Device and method suitable for forming sodium film on surface of ion battery material

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the field of manufacturing of electrodes of non-aqueous electrolyte storage batteries, in particular to a device and a method suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. According to the device, metal sodium steam at the preset temperature is provided through the metal sodium steam supply assembly, so that the metal sodium steam is kept at the preset temperature, and condensation is prevented; the metal sodium steam is conveyed to the film forming part through the fan assembly, and the ion battery material slowly passes through the space formed by the film forming part, so that the sodium steam is deposited on the surface of the ion battery material, and therefore, a sodium film can be formed on the surface of the battery material without setting special environments such as high vacuum and organic solvents, and the ion battery material is prevented from being damaged; and the operation cost and the operation risk are reduced. According to the method, the ion battery material can slowly pass through the space formed by the film forming piece, so that the sodium film is formed on the surface, and the production speed of the ion battery is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of electrode manufacturing for non-aqueous electrolyte batteries, and in particular to a device and method suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. Background Art

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] When the ion battery is charged for the first time, the electrolyte will decompose on the surface of the negative electrode to form a solid electrolyte interface film. This process will consume a large amount of sodium ions or lithium ions, resulting in the active ions released from the positive electrode unable to return to the positive electrode, causing permanent capacity loss. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A brief overview of the present application is provided below to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present application. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present application. It is not intended to identify key or important portions of the present application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present application. Its purpose is simply to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be discussed later.

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a device suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material, comprising: a metallic sodium vapor supply component, a film-forming member, and a fan component. The metallic sodium vapor supply component is configured to provide metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature. The fan component is configured to provide metallic sodium vapor to the film-forming member. The film-forming member forms a space, and the ion battery material slowly passes through the space. The metallic sodium vapor in the space forms a sodium film on the ion battery material.

[0006] Another aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a method for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material, which includes the following steps: S1: providing metallic sodium; S2: replacing a film-forming space with an inert gas environment; S3: heating the metallic sodium to obtain metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature; S4: providing metallic sodium vapor to the film-forming space; S5: slowly allowing the ion battery material to pass through the film-forming space, and the metallic sodium vapor is deposited on the ion battery material.

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a device suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. The device provides metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature through a metallic sodium vapor supply component, so that the metallic sodium vapor maintains the predetermined temperature to prevent condensation; the metallic sodium vapor is transported to the film-forming part through a fan component, and the ion battery material is slowly passed through the space formed by the film-forming part so that the sodium vapor is deposited on the surface of the ion battery material. In this way, a sodium film can be formed on the surface of the battery material without setting up special environments such as high vacuum or organic solvents, thereby avoiding damage to the ion battery material and reducing operating costs and risks.

[0008] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. By converting metallic sodium into metallic sodium vapor, it is advantageous to form a sodium film on the ion battery material through vapor condensation. By allowing the ion battery material to slowly pass through the space formed by the film-forming member, the sodium vapor can be uniformly deposited on the surface of the ion battery material. In this way, a sodium film can be formed on the surface of the battery material without setting up a special environment such as high vacuum or organic solvents, thereby avoiding damage to the ion battery material and reducing operating costs and risks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] To further illustrate the above and other advantages and features of the present application, the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated into and form a part of this specification. Elements with the same function and structure are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical examples of the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a device suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material, provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Description of reference numerals:

[0012] 1. Sodium metal vapor supply assembly; 11. Sodium metal container; 12. Heating element; 2. Film-forming element; 3. Fan assembly; 31. Fan; 32. Pipeline; 321. First pipeline; 322. Second pipeline; 323. Sodium metal vapor outlet; 4. Ion battery material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the process of developing any such actual implementation in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting those constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. In addition, it should be understood that although the development work may be very complex and time-consuming, it is a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0014] It is also necessary to explain here that, in order to avoid obscuring the present application due to unnecessary details, the accompanying drawings only show the device structure and / or processing steps that are closely related to the solution according to the present application, while other details that are not closely related to the present application are omitted.

