Translucent and transparent separators

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025125411-A1
Application number	US-202418905740-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 3, 2024
Priority date	Aug 5, 2016
Publication date	Apr 17, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided herein are defect-free solid-state separators which are useful as Li+ ion-conducting electrolytes in electrochemical cells and devices, such as, but not limited to, rechargeable batteries. In some examples, the separators have a Li+ ion-conductivity greater than 1*10−3 S/cm at room temperature.

First claim

1 .- 96 . (canceled)

97 . A Li + ion-conducting separator,
wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator:
is polycrystalline;
has a thickness from 10 nm to 1 mm;
comprises grains having a d 90 grain size ranging from 0.1 to 20 μm; and
has less than or equal to one defect per mm 2 .

98 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator has less than or equal to one defect per cm 2 .

99 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator has less than or equal to one defect per m 2 .

100 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the defect is a pore, a grain boundary, a dislocation, a crack, a separation, a chemical inhomogeneity, a phase segregation of two or more materials in a solid material, a pit, an inclusion, or a divot.

101 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 100 , wherein the defect is a pore.

102 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator has a planar surface with substantially no pitting, inclusions, cracks, pores, or divots on the planar surface.

103 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator has a surface roughness less than 5 μm.

104 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator has a density ranging from 94%-99.9999% as measured by a 2D cross-section.

105 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator comprises an oxide, a sulfide, a sulfide-halide, LIRAP, or a borohydride.

106 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 105 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator comprises an oxide selected from a lithium-stuffed garnet characterized by the formula Li x La y Zr z O t .qAl 2 O 3 , wherein 4<x<10, 1<y<4, 1<z<3, 6<t<14, 0≤q≤1.

107 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 106 , wherein the lithium-stuffed garnet is doped with Nb, Ga, Ta, or combinations thereof.

108 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 106 , wherein the lithium-stuffed garnet is characterized by the formula Li a La b Zr c Al d Me″ c O f , wherein 5<a<8.5; 2<b<4; 0<c≤2.5; 0≤d<2; 0≤e<2, and 10<f<13 and Me″ is a metal selected from Nb, Ga, Ta, or combinations thereof.

109 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 106 , wherein the lithium-stuffed garnet is characterized by the formula Li x La y Zr z O t .0.11 (Al 2 O 3 ), Li x La y Zr z O t .0.22(Al 2 O 3 ), Li x La y Zr z O t .0.35(Al 2 O 3 ), Li x La y Zr z O t .0.5(Al 2 O 3 ), Li x La y Zr z O t .0.65(Al 2 O 3 ), Li x La y Zr z O t .0.75(Al 2 O 3 ), or Li x La y Zr z O t .(Al 2 O 3 ), wherein 5<x<8.5.

110 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator comprises:
a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula Li u La v Zr x O y .zAl 2 O 3 , wherein
u is a rational number from 4 to 8;
v is a rational number from 2 to 4;
x is a rational number from 1 to 3;
y is a rational number from 10 to 14; and
z is a rational number from 0.05 to 1;
wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral.

111 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , having a scattering center density that ranges from less than 1/m 2 to 1/mm 2 .

112 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , having a lithium-ion conductivity of greater than 10 −4 S/cm at 25° C.

113 . The Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 , having a lithium interfacial area-specific resistance of less than 20 Ωcm 2 at 25° C.

114 . An electrochemical cell comprising a Li + ion-conducting separator of claim 97 .

115 . The electrochemical cell of claim 114 , wherein the electrochemical cell is a rechargeable battery.

116 . A Li + ion-conducting separator,
wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator:
is polycrystalline;
has a thickness from 10 nm to 1 mm;
comprises grains having a d 90 grain size ranging from 0.1 to 20 μm; and
has a defect density of less than 10% by volume.

117 . A Li + ion-conducting separator,
wherein the Li + ion-conducting separator:
is polycrystalline;
has a thickness from 10 nm to 1 mm;
comprises grains having a d 90 grain size ranging from 0.1 to 20 μm; and
has a geometric porosity of less than 5% by volume.

Assignees

• Quantumscape Battery Inc

Inventors

• Chao Cheng-Chieh
• Chen Zhebo
• Cheng Lei
• Donnelly Niall
• Holme Timothy
• Huang Tommy
• Iyer Sriram
• Kerman Kian
• Maheshwari Harsh
• Singh Jagdeep
• Xu Gengfu

Classifications

• H01M2300/0068

  inorganic · CPC title

• H01M10/052

  Li-accumulators · CPC title

• H01M2300/0091

  in the form of mixtures · CPC title

• H01M2300/008

  Halides · CPC title

• H01M2300/0071

  Oxides · CPC title