Electrode substrate for rechargeable lithium battery, electrode and rechargeable lithium battery including the same, and method for manufacturing electrode

Abstract

Disclosed examples include an electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium battery, an electrode and a rechargeable lithium battery including the electrode substrate, and a method for manufacturing the electrode. The electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium battery includes: a first metal layer including a first metal; an insulating layer on the first metal layer and including a polymer; and a second metal layer on the insulating layer and including a second metal. The insulating layer has an interconnect hole structure and is divided into a first region and a second region, and the first region further includes a third metal substantially filling the interconnect hole structure within the insulating layer.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0126126, filed on September 13, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] An electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium battery, an electrode including the electrode substrate, a rechargeable lithium battery, and a method for manufacturing the electrode are disclosed. Background Technology

[0003] Rechargeable lithium batteries, which are typically portable and offer high energy density, are widely used as power sources for mobile information terminals such as smartphones and laptops. High-safety and high-capacity rechargeable lithium batteries may also be advantageous for use as power sources in hybrid and electric vehicles or for storing electricity.

[0004] With continued consumer demand for high-capacity, fast-charging, safe, and lightweight rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, improving composite substrate technology may be advantageous. A composite substrate refers to a current collector with a multilayer structure comprising metal layers on both surfaces of a polymer layer. Such composite substrates, where a portion of the metal thin film (a common current collector) (e.g., Al for the positive electrode, Cu for the negative electrode) is replaced by an insulating layer such as a polymer film, can consume less metal and can reduce or prevent short circuits during penetration due to differences in the elongation of the internal materials.

[0005] However, a potential drawback of this composite substrate is that when strip terminals are attached to it, one surface of the metal layer can be electrically connected due to the insulating properties of the insulating layer, but the other surface of the metal layer cannot be electrically connected.

[0006] To address this drawback, one approach is to first attach a standard substrate connector to one surface of each metal layer and then connect strip terminals to the standard connector. However, this approach can increase the length of the standard substrate connector, making assembly challenging and potentially causing short circuits. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Some example embodiments include an electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium battery, which is configured to electrically connect two metal layers even when strip terminals are directly soldered without separate substrate tabs for electrically connecting the metal layers, while also reducing or preventing short circuits during penetration.

[0008] Some example embodiments include an electrode and a method of manufacturing the electrode, the electrode including an electrode substrate of the example embodiments.

[0009] Some example embodiments include a rechargeable lithium battery that includes electrodes from example embodiments.

[0010] Some example embodiments include an electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium battery, the electrode substrate comprising: a first metal layer including a first metal; an insulating layer on the first metal layer and including a polymer; and a second metal layer on the insulating layer and including a second metal. The insulating layer has an interconnect structure and is divided into a first region and a second region, and the first region further includes a third metal substantially filling the interconnect structure within the insulating layer.

[0011] Some example embodiments include an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, the electrode comprising: the aforementioned electrode substrate; strip terminals on a first region of the electrode substrate; and an active material layer on a second region of the electrode substrate.

[0012] Some example embodiments include a method for manufacturing an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, the method comprising: forming an active material layer on one surface of an electrode substrate; attaching strip terminals to either a first metal layer or a second metal layer on the electrode substrate where the active material layer is not formed; and melting a first metal or a second metal included in the first metal layer or the second metal layer in the region to which the strip terminals are attached, to substantially fill interconnects in an insulating layer.

[0013] Some example embodiments include a rechargeable lithium battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is the aforementioned electrode according to the example embodiment.

[0014] According to some example embodiments, the electrode substrate can electrically connect the two metal layers even when the strip terminals are directly soldered without separate substrate tabs that electrically connect the two metal layers, while also reducing or preventing short circuits during penetration. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the short-circuit mechanism in conventional composite materials.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a strip-shaped terminal connected to a conventional composite substrate.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode substrate according to some example embodiments.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrode substrate or electrode manufactured according to a manufacturing method based on some example embodiments.

[0019] Figures 5 to 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rechargeable lithium battery according to some example embodiments.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery according to an example embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail. However, these embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and is defined by the scope of the claims.

[0022] As used herein, unless otherwise specifically defined, it is understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be “directly on” the other element, or there may be an intervening element.

[0023] As used herein, the singular may also include the plural unless otherwise specifically defined. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, “A or B” may indicate “including A, including B, or including both A and B”.

[0024] As used herein, “combination of” can refer to a mixture, stack, complex, copolymer, alloy, blend or reaction product of the components.

[0025] As used herein, unless otherwise specifically defined, “substitution” means at least one hydrogen atom of a compound being replaced by a halogen atom (F, Cl, Br or I), a hydroxyl group, a C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an amino group, an imino group, an azide group, an amido group, a hydrazine group, a hydrazone group, a carbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, a thiol group, an ester group, an ether group, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, a phosphate group or a salt thereof, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C2 to C20 alkynyl group, a C6 to C30 aryl group, a C3 to C20 cycloalkyl group, a C3 to C20 cycloalkenyl group, a C3 to C20 cycloalkynyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocyclic alkyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocyclic alkenyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocyclic alkynyl group, or a combination thereof.

