A flash co-sintering strategy for the fabrication of LiPON-based bulk-type solid-state lithium ion battery - Appendix G

Solid-state lithium ion batteries have long been expected due to their safer operation than the traditional lithium ion batteries, which use a liquid electrolyte that is flammable and may decompose and generate gases, causing a fire and/or explosion hazard. However, the development and commercialization of solid-state lithium ion batteries have been slow, primarily because of the lack of a perfect solid-state electrolyte and/or an efficient method to produce the electrolyte or manufacture solid-state batteries. LiPON (lithium phosphorus oxynitride) is so far the only solid-state electrolyte that can effectively suppress the lithium dendrite growth – a phenomenon in lithium ion batteries that causes a short circuit to the anode and cathode, but the fabrication is based on vacuum sputtering, making the solid-state lithium ion batteries with a LiPON thin film highly priced. The proposed research is to explore an ammonolysis method for the synthesis of LiPON powder and a facile and scalable method for the fabrication of bulk-type solid-state lithium ion batteries with the LiPON powder. The method for the battery fabrication involves making battery pellets by consequently pressing anode material, LiPON powder and cathode material and then heating the pellets via flash sintering. The pressing way makes the manufacturing of batteries highly efficient, while the flash sintering that heat the pellet at a sufficiently high temperature but for a very short time (< 60 s) will result in batteries with a highly dense body and ideal interfaces between the solid-state electrolyte and active materials. It is expected that these structural advantages may facilitate the diffusion of lithium ions in the electrolyte and promote the intercalation/deintercalation reactions taking place in the anode and cathode, giving rise to batteries with a high power density and excellent cyclic performance. The proposed research also involves investigating the performance of the as-developed all-ceramic solid-state lithium ion batteries when operating at elevated temperatures up to 600 °C. This is of great significance to the need of NASA for safe and durable batteries that can withstand high temperatures and harsh environment during the space exploration.

The proposed research will advance the existing body of knowledge by revealing the feasibility and scientific challenges or technical difficulties of synthesizing LiPON powder and using it to fabricate bulk-type solid-state lithium ion batteries. The propose work will also function to strengthen the general education and research at NDSU and, moreover, stimulate the establishment of a collaborative partnership between the PI’s group and the NASA laboratory.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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