Packaging material for air battery, package for air battery, and air battery

Abstract

To provide a package material for an air cell and a package for an air cell each of which enables the amount of oxygen taken into a positive electrode collector to be precisely controlled and therefore enables the entire positive electrode collector to be supplied with oxygen, and an air cell including the package for the air cell.SOLUTION: A package material for an air cell according to the present invention includes a gas permeable region and a gas impermeable region, the gas permeable region has a gas permeation coefficient of 500 cc mm / m2 24 h / atm or more. The maximum diameter of the pores of the gas permeable region is less than 10 μm, and the gas impermeable region has a gas permeation coefficient smaller than that of the gas permeable region. Further, a package for the air cell according to the present invention includes the package material, and an air cell according to the present invention includes the package.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging material for an air battery, a package for an air battery, and an air battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Demand for various portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and wearable devices is expected to continue to increase in the future. Furthermore, with the rapid development of the so-called "Internet of Things (IoT)," it is predicted that various electronic devices will be placed in our daily lives.

[0003] Lithium-ion batteries are currently the mainstream energy source for such electronic devices. Lithium-ion batteries are characterized by their light weight and high energy density, but they have problems such as the high reactivity and scarcity of lithium.

[0004] Air batteries have been proposed as a technology that overcomes the challenges of lithium-ion batteries while further improving their performance. Air batteries use a metal material as the negative electrode active material and oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active material. Air batteries have an energy density far exceeding that of lithium-ion batteries, and can use more common, inexpensive, and safer metal materials such as aluminum and zinc as the negative electrode active material in addition to lithium. Furthermore, because air batteries use oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active material, the air battery itself does not contain a positive electrode active material. Therefore, air batteries have the advantage of being easier to miniaturize and lighter than lithium-ion batteries and other batteries. For this reason, air batteries are considered a mainstream technology in the future.

[0005] As mentioned above, air batteries use oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active material, so the package must be designed to allow oxygen to enter the air. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose a package with an air hole. On the other hand, to prevent reaction with oxygen before use, packaging that blocks oxygen or a mechanism that seals the air intake with a seal or the like is used.

[0006] A conventional air battery will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a cross-sectional view) and FIG. 6 (a plan view). The conventional air battery 100 includes an anode 102, a cathode current collector 104, a separator 106, and a package 112 enclosing these components. The anode 102, the cathode current collector 104, and the separator 106 are immersed in an electrolyte 110. The anode 102 contains a metal material, such as lithium, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, or sodium, as the anode active material. The separator 106 is made of a sheet of porous insulating material that prevents contact between the anode 102 and the cathode current collector 104 while allowing the electrolyte 110 to pass through. The cathode current collector 104 is made of a porous conductor, such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, or graphene. One or more air holes 116 are provided on the surface 114 of the package 112 facing the cathode current collector 104. Oxygen in the air is taken into the positive electrode current collector 104 through the air holes 116 and acts as a positive electrode active material.

[0007] At the negative electrode 102 of the air battery 100, metal ions dissolve in the electrolyte and release electrons. The electrons are extracted to an external circuit through the negative electrode lead. Meanwhile, at the positive electrode current collector 104, electrons are taken in from the external circuit through the positive electrode lead, and the metal ions react with oxygen to form a metal oxide or hydroxide. For example, when zinc is used as the negative electrode active material, the reactions at the negative and positive electrodes are as follows: Negative electrode: Zn+4OH - →Zn(OH)4 2- +2e - →ZnO+H2O+2OH - +2e - Positive electrode: O2+2H2O+4e - →4OH -

[0008] When lithium is used as the negative electrode active material, the reactions at the negative electrode and positive electrode are as follows: Negative electrode: 4Li→4Li + +4e - Positive electrode: 4Li + +O2+4e - →2Li2O

[0009] Therefore, the reaction rate of an air battery is determined by the rate at which oxygen is absorbed from the air and diffused into the positive electrode current collector. To obtain a high-power air battery, the air holes must be made larger or increased in number. Conversely, to obtain a low-power air battery, the air holes must be made smaller or reduced in number.

