Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP) is a high conductive solid-state electrolyte for use in potential solid-state batteries [1]. Concerning higher demands on those batteries, especially in the field of electromobility and portable devices, the solid-state concept offers an opportunity to achieve higher energy densities. In addition, with the elimination of liquid components, there is also no risk of leakage, which offers clear advantages in terms of flammability or contact with the environment.

The stereolithographic production of an open-porous LATP grid body based on a Kelvin cell was investigated. This structure is meant to be used as a solid electrolyte in a new concept of a battery cell. For this purpose, the LATP powder is produced using sol-gel synthesis [2] and processed in a suspension. As an alternative manufacturing technique in addition to proven and tested methods such as the replica technique, the suspension is hardened in a 3D printer using stereolithography and thus printed in layers as an open-porous structure. This is followed by an initial heat treatment to remove the organic components in the green body in order to sinter this debound sample in a dimensionally stable manner.

Keywords: solid state batteries, stereolithography, porous structure, additive manufacturing

References

[1] M. Monchak, T. Hupfer, A. Senyshyn, H. Boysen, D. Chernyshov, T. Hansen, K.G. Schell, E.C. Bucharsky, M.J. Hoffmann, H. Ehrenberg, Lithium Diffusion Pathway in Li1,3Al0,3Ti1,7(PO4)3 (LATP) Superionic Conductor, Inorg. Chem. 55 (2016) 2941–2945. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02821.

[2] C. Bucharsky, K.G. Schell, A. Hintennach, M.J. Hoffmann, Preparation and characterization of sol– gel derived high lithium ion conductive NZP-type ceramics Li1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3, Solid State Ionics. 274 (2015) 77–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssi.2015.03.009.