Fabrication methods to produce lithium battery structures with composite layers

摘要

This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating a lithium-based battery cell, said method comprising coating a structurally rigid and continuous inorganic barrier layer on a substrate layer disposed between a lithium-containing anode and a cathode, providing a liquid electrolyte for transporting lithium ions between said anode and said cathode, and electrically isolating said anode from said cathode with a separator layer, wherein said inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to at least one lithium-containing compound produced by a lithium reaction at said cathode, wherein said inorganic barrier layer has a lithium-ion conductivity from about 10−5 S/cm to about 10−2 S/cm at a temperature from −50° C. to 80° C., and wherein said inorganic barrier layer has an electronic conductivity from about 10−2 S/cm to about 102 S/cm at a temperature from −50° C. to 80° C.