[0010] However, the method of capturing oxygen from the air through air holes in the package has the following problems. Specifically, the size and number of air holes do not allow for very precise control of the oxygen diffusion rate, making it difficult to obtain the optimal oxygen supply for each application. In particular, electronic devices such as environmental sensors used in IoT applications require long-term operation, e.g., several months to several years, without battery replacement or charging, from a maintenance perspective. However, such electronic devices are generally designed to require very little power. Therefore, the air batteries used in such electronic devices must be able to generate power for long periods of time at ultra-low output, in order to balance their high capacity with long life. Even extremely small air holes, such as pinholes, are macroscopic compared to oxygen molecules, making it difficult to continuously limit the amount of oxygen captured to the required minute amount. This results in excessive oxygen supply, which shortens battery life due to self-discharge. Furthermore, reducing the number of air holes to limit the amount of oxygen captured prevents oxygen from diffusing to the positive electrode current collector, which is far from the air holes. As a result, the battery reaction is limited to the area around the air holes, preventing effective use of the entire positive electrode current collector, resulting in a substantial decrease in battery capacity. Furthermore, the provision of air holes can cause problems such as electrolyte evaporation and poisoning due to the intrusion of CO2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-067618 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-003940 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a packaging material for an air battery, a package for an air battery, and an air battery including the package for an air battery, which are capable of precisely controlling the amount of oxygen taken up into the positive electrode current collector and supplying oxygen to the entire positive electrode current collector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, a packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a gas permeable region; and a gas impermeable region; A packaging material for an air battery, comprising: Gas permeability area: 500cc·mm / m 2 -Gas permeability coefficient of 24h / atm or more, The gas permeable region has pores with a maximum diameter of less than 10 μm; The gas impermeable regions have a lower gas permeability coefficient than the gas permeable regions.

[0014] In addition, in the packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, The gas permeability of the gas permeable region can be the gas permeability to oxygen.

[0015] In addition, in the packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas permeable region may have a gas permeability coefficient for water that is smaller than the gas permeability coefficient for oxygen.

[0016] In addition, in the packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas permeable region may have a gas permeability coefficient for water that is less than about 0.5 times the gas permeability coefficient for oxygen.

[0017] In addition, in the packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas permeable region may be formed from polydimethylsiloxane.

[0018] In addition, in the packaging material for the air battery according to the embodiment of the present invention, the gas permeable region can be formed from polymethylpentene.

[0019] In addition, in the packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas impermeable region may have a gas permeability coefficient that is less than 0.5 times that of the gas permeable region.

[0020] In addition, in the packaging material for an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas permeable region has a surface tension of 30 dyne / cm or less and / or a contact angle with water of 80° or more.

[0021] A package for an air battery according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: A package for an air battery including the packaging material for the air battery, When an electrode assembly including a negative electrode, a positive electrode current collector, and a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode current collector, and an electrolyte are housed, the gas permeable region is configured to be positioned so that at least a portion of the gas permeable region overlaps with the positive electrode current collector in a plan view.

[0022] Furthermore, in the air battery package according to the embodiment of the present invention, the outer edge of the gas permeable region can be configured to be surrounded by the outer edge of the positive electrode current collector in a plan view.

[0023] An air battery according to yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly including a negative electrode, a positive electrode current collector, and a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode current collector; Electrolytes, a package for the air battery containing the electrode assembly and the electrolyte; Including, at least a portion of the gas permeable region is disposed in a position overlapping with the positive electrode current collector in a plan view; Oxygen in the air is taken into the positive electrode current collector through the gas permeable region and acts as a positive electrode active material.

[0024] Furthermore, the air battery according to the embodiment of the present invention can be arranged so that the outer edge of the gas permeable region is surrounded by the outer edge of the positive electrode current collector in a plan view.

[0025] In addition, in the air battery according to the embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the gas permeable region may be 0.005 mm or more.

[0026] Furthermore, the air battery according to the embodiment of the present invention may be operable in water since the gas permeable region has a gas permeability coefficient for water that is smaller than the gas permeability coefficient for oxygen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the packaging material for an air battery, the package for an air battery, and the air battery of the present invention, the amount of oxygen taken up into the positive electrode current collector can be precisely controlled, and oxygen can be supplied to the entire positive electrode current collector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 shows a plan view of the air battery shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 shows the operation of an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention in water. [Figure 4] 1 shows the operation of an air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention in water. [Figure 5] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional air battery. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the air battery shown in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an air battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the air battery 1 of Fig. 1. The air battery 1 includes an electrode assembly 8 including a negative electrode 2, a positive electrode current collector 4, and a separator 6 disposed between the negative electrode 2 and the positive electrode current collector 4, an electrolyte 10, and an air battery package 12 that houses the electrode assembly 8 and the electrolyte 10. The air battery 1 has the form of a pouch-type battery.

