li+/Li for the LCO ASSB (1 C=137 mAh·g−1) and 2.8-4.3 V or 2.8-4.6 V vs Li+/Li for the NMC622 (1 C=180 mAh·g−1) ASSB using a VMP3 (Bio-Logic) cycler.
Thus, the ASSBs comprise
ASSBs prepared as described above having a cathode comprising LiCoO2 are herein referred to as “LCO ASSB”, and ASSBs prepared as described above having a cathode comprising NMC622 as “NMC622 ASSB”, and ASSBs prepared as described above having a cathode comprising NMC85 as “NMC85 ASSB”. Schemes of the cell configurations “LCO ASSB” and “NMC622 ASSB” are shown in the insets of
The oxidative stability voltage window of Li2Sc2/3Cl4 was probed by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV).
Material morphologies and elemental analysis studies were examined using a Zeiss field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector (EDX).
Bulk-type all solid state batteries (ASSBs) having a high voltage cathode active material (LiCoO2 resp. NMC622) in direct contact with Li2Sc2/3Cl4 which prevents direct contact between the cathode active material and the sulfide-based solid electrolyte of the separator, show good performance in terms of Coulombic efficiency and cycling performance. The initial charge/discharge curves of LCO ASSB and NMC622 ASSB cycled in different voltage ranges are shown in
The long-term cycling performance of LCO ASSB at rates of 0.1 C, 0.2 C and 0.5 C and room temperature are shown in
The NMC622 ASSB also exhibits excellent cycling performance with a cutoff voltage of 4.6 V (vs. Li+/Li) with nearly no capacity fade, maintaining a capacity of ˜190 mAh·g−1 with high Coulombic efficiency ˜99.5% on average at 0.2 C over 50 cycles (
Since linear sweep voltammetry (
A cathode active material having a higher content of Ni (LiNi0.85Mn0.1Co0.05O2, NMC85) provides higher capacity, thus allowing for a higher energy density. However, such cathode active materials generally are known to exhibit poor stability. Surprisingly, NMC85 ASSBs exhibit stable cycling, as shown in
The results presented here show that in an all-solid state battery (ASSBs) Li2Sc2/3Cl4 can be applied as a high voltage cathode coating material so that the coated cathode materials can be used in combination with lower-cost sulfide solid electrolytes as separators.
The other solid materials listed in table 1 exhibit a similar electrochemical behavior.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20166835.7 | Mar 2020 | WO | international |
| 20170190.1 | Apr 2020 | WO | international |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/058167 | 3/29/2021 | WO |