[0015] The disclosure below provides a plurality of different embodiments or examples for implementing the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and methods of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0016] Currently, the overall performance of ion batteries is usually improved by adding lithium powder to the negative electrode. However, this method increases the consumption of lithium resources. Therefore, a method for improving the performance of ion batteries that consumes less resources and does not damage battery materials is needed.

[0017] One aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a device suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a device for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown, Figure 1 As shown, it includes: a metallic sodium vapor supply component 1, a film-forming component 2 and a fan component 3. The metallic sodium vapor supply component 1 is configured to provide metallic sodium vapor of a predetermined temperature. The fan component 3 is configured to provide metallic sodium vapor to the film-forming component 2. The film-forming component 2 forms a space. The ion battery material slowly passes through the space. The metallic sodium vapor in the space forms a sodium film on the ion battery material.

[0018] The embodiment of the present application provides a device suitable for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. The metal sodium vapor supply component 1 provides metal sodium vapor of a predetermined temperature, so that the metal sodium vapor maintains the predetermined temperature to prevent condensation; the fan component 3 transports the metal sodium vapor to the film-forming part 2, and the ion battery material 4 slowly passes through the space formed by the film-forming part 2, so that the sodium vapor is deposited on the surface of the ion battery material 4. In this way, a sodium film can be formed on the surface of the battery material without setting up a special environment such as high vacuum or organic solvent, thereby avoiding damage to the ion battery material and reducing operating costs and risks.

[0019] In some embodiments, the metallic sodium vapor supply assembly 1 includes a metallic sodium container 11 and a heating element 12. The metallic sodium is disposed in the metallic sodium container 11. The heating element 12 is configured to heat the metallic sodium container 11 so that the metallic sodium in the metallic sodium container 11 is converted into metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature, thereby maintaining the continuous conversion of the metallic sodium into metallic sodium vapor and continuously and stably supplying metallic sodium vapor to the film forming element 2.

[0020] In some embodiments, a measuring device may be provided in the sodium metal container 11 to measure parameters such as temperature, liquid level, and pressure in the sodium metal container 11 , thereby monitoring the transformation state of sodium metal into sodium metal vapor and timely controlling environmental indicators such as the heating temperature.

[0021] In some embodiments, the fan assembly 3 includes a fan 31 and a pipeline 32 . The pipeline 32 is configured to connect the metallic sodium vapor supply assembly 1 and the film forming element 2 , and the fan 31 is disposed on the pipeline 32 .

[0022] In some embodiments, the pipeline 32 can be configured to include a first pipeline 321 and a second pipeline 322, and the fan 31 can be set on the first pipeline 321 to drive the inert gas in the film-forming part 2 to flow into the metal sodium container 11 through the first pipeline 321, so as to drive the metal sodium vapor in the metal sodium container 11 to move, and the metal sodium vapor moves from the second pipeline 322 to the space formed by the film-forming part 2, thereby realizing the dynamic circulation of the airflow between the film-forming part 2 and the metal sodium container 11, so that the metal sodium vapor can be continuously transported to the vicinity of the ion battery material 4 in the space of the film-forming part 2, so that the film-forming process is uninterrupted.

[0023] In some embodiments, a conduit 32 is provided at one end of the film-forming member 2 and has multiple spaced-apart sodium vapor outlets 323 formed therein. The ion battery material is configured to slowly pass through the sodium vapor outlets. Spacing the multiple sodium vapor outlets 323 disperses the high temperatures generated by the sodium vapor, preventing the concentrated sodium vapor from being emitted from a single outlet and damaging the ion battery material 4.

[0024] In some embodiments, the pipeline 32 is provided with a heat-insulating member, which is configured to make the temperature of the pipeline higher than the temperature of the metallic sodium vapor, thereby preventing the metallic sodium vapor from condensing and stably supplying the metallic sodium vapor to the film-forming member 2 .

[0025] In some embodiments, an inert gas atmosphere is set inside the film forming part 2, and the fan assembly 3 uses the inert gas as a carrier gas to provide metallic sodium vapor to the film forming part 2, thereby ensuring that the supply of metallic sodium vapor and the deposition process are in an inert environment, avoiding the metallic sodium vapor from contacting with the outside air to produce impurities, ensuring that the sodium film maintains high purity, and the inert gas as a carrier gas can drive the metallic sodium vapor to circulate between the film forming part 2 and the metallic sodium vapor supply assembly 1, making the film forming process continuous.