[0030] The negative electrode 2 contains a metal as the negative electrode active material, preferably a metal with a high ionization tendency, such as lithium, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, or sodium. The following description will be given using an example in which the negative electrode active material is zinc. However, materials other than zinc can also be used as the negative electrode active material. The chemical reactions at the positive and negative electrodes in this case will be clear to those skilled in the art of air batteries, although there are differences depending on the negative electrode active material, such as whether a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide is produced, and whether the metal oxide or hydroxide is produced at the positive electrode or the negative electrode.

[0031] An anode lead 22 is connected to the anode 2. The electrons released when the anode active material dissolves in the electrolyte 10 and is ionized are extracted via the anode lead 22 to an external circuit.

[0032] The positive electrode current collector 4 includes a porous conductor such as porous carbon. Porous carbon is chemically stable against the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material. In addition, because it is porous, it has a large surface area, allowing the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material to be efficiently incorporated into the positive electrode current collector. This improves the reaction efficiency of the battery.

[0033] When zinc is used as the negative electrode active material, oxygen taken in from the air accepts electrons in the pores of the positive electrode current collector 4 and reacts with water in the electrolyte to form hydroxide ions. The hydroxide ions then migrate to the negative electrode 2 and generate zinc hydroxide. The zinc hydroxide further becomes zinc oxide and precipitates on the negative electrode 2. Therefore, in the air battery 1, oxygen taken in from the air serves as the positive electrode active material, and the positive electrode current collector 4 only functions to transfer electrons to the oxygen. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which hydroxide ions migrate to the negative electrode to generate zinc hydroxide. However, depending on the material of the negative electrode active material, a metal oxide may be generated at the negative electrode, or metal ions may migrate to the positive electrode to generate a metal oxide or hydroxide at the positive electrode. When zinc is used as the negative electrode active material, the reactions at the negative electrode and positive electrode are as follows. Negative electrode: Zn+4OH - →Zn(OH)4 2- +2e - →ZnO+H2O+2OH - +2e - Positive electrode: O2+2H2O+4e - →4OH -

[0034] A positive electrode lead 24 is connected to the positive electrode current collector 4. Electrons from an external circuit reach the positive electrode current collector 4 via the positive electrode lead 24.

[0035] The separator 6 is disposed between the negative electrode 2 and the positive electrode current collector 4, and is made of an insulating porous material such as a porous polymer that prevents contact between the negative electrode 2 and the positive electrode current collector 4 while allowing the electrolyte 10, metal ions, hydroxide ions, etc. to pass through. The separator 6 has sufficient mechanical strength to prevent a short circuit between the negative electrode 2 and the positive electrode current collector 4 even if the deposited metal oxide or metal hydroxide forms dendrites.

[0036] An electrode assembly 8 is formed by the negative electrode 2, the positive electrode current collector 4, and a separator 6 disposed between the negative electrode 2 and the positive electrode current collector 4. The electrode assembly 8 can have various shapes, such as a laminate or a wound body, depending on the application field and the desired shape. However, since the air battery 1 uses oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active material, it is necessary to capture sufficient oxygen into the positive electrode current collector 4. If the electrode assembly 8 has a shape such as a laminate or a wound body, the positive electrode current collector 4 will be located inside the electrode assembly 8, making it difficult for oxygen in the air to reach the positive electrode current collector 4. Therefore, it is preferable to form the electrode assembly 8 in a sheet shape so that oxygen in the air can be efficiently captured by the positive electrode current collector 4. Forming the electrode assembly 8 in a sheet shape also has the advantage of producing a thin air battery.

[0037] The electrode assembly 8 is housed in a package 12 together with an electrolyte 10. The package 12 is made up of a packaging material that includes a gas permeable region 14 and a gas impermeable region 16.

[0038] Gas permeable region 14 is 500cc·mm / m 2 It has a gas permeability coefficient of 24h / atm or more. The gas permeability coefficient is defined as the volume that a gas at a unit pressure can permeate through a sheet of unit thickness and unit area in a unit time. In other words, the amount of gas that permeates the sheet is proportional to the sheet area, time, and pressure, and inversely proportional to the sheet thickness. 500cc·mm / m 2 In the gas permeable region 14 having a gas permeability coefficient of 24h / atm or more, a gas having a pressure of 1 MPa can penetrate through a thickness of 1 mm and an area of 1 m. 2 When in contact with the gas permeable region 14 of 4000 cm 3 for 1 day, 3 The above gases permeate gas permeable region 14 .