[0026] As used herein, unless otherwise specifically defined, “heterocyclic alkyl,” “heterocyclic alkenyl,” “heterocyclic alkynyl,” and “hemiecyclic alkylene” mean the presence of at least one N, O, S, or P in a cyclic compound of cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, and heterocyclic alkylene.

[0027] In the chemical formulas of this specification, unless otherwise specifically defined, hydrogen bonds are depicted at positions where they should be.

[0028] When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in conjunction with numerical values ​​in this specification, it is intended that the relevant numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated value. When a range is specified, the range includes all values ​​within that range, such as increments of 0.1%.

[0029] Electrode substrate: Some example embodiments include an electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the electrode substrate comprising: a first metal layer including a first metal; an insulating layer on the first metal layer and including a polymer; and a second metal layer on the insulating layer and including a second metal. The insulating layer has an interconnect structure and is divided into a first region and a second region, and the first region further includes a third metal that substantially fills the interconnect structure within the insulating layer.

[0030] The first and second metal layers are configured to transfer current to or from the active material during charging and discharging, and constitute a current collector as commonly known.

[0031] Conventional current collectors typically consist of a thin film of metal, either made entirely of these metal layers or comprising only these metal layers. However, conventional current collectors may be susceptible to electrical short circuits, thermal runaway, and / or explosions in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries when deformed due to physical and / or chemical factors.

[0032] Therefore, a composite substrate with a metal layer-insulator-metal layer structure can be obtained by replacing the conventional current collector that is part of the metal thin film with an insulating layer such as a polymer film.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the short-circuit mechanism in conventional composite materials. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a strip-shaped terminal connected to a conventional composite substrate.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 Composite substrates can reduce or prevent short circuits during penetration due to the tensile difference between the metal and insulating layers. However, as... Figure 2 As shown, because the insulating layer 2 of the known composite substrate has a porosity of about 0% by volume (i.e., a structure that is essentially completely filled with an insulator such as a polymer), when the strip terminal 5 is connected to it, only the metal layer 1 connected to the strip terminal 5 is electrically connected, while the other metal layer 1 is not electrically connected.

[0035] To address this issue, a method has been proposed to attach a common substrate connector 4 to each metal layer 1 and connect a strip terminal 5 to the common substrate connector 4. However, this method has another problem: the increased length of the common substrate connector makes assembly difficult and can lead to short circuits.

[0036] According to some example embodiments, the electrode substrate can be replaced with an insulating layer having a porous structure with multiple holes instead of a conventional insulating layer with a porosity of about 0% by volume, in order to reduce or suppress short circuits during penetration, and to electrically connect the two metal layers even when the strip terminals are directly soldered without ordinary substrate tabs.

[0037] The components of the electrode substrate are described in detail below.

[0038] Insulation layer The insulating layer according to some example embodiments has a porous structure with multiple holes, such as an interconnect hole structure.

[0039] Typically, interconnected hole structures have a higher surface area than dense materials. These hole structures are classified into open-hole structures and closed-hole structures. An interconnected hole structure refers to a structure where holes are interconnected without any closed holes.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrode substrate according to some example embodiments. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the insulating layer 6 has an open structure with interconnected holes 7, and the holes are distributed substantially uniformly from one surface A to the other surface B of the insulating layer.

[0041] Because the insulating layer 6 has such an interconnecting hole structure, the first and second metal layers can be electrically connected even when the strip terminal (not shown) is connected to either the first metal layer 1 or the second metal layer 1. As described below, the region 9 to which the strip terminal (not shown) is attached can be the first region 9 described below, where the metal of the first or second metal layer 1 can be melted through the strip terminal (not shown) and can substantially fill the interconnecting holes in the insulating layer. Furthermore, the region where the strip terminal (not shown) is not attached can be the second region 8 described below.

[0042] The apertures in the insulating layer can have dimensions ranging from about 50 nm to about 200 nm, about 60 nm to about 180 nm, about 70 nm to about 160 nm, about 80 nm to about 140 nm, or about 90 nm to about 120 nm. When the apertures in the insulating layer have dimensions within the above ranges, not only can short circuits be effectively reduced or suppressed during penetration, but also when the strip terminal is connected to either the first or second metal layer without a separate substrate tab, both the first and second metal layers can be electrically connected to the strip terminal. The aperture dimensions can be measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis method.

[0043] The holes in the insulating layer can have any shape, as long as the shape has an interconnecting structure, without any particular limitation. For example, the holes can be spherical, cylindrical, crack-like, channel-like, mesh-like, layered, etc. In some example embodiments, the holes in the insulating layer can be substantially spherical or mesh-like, and the spherical or mesh-like holes can have a structure that contacts and connects with each other.

