Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes

An important unresolved topic in materials science is the mechanism by which metals infiltrate solid electrolytes during electrodeposition. A deep understanding of this phenomenon in Li+-conducting solid electrolytes could determine whether these materials can enable fast-charging (> 3 mA cm⁻²) s...

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Main Author: Park, Joon Young Richard
Other Authors: Chiang, Yet-Ming
Format: Thesis
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2022
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/139288
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author Park, Joon Young Richard
author2 Chiang, Yet-Ming
author_facet Chiang, Yet-Ming
Park, Joon Young Richard
author_sort Park, Joon Young Richard
collection MIT
description An important unresolved topic in materials science is the mechanism by which metals infiltrate solid electrolytes during electrodeposition. A deep understanding of this phenomenon in Li+-conducting solid electrolytes could determine whether these materials can enable fast-charging (> 3 mA cm⁻²) solid state batteries that are safer and more energy-dense than the state of the art. At present, it is thought that intensified stresses are generated at the largest surface flaws on the electrolyte during electrodeposition, and at the critical current density these stresses drive brittle fracture within the bulk to create paths for metal advancement. This thesis demonstrates that metal penetration depends on two additional factors. The first is whether electric field focusing is present between the stripping and plating electrodes. We show that amplified electric fields, which correlate with increased local current densities, cause Li filled cracks to initiate and grow to penetration, overriding the presence of larger surface defects elsewhere. The second factor is the yield stress of the electrodeposited metal. We show that in Li⁺-, Na⁺-, and K⁺-conducting solid state systems, the critical current density scales inversely with the mechanical deformation resistance of the electrodeposited metal. We then present two novel electrode architectures in which a liquid phase enables higher critical current densities via interfacial stress relief and current homogenization. First, biphasic (liquid-solid) Na-K alloys are shown to exhibit K⁺ critical current densities over 15 mA cm⁻², in contrast to 2.5 mA cm⁻² for pure K metal. Second, an interfacial film of Na-K liquid between Li metal and Li₆.₇₅La₃Zr₁.₇₅Ta₀.₂₅O₁₂ solid electrolyte doubles the critical current density compared to cells without the Na-K interlayer. These design approaches hold promise for overcoming mechanical stability issues that have heretofore limited the performance of solid state batteries.
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spelling mit-1721.1/1392882022-01-15T03:19:38Z Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes Park, Joon Young Richard Chiang, Yet-Ming Carter, W. Craig Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering An important unresolved topic in materials science is the mechanism by which metals infiltrate solid electrolytes during electrodeposition. A deep understanding of this phenomenon in Li+-conducting solid electrolytes could determine whether these materials can enable fast-charging (> 3 mA cm⁻²) solid state batteries that are safer and more energy-dense than the state of the art. At present, it is thought that intensified stresses are generated at the largest surface flaws on the electrolyte during electrodeposition, and at the critical current density these stresses drive brittle fracture within the bulk to create paths for metal advancement. This thesis demonstrates that metal penetration depends on two additional factors. The first is whether electric field focusing is present between the stripping and plating electrodes. We show that amplified electric fields, which correlate with increased local current densities, cause Li filled cracks to initiate and grow to penetration, overriding the presence of larger surface defects elsewhere. The second factor is the yield stress of the electrodeposited metal. We show that in Li⁺-, Na⁺-, and K⁺-conducting solid state systems, the critical current density scales inversely with the mechanical deformation resistance of the electrodeposited metal. We then present two novel electrode architectures in which a liquid phase enables higher critical current densities via interfacial stress relief and current homogenization. First, biphasic (liquid-solid) Na-K alloys are shown to exhibit K⁺ critical current densities over 15 mA cm⁻², in contrast to 2.5 mA cm⁻² for pure K metal. Second, an interfacial film of Na-K liquid between Li metal and Li₆.₇₅La₃Zr₁.₇₅Ta₀.₂₅O₁₂ solid electrolyte doubles the critical current density compared to cells without the Na-K interlayer. These design approaches hold promise for overcoming mechanical stability issues that have heretofore limited the performance of solid state batteries. Ph.D. 2022-01-14T15:01:40Z 2022-01-14T15:01:40Z 2021-06 2021-06-23T14:16:59.480Z Thesis https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/139288 In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted Copyright MIT http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/ application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Park, Joon Young Richard
Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes
title Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes
title_full Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes
title_fullStr Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes
title_full_unstemmed Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes
title_short Mechanisms of Metal Penetration in Solid Electrolytes
title_sort mechanisms of metal penetration in solid electrolytes
url https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/139288
work_keys_str_mv AT parkjoonyoungrichard mechanismsofmetalpenetrationinsolidelectrolytes