IP Library › Patent Application 17658639
Patent Application
App. No. 17/658,639

BINARY PHOSPHORUS NITRIDE PROTECTIVE SOLID ELECTROLYTE INTERMEDIARY STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES

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Patent No.
US None
App. No.
17/658,639
Abstract

An intermediary solid electrolyte structure having a Li ion conducting solid electrolyte layer with a thin phosphorus nitride film covering provides protection of the solid electrolyte surfaces against reaction with moisture during sulfide glass solid electrolyte storage, transportation, and cell assembly in a dry room atmosphere.

Claims (21)

1 . An intermediary solid electrolyte structure comprising a Li ion conducting solid electrolyte layer having a first major surface and a thin phosphorus nitride film covering the first major surface.

2 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 1 wherein the phosphorus nitride film has stoichiometry of P 3 N 5 .

3 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 2 wherein the solid electrolyte layer is a sulfide-based Li ion conductor.

4 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 3 wherein the sulfide-based Li ion conductor is a glass.

5 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 2 wherein the solid electrolyte layer is an oxide-based or phosphate-based Li ion conductor.

6 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 5 wherein the oxide-based Li ion conductor is of the garnet type.

7 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 1 wherein the thin phosphorus nitride film is lithiated.

8 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the thin phosphorus nitride film is about 10 nm.

9 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the thin phosphorus nitride film is about 10 nm.

10 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the thin phosphorus nitride film is about 20 nm.

11 . The intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the thin phosphorus nitride film is about 20 nm.

12 . A lithium metal electrode assembly comprising the intermediary solid electrolyte structure of claim 1 and further comprising a thin layer of lithium metal covering the phosphorus nitride film.

13 . The lithium metal electrode assembly of claim 12 wherein the lithium metal layer has a thickness of about 2 um.

14 . The lithium metal electrode assembly of claim 12 wherein the lithium metal layer has a thickness of about 5 um.

15 . A method of making an intermediary solid electrolyte structure comprising the steps of providing a solid electrolyte layer and physical vapor depositing a thin film of phosphorus nitride (PxNy, with x and y>0) onto a first major surface of the solid electrolyte layer.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the thickness of the thin phosphorus nitride film is about 20 nm.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the solid electrolyte layer is a sulfide-based Li ion conductor.

18 . The method of claim 16 wherein the solid electrolyte layer is an oxide-based or phosphate-based Li ion conductor.

19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the solid electrolyte layer is of the garnet type.

20 . The methods of claim 15 further comprising the step of evaporating lithium metal onto the phosphorus nitride film.

21 - 22 . (canceled)