[0026] In some embodiments, the sodium metal container 11 and the pipeline 32 may also be set to an inert gas atmosphere, and the impurities such as water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the gas are kept at a low level (for example, less than 1 ppm).

[0027] In some embodiments, the heating temperature of the metallic sodium and the flow rate of the inert gas controlled by the blower assembly are controlled so that the concentration of the metallic sodium vapor is a predetermined value.

[0028] In some embodiments, the amount of sodium output from the metallic sodium vapor outlet 323 can be collected or the amount of sodium reduced in the metallic sodium container 11 can be measured to obtain a relationship between the metallic sodium vapor concentration and the heating temperature of the heating element 12 and the inert gas flow rate. Based on the obtained relationship, the heating temperature of the heating element 12 or the inert gas flow rate can be adjusted to achieve precise control of the metallic sodium vapor concentration entering the pipeline 32.

[0029] In some embodiments, the fan 31 can control the gas to circulate at a predetermined flow rate (for example, 1 L / min) so that the inert gas carrying metallic sodium vapor can slowly enter the space formed by the film-forming member 2, and the ion battery material 4 can slowly pass through the space formed by the film-forming member 2 at a predetermined speed (for example, 2 mm / s) so that the metallic sodium vapor is evenly deposited on the ion battery material 4.

[0030] Another aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a method for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material, which includes the following steps: S1: providing metallic sodium; S2: replacing a film-forming space with an inert gas environment; S3: heating the metallic sodium to obtain metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature; S4: providing metallic sodium vapor to the film-forming space; S5: slowly allowing the ion battery material to pass through the film-forming space, and the metallic sodium vapor is deposited on the ion battery material.

[0031] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material. By converting metallic sodium into metallic sodium vapor, it is advantageous to form a sodium film on the ion battery material through vapor condensation. By allowing the ion battery material to slowly pass through the space formed by the film-forming member, the sodium vapor can be uniformly deposited on the surface of the ion battery material. In this way, a sodium film can be formed on the surface of the battery material without setting up a special environment such as high vacuum or organic solvents, thereby avoiding damage to the ion battery material and reducing operating costs and risks.

[0032] In some embodiments, in step S4, the metallic sodium vapor is carried into the film-forming space by an inert gas, so that the transfer process of the metallic sodium vapor is in an inert environment, avoiding the metallic sodium vapor from contacting with the outside air to produce impurities, and ensuring that the sodium film maintains high purity.

[0033] In some embodiments, in step S4, the heating temperature of the metallic sodium and the carrier flow rate of the inert gas are controlled so that the concentration of the metallic sodium vapor is a predetermined value, thereby controlling the thickness of the formed sodium film and ensuring the quality of the produced ion battery.

[0034] In some embodiments, the amount of sodium in the metallic sodium vapor provided to the film-forming space can be collected and the heating temperature in step S3 can be measured to obtain the relationship between the metallic sodium vapor concentration, the heating temperature, and the inert gas flow rate. By adjusting the obtained relationship, the heating temperature or the inert gas flow rate can be adjusted to achieve precise control of the metallic sodium vapor concentration, thereby precisely controlling the thickness of the sodium film.

[0035] In some embodiments, in step S4, when providing metallic sodium vapor in the film-forming space, the metallic sodium vapor is heated, so that the metallic sodium vapor maintains a high temperature so as to be quickly deposited on the ion battery material to form a sodium film, thereby increasing the film-forming speed; at the same time, it can prevent the metallic sodium vapor from cooling and condensing during the transfer to the film-forming space, thereby reducing the loss of metallic sodium vapor and making full use of metallic sodium resources.

[0036] In some embodiments, in step S5, metallic sodium vapor is applied to the ion battery material through multiple spaced outlets, which can disperse the high temperature brought by the metallic sodium vapor and avoid damaging the ion battery material due to the high temperature caused by the concentrated output of metallic sodium vapor from a single outlet.