[0044] The insulating layer comprises a polymer. The polymer may be or include thermoplastic or thermosetting resins that have a high elongation compared to the first and second metal layers but a heat distortion temperature lower than the ignition temperature of the electrolyte.

[0045] Thermoplastic resins may include at least one of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and combinations thereof, or combinations of monomers constituting the above compounds.

[0046] Thermosetting resins may include at least one of polyurethane (PU), epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyimide resin, unsaturated polyester, vinyl polyester, and combinations thereof, or combinations of monomers constituting these.

[0047] The insulating layer may be made primarily of or comprise polymers. For example, based on 100 wt% of the insulating layer, the polymer content may be greater than or equal to about 90 wt%, greater than or equal to about 95 wt%, greater than or equal to about 97 wt%, greater than or equal to about 99 wt%, greater than or equal to about 99.9 wt%, or 100 wt%.

[0048] The thickness of the insulating layer can be appropriately adjusted according to the purpose. The thickness of the insulating layer can range from about 4 μm to about 15 μm, for example, from about 4 μm to about 12 μm, from about 4 μm to about 10 μm, or from about 4 μm to about 8 μm. The thickness of the insulating layer can be appropriately adjusted to reduce or prevent short circuits during penetration and to allow electrical connection with the strip terminals. The thickness of the insulating layer can be measured by taking a cross-sectional photograph of the insulating layer using, for example, a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

[0049] The insulating layer is divided into a first region and a second region. The first region also includes a third metal that substantially fills the interconnect hole structure within the insulating layer, and the second region exists with the holes in the interconnect hole structure within the insulating layer empty.

[0050] The third metal may be the same as or different from the first or second metal described below. In some example embodiments, the third metal may be the same as the first or second metal described below. In this case, the third metal may be or include molten first or second metal present in the first or second metal layer, and substantially fills the interconnect hole structure within the insulating layer during the soldering process by connecting strip terminals to one surface of the first or second metal layer.

[0051] The first region can be a region on either the surface of the first metal layer or the second metal layer where strip terminals are attached.

[0052] The second region within the insulating layer can be empty, with virtually no other material (e.g., no metal such as a third metal) filling the holes in the interconnect structure.

[0053] The first region within the insulating layer may have almost no or substantially no pores. For example, based on the 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the porosity of the first region may be less than about 10% volume and greater than or equal to about 9% volume, greater than or equal to about 8% volume, greater than or equal to about 7% volume, greater than or equal to about 6% volume, greater than or equal to about 5% volume, greater than or equal to about 4% volume, greater than or equal to about 3% volume, greater than or equal to about 2% volume, greater than or equal to about 1% volume, greater than or equal to about 0.5% volume, greater than or equal to about 0.1% volume, or greater than or equal to about 0% volume. The pores in the first region are filled by a third metal and are therefore almost non-existent or completely non-existent. In the insulating layer, when the porosity of the first region is within the above range based on the 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the two metal layers can be electrically connected even when the strip terminal is directly soldered to the first region without a common substrate connector.

[0054] The second region in the insulating layer can be where most of the pores in the insulating layer can exist. For example, based on 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the porosity of the second region can be greater than about 90% volume, greater than or equal to about 91% volume, greater than or equal to about 92% volume, greater than or equal to about 93% volume, greater than or equal to about 94% volume, greater than or equal to about 95% volume, greater than or equal to about 96% volume, greater than or equal to about 97% volume, greater than or equal to about 98% volume, greater than or equal to about 99% volume, greater than or equal to about 99.5% volume, greater than or equal to about 99.9% volume, or 100% volume. When the second region in the insulating layer has a porosity within the above range based on 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, a safe battery can be achieved.

[0055] The ratio (B / A) of the porosity (B) of the second region in the insulating layer to the porosity (A) of the insulating layer can be in the range of about 0.9 to about 1. For example, the ratio is greater than or equal to about 0.9 and less than or equal to about 1, and according to some example embodiments, the ratio can be equal to about 1.

[0056] The first region may correspond to an uncoated region, where the active material layer described below is not coated on the electrode substrate described below, and the second region may be a region coated with the active material layer described below.

[0057] The insulating layer can be formed by any method, as long as the method forms an interconnect structure, without any particular limitation. For example, the insulating layer can be formed by adding a molten polymer to a mold and solidifying and etching the molten polymer, or by preparing a spinning solution containing a polymer and electrospinning the polymer to form a 3D structure made of or including nanowires.

[0058] Metal layers (first metal layer and second metal layer) The first and second metal layers are typically conductive layers, and are conductive in both the planar and thickness directions.

[0059] For example, the first metal and the second metal may independently include at least one of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and combinations thereof.

