Assessment of Core-Shell and Agglomerate Particle Design for All-Solid-State Batteries

All-solid state lithium polymer batteries are promising next-generation batteries with high safety and energy density. Their success depends on an improved design with a tailored cathode manufacturing process. To facilitate a knowledge-driven optimal design of cathode, a model-based analysis on the impact of the cathode particle structure on the electrochemical cell performance is conducted. During production of solid-state cathodes, small active material particles such as lithium-iron phosphate tend to form large agglomerates with inner electrolyte-filled pores which have significant effect on transport properties within a secondary particle. Therefore, a battery cell model with secondary particles and optionally with a core-shell structure is developed and evaluated. Discharge performance is shown to be stronger impacted by changing the electrolyte fraction inside the particle than by changing the size of the electrolyte core within the secondary particle. A core-shell structure has a positive impact on the discharge performance and should be preferred for high power application. In contrast, cells with homogeneous agglomerate particles show better performance at low discharge rates. Thus, they are recommended for high energy and low power applications. The results of this study highlight the potentials of tailored production process for next-generation batteries

Model-Based Design of High Energy All-Solid-State Li Batteries with Hybrid Electrolytes

As the aircraft industry becomes more committed to sustainable aviation, hybrid-electric propulsion systems containing batteries with higher gravimetric energy density attract increasing attention to reduce fuel consumption. Future aircrafts could benefit from next-generation chemistries like oxide-based all-solid-state Li-battery (ASSB) technologies. However, producing and evaluating a wide range of design parameters for maximising the gravimetric energy density of ASSB experimentally is both time- and resource-intensive. Physics-based modelling promises to identify optimal designs for battery cells with respect to high gravimetric energy density more time and cost-efficient. In this regard, we applied a pseudo-two-dimensional model for the model-based evaluation of Li-ASSB with various hybrid electrolytes containing oxide and polymer electrolytes. This way we elucidate which electrolyte performs well with present technology and which has the potential to become an attractive alternative in the future. After identifying design variables to improve ASSB with the help of sensitivity analysis, a genetic algorithm is used to predict the optimal design parameters to achieve higher gravimetric energy density. The conducted study reveals that ASSB based on 12.7 vol% of garnet Li$_{6.4}$La$_{3}$Zr$_{1.4}$Ta$_{0.6}$O$_{12}$ (LLZTO) is the best option based on present manufacturing constraints. Hybrid electrolytes based on 10 wt% of Li$_{1.3}$Al$_{0.3}$Ti$_{1.7}$(PO$_{4}$) $_{3}$3 (LATP) could be promising for future aircrafts with further improvements in ASSB manufacturing process

Green batteries for clean skies: Sustainability assessment of lithium‐sulfur all‐solid‐state batteries for electric aircraft

The use of novel battery technologies in short-haul electric aircraft can support the aviation sector in achieving its goals for a sustainable development. However, the production of the batteries is often associated with adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts, potentially leading to burden shifting. Therefore, this paper investigates alternative technologies for lithium–sulfur all-solid-state batteries (LiS-ASSBs) in terms of their contribution to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). We propose a new approach that builds on life cycle sustainability assessment and links the relevant impact categories to the related SDGs. The approach is applied to analyze four LiS-ASSB configurations with different solid electrolytes, designed for maximum specific energy using an electrochemical model. They are compared to a lithium–sulfur battery with a liquid electrolyte as a benchmark. The results of our cradle-to-gate analysis reveal that the new LiS-ASSB technologies generally have a positive contribution to SDG achievement. However, the battery configuration with the best technical characteristics is not the most promising in terms of SDG achievement. Especially variations from the technically optimal cathode thickness can improve the SDG contribution. A sensitivity analysis shows that the results are rather robust against the weighting factors within the SDG quantification method

Green batteries for clean skies: Sustainability assessment of lithium‐sulfur all‐solid‐state batteries for electric aircraft

AbstractThe use of novel battery technologies in short‐haul electric aircraft can support the aviation sector in achieving its goals for a sustainable development. However, the production of the batteries is often associated with adverse environmental and socio‐economic impacts, potentially leading to burden shifting. Therefore, this paper investigates alternative technologies for lithium–sulfur all‐solid‐state batteries (LiS‐ASSBs) in terms of their contribution to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). We propose a new approach that builds on life cycle sustainability assessment and links the relevant impact categories to the related SDGs. The approach is applied to analyze four LiS‐ASSB configurations with different solid electrolytes, designed for maximum specific energy using an electrochemical model. They are compared to a lithium–sulfur battery with a liquid electrolyte as a benchmark. The results of our cradle‐to‐gate analysis reveal that the new LiS‐ASSB technologies generally have a positive contribution to SDG achievement. However, the battery configuration with the best technical characteristics is not the most promising in terms of SDG achievement. Especially variations from the technically optimal cathode thickness can improve the SDG contribution. A sensitivity analysis shows that the results are rather robust against the weighting factors within the SDG quantification method.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany's Excellence Strategy ‐ EXC 2163/1‐ Sustainable and Energy Efficient Aviatio