[0037] In some embodiments, the following steps are also included: S6: spraying electrolyte on the surface of the battery material obtained in step S5; S7: removing the battery material obtained in step S6 from the film-forming space.

[0038] In some embodiments, spraying the surface of the battery material obtained in step S5 with electrolyte can enable the battery material to be quickly encapsulated in the inert atmosphere of the film-forming space after film formation, thereby protecting the formed sodium film and preventing the sodium film from failing; removing the battery material obtained in step S6 from the film-forming space can enable the battery material to enter the battery pack process.

[0039] In some embodiments, the ion battery material is configured to be in a relatively cold state when entering the film forming space, so that the high-temperature metallic sodium vapor can quickly condense on the surface of the ion battery material upon contact, thereby forming a sodium film.

[0040] In some embodiments, the thickness of the sodium film is determined according to the length of the film forming space, the time for the ion battery material to pass through the film forming space, the deposition mass rate of the metallic sodium vapor, and the film forming area of ​​the ion battery material, which conforms to the following relationship: f=V×t / (0.97×S), wherein f represents the thickness of the sodium film, in m; t represents the time for the ion battery material to pass through the film forming space, in s; V represents the mass rate of the ion battery material film formation, in g / s; S represents the film forming area of ​​the ion battery material, in m 2 ; 0.97 represents the density of metallic sodium.

[0041] In some embodiments, the ion battery material 4 can be configured as a lithium battery, which can not only reduce the loss of active lithium ions, but also reduce the lost inactive lithium, thereby saving lithium resources.

[0042] Regarding the embodiments of the present application, it should also be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features therein can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0043] The above are only specific implementation methods of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. The protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material, characterized in that: It includes: Sodium metal vapor supply components, film forming components and fan components, The metallic sodium vapor supply component is configured to provide metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature. The fan assembly is configured to provide the metallic sodium vapor to the film forming member, The film-forming member forms a space, the ion battery material slowly passes through the space, and the metallic sodium vapor in the space forms a sodium film on the ion battery material.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The metallic sodium vapor supply assembly includes a metallic sodium container and a heating element. The metallic sodium is placed in the metallic sodium container. The heating element is configured to heat the metallic sodium container so that the metallic sodium in the metallic sodium container is converted into metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The fan assembly includes a fan and a pipeline. The pipeline is configured to connect the metallic sodium vapor supply assembly and the film-forming member. The fan is arranged on the pipeline.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The pipeline is arranged at one end of the film-forming member to form a plurality of metallic sodium vapor outlets arranged at intervals, and the ion battery material is arranged to slowly pass through the metallic sodium vapor outlets.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The pipeline is provided with a heat-insulating component, and the heat-insulating component is configured to make the temperature of the pipeline higher than the temperature of the metallic sodium vapor.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The film forming member is provided with an inert gas atmosphere, and the blower assembly uses the inert gas as a carrier gas to provide the metallic sodium vapor to the film forming member.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The heating temperature of the metallic sodium and the flow rate of the inert gas controlled by the blower assembly are controlled so that the concentration of the metallic sodium vapor is a predetermined value.

8. A method for forming a sodium film on the surface of an ion battery material, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: S1: provides metallic sodium; S2: Replace the film forming space with an inert gas environment; S3: heating the metallic sodium to obtain metallic sodium vapor at a predetermined temperature; S4: providing the metallic sodium vapor to the film forming space; S5: The ion battery material slowly passes through the film-forming space, and the metallic sodium vapor is deposited on the ion battery material.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that In step S4, the metallic sodium vapor is carried into the film-forming space by using an inert gas.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that In step S4, the heating temperature of the metallic sodium and the carrier flow rate of the inert gas are controlled so that the concentration of the metallic sodium vapor is a predetermined value.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that In step S4, when the metallic sodium vapor is provided in the film forming space, the metallic sodium vapor is heated.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: In step S5, the metallic sodium vapor is applied to the ionic battery material through a plurality of spaced outlets.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: S6: spraying electrolyte on the surface of the battery material obtained in step S5; S7: removing the battery material obtained in step S6 from the film-forming space.

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