[0060] For example, when the electrode substrate in some example embodiments is part of a positive electrode, the first metal and the second metal may independently include aluminum (Al), and when the electrode substrate in some example embodiments is part of a negative electrode, the first metal and the second metal may independently include copper (Cu).

[0061] The first metal layer and the second metal layer may have a thickness ratio in the range of about 3:7 to about 7:3 or about 4:6 to about 6:4. For example, the first metal layer and the second metal layer may have substantially the same thickness.

[0062] Based on the total thickness of 100% of the electrode substrate, the sum of the thicknesses of the first metal layer and the second metal layer can be less than or equal to about 40%, less than or equal to about 30%, or less than or equal to about 25%. Within the above range, the effects of the first metal layer and the second metal layer can synergize with the effects of the functional layer.

[0063] The first and second metal layers can be formed by, for example, deposition, coating, lamination, electroplating, etc.

[0064] electrode: Some example embodiments include an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, the electrode including an electrode substrate, strip terminals located in a first region of the electrode substrate, and an active material layer located in a second region of the electrode substrate.

[0065] The first region of the electrode substrate refers to the region on the electrode substrate that extends in the thickness direction corresponding to the first region of the insulating layer, and the second region of the electrode substrate refers to the region on the electrode substrate that extends in the thickness direction corresponding to the second region of the insulating layer.

[0066] The strip terminals are configured to electrically connect the exterior of the rechargeable lithium battery to the electrode substrate, as described below.

[0067] The methods used to manufacture electrodes are unrestricted.

[0068] According to some example embodiments, a method of manufacturing an electrode includes: forming an active material layer on one surface of an electrode substrate; attaching strip terminals to either surface of a first metal layer or a second metal layer of the electrode substrate on which the active material layer is not formed; and melting a first metal or a second metal included in the first metal layer or the second metal layer in the region where the strip terminals are attached, to substantially fill interconnect holes in an insulating layer.

[0069] Because the third metal impregnated / immersed in the interconnect structure of the insulating layer interconnects the first and second metal layers, the metal layer to which the strip terminal is attached can be electrically connected to the other metal layer even when the strip terminal is attached to a portion of either the first or second metal layer. Here, the third metal can be substantially the same as the metal included in the metal layer to which the strip terminal is attached. For example, when the strip terminal is attached to the first metal layer, the third metal can be the same as the first metal, but when the strip terminal is attached to the second metal layer, the third metal can be the same as the second metal.

[0070] In other words, the first region can be a region on one surface of either the first metal layer or the second metal layer where the strip terminal is attached.

[0071] The strip-shaped terminals can be attached by welding. Here, welding can be, for example, laser welding or ultrasonic welding. The area where welding is performed can be the entire area where the strip-shaped terminal is attached to the electrode substrate, wherein this area can be a first area.

[0072] Depending on the settings of the laser welding apparatus, the weld joints can have various shapes, such as multiple points, multiple straight lines or multiple curves, or specific shapes. Welding generates heat that melts the metal layer to which the strip terminals are attached, thus essentially filling the pores inside the insulation layer.

[0073] On the other hand, when the interconnecting hole structure inside the insulation layer of the second region without attached strip terminals is impregnated / immersed in metal with a metal layer in the same way as the first region, the insulation layer may not function properly, causing a short circuit during penetration.

[0074] In other words, in the first region where the strip terminals are attached, the interconnect hole structure inside the insulating layer is impregnated / immersed in the metal of the metal layer to which the strip terminals are attached, but in the second region where the strip terminals are not attached, the holes of the interconnect hole structure inside the insulating layer are not filled with metal and are essentially empty.

[0075] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrode substrate or electrode manufactured according to a manufacturing method based on some example embodiments. In the first region 9 where the strip terminals 5 are attached, the metal of the first metal layer 1 or the second metal layer 1 is melted and substantially fills the interconnecting holes in the insulating layer, but in the second region 8 where the strip terminals 5 are not attached, the holes in the insulating layer are open. In the second region, an active material layer 3 may be provided. This structure not only allows for electrical connection of the first and second metal layers even when the strip terminals 5 are attached to a surface of the first or second metal layer 1 without the attachment of ordinary substrate tabs, but also allows the insulating layer 6 to reduce or prevent electrical short circuits, thermal runaway, and / or explosions of the rechargeable lithium battery when it is deformed due to physical and / or chemical factors.

[0076] In the following text, the details of the electrode substrate are as described in the electrode substrate section discussed above.

[0077] Active material layer (positive electrode active material layer or negative electrode active material layer) The active material layer may include either a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material. When the active material layer includes a positive electrode active material, the electrode substrate may be a positive electrode, and when the active material layer includes a negative electrode active material, the electrode substrate may be a negative electrode.

[0078] The active material layer may be or may include a positive electrode active material layer containing positive electrode active material.

[0079] The positive electrode active material may include compounds capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium (lithiation intercalation compounds). For example, a composite oxide of lithium with at least one metal such as or including at least one of cobalt, manganese, nickel and combinations thereof may be used.