[0039] The material of the gas permeable region 14 preferably has a particularly large oxygen permeability coefficient. Examples of suitable materials for the gas permeable region 14 include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polymethylpentene. PDMS has a permeability coefficient of approximately 6500 cc·mm / m 224h / atm oxygen permeability coefficient, and polymethylpentene has an oxygen permeability coefficient of approximately 500cc mm / m 2 24h / atm or more, e.g., approx. 1600cc mm / m 2 - It has an oxygen permeability coefficient of 24h / atm or more, which allows it to take in enough oxygen from the air to operate the air battery.

[0040] Furthermore, for substances other than oxygen, such as water, if the gas permeability coefficient is less than the oxygen permeability coefficient, the water constituting the electrolyte can be prevented from passing through the gas permeable region 14 and evaporating, which is preferable. For example, polymethylpentene has a permeability coefficient of about 2.5 cc mm / m 2 -It is suitable because it has a water vapor permeability coefficient of 24h / atm.

[0041] The maximum diameter of the pores in the gas permeable region 14 may be less than 10 μm. To suppress the amount of oxygen taken in, the maximum diameter of the pores is preferably 1 μm or less, more preferably 100 nm or less, and the gas permeable region 14 is preferably non-porous. In addition to controlling the pore size, it is preferable to reduce the aperture ratio of the pores in the gas permeable region 14. The aperture ratio is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably 0.1% or less.

[0042] The material used for gas permeable region 14 is preferably water-repellent. For example, the surface tension of such a material is preferably 30 dyne / cm or less, and more preferably 25 dyne / cm or less. The contact angle with water is preferably 80° or more, and more preferably 90° or more.

[0043] Furthermore, the PDMS and polymethylpentene used in the gas permeable region 14 have a characteristic that their gas permeability coefficient for water is smaller than their oxygen permeability coefficient. In particular, the gas permeability coefficient for water of polymethylpentene is less than 1% of its oxygen permeability coefficient. Therefore, the air battery 1 having the gas permeable region 14 according to the present invention has various advantages. For example, when the electrolyte is an aqueous solution, water evaporation from the electrolyte can be prevented, resulting in an air battery with excellent long-term storage and use. Even when such an air battery is stored or used in a humid environment, oxygen uptake into the air battery is ensured while preventing the intrusion of water vapor, resulting in an air battery with excellent long-term storage and use. Furthermore, even when the air battery is submerged in water, the low gas permeability coefficient for water and high water repellency of the gas permeable region 14 prevent water from entering the air battery, and the excellent oxygen permeability of the gas permeable region 14 allows even oxygen dissolved in water to be absorbed into the air battery. Therefore, the air battery according to the present invention can also operate in water by utilizing oxygen dissolved in water.

[0044] If the air battery 1 is directly placed in water, the positive and negative electrodes will short-circuit via the water. Therefore, to confirm the underwater operation of the air battery 1 using polymethylpentene, a conventional button-type air battery open to the atmosphere (i.e., having a through-hole in the package instead of the gas permeable region 14) was encapsulated in a pouch made of polymethylpentene instead of the air battery 1, and the output characteristics were measured. In this case, the pouch made of polymethylpentene corresponds to the gas permeable region 14 of the air battery 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a graph comparing the output characteristics of a button-type air battery encapsulated in a pouch made of polymethylpentene, corresponding to the air battery 1 of the present invention, when used in water with those when used in air and when further sealed and oxygen-blocked. A load with a circuit resistance of 180 Ω was connected to the button-type air battery. Although the output power was lower when used in water compared to when used in air, the battery operated for a longer period of time compared to when used in an oxygen-blocked state, indicating that the battery was operating by absorbing oxygen from the water.

[0045] Similarly, using conventional button-type air batteries, we prepared a sample that was open to the atmosphere without being enclosed in a pouch (air-open sample), a sample that was enclosed in a pouch made of polymethylpentene (polymethylpentene sample), and a sample that was enclosed in a pouch made of a gas barrier material with a low gas permeability coefficient (PET / nylon / polyethylene) (gas barrier sample). As in Figure 3, the pouch corresponds to the gas permeable region 14 of the air battery 1 of the present invention. The operating characteristics of these samples in air and water were measured by connecting circuit resistances of 500 Ω, 1000 Ω, and 1500 Ω, respectively. The results are shown in Table 1 below. Furthermore, the output power of these samples was measured in air by connecting a circuit resistance of 180 Ω. The results are shown in Figure 4. As can be seen from Table 1 and Figure 4, the polymethylpentene sample outputs power in air similar to that of the air-open sample. On the other hand, the gas barrier sample outputs almost no power even in air. Furthermore, unlike the gas barrier sample, the polymethylpentene sample outputs some power in water, although it is inferior to that in air, and it can be seen that the polymethylpentene sample operates by absorbing oxygen from the water, as in the case of Figure 3. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the air battery 1 having the gas permeable region 14 formed from polymethylpentene can operate in water if short-circuiting due to water at the positive and negative electrodes can be prevented.