[0080] The composite oxide can be or includes lithium transition metal composite oxides, and examples may include at least one of lithium nickel oxides, lithium cobalt oxides, lithium manganese oxides, lithium iron phosphate compounds, cobalt-free lithium nickel manganese oxides, and combinations thereof.

[0081] As an example, a compound represented by any of the following chemical formulas can be used. Li a A 1-b X b O 2-c D c (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05); Li a Mn 2-b X b O 4-c D c (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05); Li a Ni 1-b-c Co b X c O 2-α D α (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2); Li a Ni 1-b- c Mn b X c O 2-α D α (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2); Li a Ni b Co c L 1 d G e O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.9, 0≤c≤0.5, 0≤d≤0.5, 0≤e≤0.1); Li a NiG b O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a CoG bO2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a Mn 1-b G b O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a Mn2G b O4 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a Mn 1-g G g PO4 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤g≤0.5); Li (3-f) Fe2(PO4)3 (0≤f≤2); Li a FePO4 (0.90≤a≤1.8).

[0082] In the above chemical formula, A is or includes at least one of Ni, Co, Mn, and combinations thereof; X is or includes at least one of Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, rare earth elements, and combinations thereof; D is or includes at least one of O, F, S, P, and combinations thereof; G is or includes at least one of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, V, and combinations thereof; and L 1 It is or includes at least one of Mn, Al and combinations thereof.

[0083] The positive electrode active material may be or include at least one of the following: lithium nickel oxide represented by chemical formula 11 below, lithium cobalt oxide represented by chemical formula 12 below, lithium iron phosphate compound represented by chemical formula 13 below, cobalt-free lithium nickel manganese oxide represented by chemical formula 14 below, and combinations thereof.

[0084] Chemical Formula 11: Li a1 Ni x1 M 1 y1 M 2 z1 O 2-b1 X b1 In chemical formula 11, 0.9 ≤ a1 ≤ 1.8, 0.3 ≤ x1 ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y1 ≤ 0.7, 0 ≤ z1 ≤ 0.7, 0.9 ≤ x1 + y1 + z1 ≤ 1.1, and 0 ≤ b1 ≤ 0.1, M 1 and M 2 Each is independently one or more of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr, and X is one or more of F, P, and S.

[0085] In Chemical Formula 11, 0.6 ≤ x1 ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y1 ≤ 0.4, and 0 ≤ z1 ≤ 0.4, or 0.8 ≤ x1 ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y1 ≤ 0.2, and 0 ≤ z1 ≤ 0.2.

[0086] Chemical Formula 12: Li a2 Co x2 M 3 y2 O 2-b2 X b2 In Chemical Formula 12, 0.9 ≤ a2 ≤ 1.8, 0.7 ≤ x2 ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y2 ≤ 0.3, 0.9 ≤ x2 + y2 ≤ 1.1, and 0 ≤ b2 ≤ 0.1, M 3 is or includes one or more of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr, and X is or includes one or more of F, P, and S.

[0087] Chemical Formula 13: Li a3 Fe x3 M 4 y3 PO 4-b3 X b3 In Chemical Formula 13, 0.9 ≤ a3 ≤ 1.8, 0.6 ≤ x3 ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y3 ≤ 0.4, and 0 ≤ b3 ≤ 0.1, M 4 is or includes one or more of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr, and X is or includes one or more of F, P, and S.

[0088] Chemical Formula 14: Li a4 Ni x4 Mn y4 M 5 z4 O 2-b4 X b4 In Chemical Formula 14, 0.9 ≤ a4 ≤ 1.8, 0.8 ≤ x4 < 1, 0 < y4 ≤ 0.2, 0 ≤ z4 ≤ 0.2, 0.9 ≤ x4 + y4 + z4 ≤ 1.1 and 0 ≤ b4 ≤ 0.1, M 5X is or includes one or more of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mo, Nb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr, and X is or includes one or more of F, P, and S.

[0089] As an example, the positive electrode active material can be or includes a high-nickel positive electrode active material, based on 100 mol% of metals other than lithium in the lithium transition metal complex oxide, wherein the nickel content of the high-nickel positive electrode active material is greater than or equal to about 80 mol%, greater than or equal to about 85 mol%, greater than or equal to about 90 mol%, greater than or equal to about 91 mol%, or greater than or equal to about 94 mol% and less than or equal to about 99 mol%. High-nickel positive electrode active materials can achieve high capacity and are suitable for high-capacity, high-density rechargeable lithium batteries.

[0090] The positive electrode active material layer may also include a binder, a conductive material, or a combination thereof, together with the positive electrode active material.

[0091] The binder improves the adhesion properties between the positive electrode active material particles and between them and the current collector. Examples of binders may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, polyvinyl chloride, carboxylated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, ethylene oxide-containing polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene-butadiene rubber, (meth)acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber, epoxy resin, (meth)acrylate resin, polyester resin, and nylon.

[0092] The conductive material is included to provide electrode conductivity, and any conductive material may be included as the conductive material unless it causes a chemical change. Examples of conductive materials may include: carbon-based materials, such as at least one of natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotube, etc.; metallic materials including at least one of copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, etc.; conductive polymers, such as polyphenylene derivatives; or mixtures thereof.

[0093] Based on a 100wt% positive electrode active material layer, the content of the positive electrode active material can be in the range of about 90wt% to about 99wt%, and based on the 100wt% positive electrode active material layer, the content of the binder and the conductive material can each be in the range of about 0.5wt% to about 5wt%.

[0094] The active material layer may be or include a negative electrode active material layer containing negative electrode active material.

[0095] The negative electrode active material may include at least one of a material capable of reversibly intercalating / deintercalating lithium ions, lithium metal, a lithium metal alloy, a material capable of doping / de-doping lithium, and a transition metal oxide.

[0096] The material capable of reversibly intercalating / deintercalating lithium ions may include, for example, crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof as a carbon-based negative electrode active material. The crystalline carbon may be natural graphite or artificial graphite that is irregular, or in the form of sheets, flakes, spheres, or fibers. The amorphous carbon may be or include at least one of soft carbon, hard carbon, mesophase pitch carbonized product, calcined coke, etc.

[0097] The lithium metal alloy includes an alloy of lithium and a metal such as or including at least one of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Si, Sb, Pb, In, Zn, Ba, Ra, Ge, Al, and Sn.

[0098] The material capable of doping / de-doping lithium may be or include at least one of a Si-based negative electrode active material and a Sn-based negative electrode active material. The Si-based negative electrode active material may include silicon, a silicon-carbon composite, SiO x (where 0 < x ≤ 2), a Si-Q alloy (where Q is or includes at least one of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a Group 13 element, a Group 14 element (excluding Si), a Group 15 element, a Group 16 element, a transition metal, a rare earth element, and a combination thereof), and a combination thereof. The Sn-based negative electrode active material may be or include at least one of Sn, SnO2, a Sn-based alloy, and a combination thereof.

[0099] The silicon-carbon composite may be or include a composite of silicon and amorphous carbon. According to some example embodiments, the silicon-carbon composite may be in the form of silicon particles and an amorphous carbon coating on the surface of the silicon particles. For example, the silicon-carbon composite may include secondary particles (cores) in which primary silicon particles are assembled and an amorphous carbon coating layer (shells) on the surface of the secondary particles. Amorphous carbon may also be present between the primary silicon particles. For example, the primary silicon particles may be coated with amorphous carbon. The secondary particles may be dispersed in an amorphous carbon matrix.

[0100] The silicon-carbon composite may also include crystalline carbon. For example, the silicon-carbon composite may include a core containing crystalline carbon and silicon particles and an amorphous carbon coating layer on the surface of the core.

[0101] The Si-based negative electrode active material or the Sn-based negative electrode active material may be mixed with the carbon-based negative electrode active material.

[0102] The above negative electrode active material layer may also include at least one of a binder, a conductive material, and a combination thereof together with the negative electrode active material.

[0103] The binder is configured to adhere the negative electrode active material particles to each other and to adhere the negative electrode active material to the current collector. The binder may be or include at least one of non-aqueous binders, aqueous binders, dry binders, and combinations thereof.

[0104] Non-aqueous adhesives may include at least one of polyvinyl chloride, carboxylated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polystyrene, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide-imide, polyimide, and combinations thereof.

[0105] Waterborne adhesives may include at least one of the following: styrene-butadiene rubber, (meth)acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber, (meth)acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, (meth)acrylic rubber, butyl rubber, fluororubber, polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyepoxygenated alcohol, polyphosphazene, poly(meth)acrylonitrile, ethylene propylene diene copolymer, polyvinylpyridine, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, latex, polyester resin, (meth)acrylic resin, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.

[0106] When an aqueous binder is included as the negative electrode binder, a cellulose compound capable of imparting viscosity may also be included. As a cellulose compound, one or more of carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, and their alkali metal salts may be mixed. The alkali metal may be or include at least one of Na, K, and Li.

[0107] The dry binder may be or include a polymeric material capable of being turned into fibers, and may be or include at least one of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyethylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

[0108] The conductive material is included to provide electrode conductivity, and any conductive material may be included as the conductive material unless it causes a chemical change. Examples of conductive materials include: carbon-based materials, such as or including at least one of natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotube, etc.; metallic materials including at least one of metal powder or metal fiber of copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, etc.; conductive polymers, such as polyphenylene derivatives; or mixtures thereof.

[0109] For example, the negative electrode active material layer may include about 90 wt% to about 99 wt% of negative electrode active material, about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt% of binder and about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt% of conductive material.