[0046] [Table 1]

[0047] On the other hand, the gas impermeable region 16 has a smaller gas permeability coefficient than the gas permeable region 14. For example, the gas permeability coefficient of the gas impermeable region 16 can be less than 0.5 times, preferably less than 0.3 times, and more preferably less than 0.02 times the gas permeability coefficient of the gas permeable region 14. Examples of materials having such gas permeability coefficients include polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the like. The gas permeability coefficients for oxygen (oxygen permeability coefficients) of these materials are shown in Table 2, along with the oxygen permeability coefficient of PDMS.

[0048] [Table 2]

[0049] By configuring the gas-impermeable region 16 in this way, it is possible to impart high gas permeability only to the desired region of the packaging material, thereby supplying necessary oxygen only to the desired region of the air battery 1, i.e., the positive electrode current collector 4 as described below, and blocking oxygen from other regions, thereby preventing deterioration of the internal components.

[0050] When the electrode assembly 8 is housed in the package 12, the gas permeable region 14 is preferably positioned so that at least a portion of the gas permeable region 14 overlaps the positive electrode current collector 4 in a planar view. Because the gas permeable region 14 has a large gas permeability coefficient as described above, oxygen in the air passes through the gas permeable region 14 and is absorbed into the positive electrode current collector 4, where it is used as the positive electrode active material of the air battery 1. With this configuration, oxygen is absorbed throughout almost the entire positive electrode current collector 4 via the gas permeable region 14, resulting in a nearly uniform distribution of oxygen within the positive electrode current collector 4. Therefore, unlike conventional air batteries that absorb oxygen through air holes, the air battery 1 of the present invention does not require oxygen absorbed from the air to diffuse in the in-plane direction of the positive electrode current collector 4, allowing a uniform reaction to occur throughout the entire positive electrode current collector 4. Because the reaction is uniform throughout the entire positive electrode current collector 4, the entire positive electrode current collector 4 can be effectively utilized to generate power, preventing a substantial decrease in battery capacity. Furthermore, since the reaction at the positive electrode occurs throughout the entire positive electrode current collector 4, the current density at the positive electrode current collector 4 can be reduced, preventing concentration of current energy and deterioration of the positive electrode current collector 4, resulting in a safe and long-life air battery.

[0051] Furthermore, the gas permeation paths in gas permeable region 14 are extremely microscopic compared to air holes. Therefore, in applications that require continuous low-output power generation for long periods of time, such as environmental sensors for IoT, the amount of oxygen taken in can be appropriately limited, preventing self-discharge caused by an excessive oxygen supply and extending battery life.

[0052] Furthermore, in conventional air batteries, the oxygen supply rate had to be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of air holes or adjusting the diameter of the air holes, resulting in very rough control. Furthermore, it was difficult to adjust the air inflow rate after manufacturing air batteries with a predetermined number and size of air holes. However, in the air battery 1 of the present invention, the gas permeability is proportional to the thickness of the gas permeable region 14, based on the definition of the gas permeability coefficient. Therefore, the oxygen supply rate can be precisely adjusted by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the gas permeable region 14. For example, the thickness of the gas permeable region 14 may be 0.005 mm or more. The thickness can be determined based on the required oxygen supply rate during the manufacturing of the package 12. Alternatively, after manufacturing the air battery 1, for example, during use, the air battery 1 can be further packaged in a package having an additional gas permeable region 14, which effectively increases the thickness of the gas permeable region 14 and limits the oxygen supply rate.

[0053] 2 , it is preferable that gas permeable region 14 is slightly smaller than positive electrode current collector 4 so that the outer edge of gas permeable region 14 is surrounded by the outer edge of positive electrode current collector 4 in a plan view, and the entire other area is covered by gas impermeable region 16. With this configuration, oxygen in the air is taken in only by positive electrode current collector 4, and other components of electrode assembly 8, such as negative electrode 2 and separator 6, are protected from oxygen, preventing material deterioration.