[0110] Rechargeable lithium batteries: Some example embodiments include a rechargeable lithium battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the positive and negative electrodes is or includes an electrode of some example embodiments.

[0111] Since the contents of the positive and negative electrodes have been described above, the electrolyte, separator, etc. included in the rechargeable lithium battery will be described in detail below.

[0112] electrolytes For example, the electrolyte used in a rechargeable lithium battery can be an electrolyte solution, which may include a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt.

[0113] Non-aqueous organic solvents are constructed as media for transporting ions that participate in the electrochemical reactions of the battery.

[0114] Non-aqueous organic solvents may be or include at least one of carbonate solvents, ester solvents, ether solvents, ketone solvents, alcohol solvents, aprotic solvents, and combinations thereof.

[0115] Carbonate solvents may include at least one of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dipropyl carbonate (DPC), methyl propyl carbonate (MPC), ethyl propyl carbonate (EPC), methyl ethyl carbonate (MEC), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), and butyl carbonate (BC). Ester solvents may include at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, dimethyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, decanolactone, mevalonolactone, valproic acid lactone, and caprolactone. Ether solvents may include at least one of dibutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, dimethoxyethane, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydrofuran. Furthermore, ketone solvents may include cyclohexanone, etc. Alcohol solvents may include at least one of ethanol, isopropanol, etc., and aprotic solvents may include at least one of the following: nitriles, such as R-CN (wherein R is a C2 to C20 straight-chain, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group, and may include double bonds, aromatic rings or ether groups, etc.); amides, such as dimethylformamide; dioxolane, such as 1,3-dioxolane, 1,4-dioxolane, etc.; sulfolane, etc.

[0116] Non-aqueous organic solvents may be included alone or in a mixture of two or more types.

[0117] When carbonate solvents are included, cyclic carbonates and chain carbonates can be mixed, and the cyclic carbonates and chain carbonates can be mixed in a volume ratio ranging from about 1:1 to about 1:9.

[0118] Lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents are configured to supply lithium ions in batteries to enable basic operation of rechargeable lithium batteries and improve lithium ion transport between the positive and negative electrodes. Examples of lithium salts may include LiPF6, LiBF4, LiSbF6, LiAsF6, LiClO4, LiAlO2, LiAlCl4, LiPO2F2, LiCl, LiI, LiN(SO3C2F5)2, Li(FSO2)2N (lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide; LiFSI), LiC4F9SO3, LiN(C x F 2x+1 SO2)(C y F 2y+1 At least one of the following: (SO2) (where x and y are integers from 1 to 20), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate, lithium tetrafluoroethanesulfonate, lithium difluorobis(oxalate)phosphate (LiDFBOP), and lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB).

[0119] diaphragm Depending on the type of rechargeable lithium battery, a separator may be present between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator may include at least one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and multilayer films with two or more layers thereof, such as mixed multilayer films such as polyethylene / polypropylene bilayer separators, polyethylene / polypropylene / polyethylene trilayer separators, polypropylene / polyethylene / polypropylene trilayer separators, etc.

[0120] The diaphragm may include a porous substrate and a coating layer on one or both surfaces of the porous substrate, the coating layer including organic materials, inorganic materials or combinations thereof.

[0121] The porous substrate may be or include a polymer membrane, which is formed of or includes at least one polymer, such as or including at least one of the following: polyolefins (such as polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate), polyacetal, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, polyetherketone, polyaryletherketone, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, polybenzimidazole, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene ether, cyclic olefin copolymers, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene naphthalate, glass fiber, polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., TEFLON). ® (and copolymers or mixtures thereof) and two or more thereof.

[0122] Organic materials may include polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride or (meth)acrylic acid polymers.

[0123] Inorganic materials may include inorganic particles, such as or including at least one of Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, SnO2, CeO2, MgO, NiO, CaO, GaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, SrTiO3, BaTiO3, Mg(OH)2, boehmite and combinations thereof, but are not limited thereto.

[0124] Organic and inorganic materials can be mixed in a coating layer, or a coating layer containing organic materials and a coating layer containing inorganic materials can be stacked together.

[0125] Rechargeable lithium batteries Rechargeable lithium batteries can be classified according to their shape, such as cylindrical, prismatic, pouch-shaped, and coin-shaped. Figures 5 to 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a rechargeable lithium battery according to some example embodiments, wherein, Figure 5 It is a cylindrical battery. Figure 6 It is a prismatic battery. Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is a pouch battery. (See reference) Figures 5 to 8 The rechargeable lithium battery 100 includes an electrode assembly 40 and a housing 50. The electrode assembly 40 has a separator 30 disposed between a positive electrode 10 and a negative electrode 20. The electrode assembly 40 is housed within the housing 50. The positive electrode 10, the negative electrode 20, and the separator 30 can be impregnated with an electrolyte solution (not shown). Figure 5 As shown, the rechargeable lithium battery 100 may include a sealing member 60 of the sealed housing 50. Furthermore, in Figure 6 In this context, the rechargeable lithium battery 100 may include a positive electrode lead connector 11, a positive electrode terminal 12, a negative electrode lead connector 21, and a negative electrode terminal 22. For example... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the rechargeable lithium battery 100 includes Figure 8 The electrode connector 70 shown is or Figure 7 The positive electrode terminal 71 and negative electrode terminal 72 shown herein form an electrical path for guiding the current generated in the electrode assembly 40 to the outside of the rechargeable lithium battery 100.