[0054] It is also preferable that gas permeable region 14 has low surface tension and is water resistant. When gas permeable region 14 has low surface tension and is water resistant, it is possible to prevent water from entering the air battery, thereby obtaining a highly reliable air battery.

[0055] In this specification, the air battery 1 has been described as having a pouch-type battery configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, it is clear that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Even when the air battery 1 has a configuration such as a button-type battery, a dry cell battery, or an automotive battery, the gas permeable region 14 described herein can be provided in the region of the package 12 corresponding to the positive electrode current collector 4, as in the air battery 1 having the pouch-type battery configuration described in FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the air battery 1 configured in this manner, oxygen is taken in throughout almost the entire positive electrode current collector 4 through the gas permeable region 14, resulting in a nearly uniform distribution of oxygen within the positive electrode current collector 4. Therefore, unlike conventional air batteries that take in oxygen through air holes, the air battery 1 of the present invention does not need to diffuse oxygen taken in from the air in the in-plane direction of the positive electrode current collector 4, and a reaction can occur uniformly throughout the entire positive electrode current collector 4. Because the reaction occurs uniformly throughout the positive electrode current collector 4, the entire positive electrode current collector 4 can be effectively used to generate power, preventing a substantial decrease in battery capacity. Furthermore, because the reaction at the positive electrode occurs throughout the positive electrode current collector 4, the current density in the positive electrode current collector 4 can be reduced, preventing current energy concentration and deterioration of the positive electrode current collector 4, resulting in a safe, long-life air battery.

[0056] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above as examples, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Air battery 2 negative electrode 4 Positive electrode current collector 6 Separator 8 Electrode assembly 10 Electrolytes 12 packages 14 Gas permeable area 16 Gas impermeable area 22 Negative lead 24 Positive lead 100 Conventional air battery 102 Negative electrode 104 Positive electrode current collector 106 Separator 110 Electrolytes 112 packages 114 Package Surface 116 Air Hole

Claims

1. An electrode assembly including a negative electrode, a positive electrode current collector, and a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode current collector; Electrolytes, a package for an air battery that accommodates the electrode assembly and the electrolyte; An air battery comprising: the air battery package includes an air battery packaging material, The packaging material: a gas permeable region; and a gas impermeable region; Including, The gas permeable region is 500 cc mm / m ２ -Having a gas permeability coefficient of 24h / atm or more, The gas permeable region has pores with a maximum diameter of less than 10 μm; the gas impermeable region has a gas permeability coefficient that is lower than that of the gas permeable region; when an electrolyte is housed in the battery, the gas permeable region overlaps the positive electrode current collector in a planar view, the gas permeable region has an outer edge that is surrounded by the outer edge of the positive electrode current collector in a planar view, and the gas permeable region is exposed to the outside except for the outer edge, The air battery is configured such that oxygen in the air is taken into the positive electrode current collector through the gas permeable region and acts as a positive electrode active material.

2. 2. The air battery of claim 1, wherein the gas permeability coefficient of the gas permeable region is a gas permeability coefficient for oxygen.

3. 10. The air battery of claim 1, wherein the gas permeable region has a gas permeability coefficient for water that is less than a gas permeability coefficient for oxygen.

4. 4. The air battery of claim 3, wherein the gas permeable region has a gas permeability coefficient for water that is less than about 0.5 times its gas permeability coefficient for oxygen.

5. 10. The air battery of claim 1, wherein the gas permeable region is formed from polydimethylsiloxane.

6. 10. The air battery of claim 1, wherein the gas permeable region is formed from polymethylpentene.

7. 2. The air battery of claim 1, wherein the gas impermeable region has a gas permeability coefficient that is less than 0.5 times that of the gas permeable region.

8. 2. The air battery of claim 1, wherein the gas permeable region has a surface tension of 30 dyne / cm or less and / or a contact angle with water of 80 degrees or more.

9. The air battery according to claim 1 , wherein the outer edge of the gas permeable region is configured to be surrounded by the outer edge of the positive electrode current collector in a plan view.

10. The air battery according to claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of the gas permeable region is disposed so as to be surrounded by an outer edge of the positive electrode current collector in a plan view.

11. 10. The air battery according to claim 1, wherein the gas permeable region has a thickness of 0.005 mm or more.

12. the gas permeable region has a gas permeability coefficient for water that is less than the gas permeability coefficient for oxygen; 10. The air battery according to claim 1, which is operable in water.

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