[0126] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing electrodes for a rechargeable lithium battery according to an example embodiment. Figure 9In the method 900, the steps include: operation 910, which includes forming an active material layer on the surface of an electrode substrate; operation 920, which includes attaching a strip terminal to either a first metal layer or a second metal layer on the electrode substrate to which the active material layer is not formed; and operation 930, which includes melting a first metal or a second metal included in the first metal layer or the second metal layer in the region to which the strip terminal is attached, to substantially fill interconnect holes in an insulating layer.

[0127] The rechargeable lithium battery according to some example embodiments can be used in, for example, automobiles, mobile phones and / or various types of electrical devices, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0128] Examples and comparative examples of this disclosure are described below. However, the following are merely examples of this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0129] Example 1 After melting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a polymer, pouring the PET into a mold, and allowing the PET to solidify, the mold is etched to create an insulating layer with a porous structure (specifically, an interconnected pore structure) having multiple pores. The insulating layer has a thickness of approximately 6 μm.

[0130] On both surfaces of the insulating layer, copper, as a metal, is vaporized and deposited to fabricate an electrode substrate having a structure of a first metal layer-insulating layer-second metal layer. Here, the first metal layer has a thickness of approximately 1 μm, and the second metal layer has a thickness of approximately 1 μm.

[0131] An active material layer comprising graphite as an active material is formed on both surfaces of the electrode substrate, and strip terminals are attached to a first metal layer on the electrode substrate where no active material layer is formed.

[0132] Subsequently, strip terminals are soldered, causing the metal atoms of the first metal layer to receive heat energy and then diffuse into the holes in the area where the strip terminals of the insulating layer are attached, followed by impregnation / immersion. Here, the internal holes in the area where the strip terminals are attached are fully filled with metal atoms, which is the first area, but another area where no strip terminals are attached and the holes are empty is the second area.

[0133] Based on the 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the first region has 0% volume porosity, and based on the 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the second region has 100% volume porosity.

[0134] Compare Example 1-1 The electrode substrate and electrodes are manufactured in essentially the same manner as in Example 1, except that strip terminals are not attached and soldered to the electrode substrate in Example 1.

[0135] Here, the insulating layer with a uniformly distributed interconnect hole structure on the electrode substrate exists only in the portion corresponding to the second region, so that the first metal layer and the second metal layer are not electrically connected.

[0136] Compare Example 1-2 The electrode substrate and electrodes are manufactured in a manner substantially the same as in Example 1, except that instead of only melting the portion of the strip terminals of the electrode substrate of Example 1 that are attached to the electrode substrate, heat is applied to the entire surface of the electrode substrate, causing the metal of the metal layer to melt into the interconnect hole structure of the insulating layer to have a fully impregnated / immersed structure.

[0137] Here, because the metal is completely immersed / permeated into the holes of the interconnect structure in the insulating layer, only the portion corresponding to the first region exists, so the insulating layer of the electrode substrate has no holes. In contrast, the electrodes electrically connected across the entire insulating layer by the first and second metal layers in Examples 1-2 did not achieve battery safety in the penetration evaluation.

[0138] Example 2 The electrode substrate and electrodes are manufactured in essentially the same manner as in Example 1, except that aluminum, as a metal layer, is vaporized and deposited on both surfaces of the insulating layer in Example 1, and an active material layer comprising LiCoO2 as an active material is formed.

[0139] As in Example 1, in the electrode substrate of Example 2, the holes in the insulating layer in the region where the strip terminals are attached (i.e., the first region) are completely filled with metal atoms, but the holes in another region (i.e., the second region) where the strip terminals are not attached are left empty.

[0140] Based on the 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the first region has 0% volume porosity, and based on the 100% volume porosity of the insulating layer, the second region has 100% volume porosity.

[0141] Compare Example 2-1 The electrode substrate and electrodes are manufactured in essentially the same manner as in Example 2, except that the strip terminals are not attached and soldered to the electrode substrate of Example 2.

[0142] Here, the insulating layer of the electrode substrate with a uniformly distributed interconnect hole structure exists only in the region corresponding to the second region, so that the first metal layer and the second metal layer are not electrically connected.

[0143] Compare Example 2-2 The electrode substrate and electrodes are manufactured in essentially the same manner as in Example 2, except that instead of only melting the portion of the electrode substrate with attached strip terminals as in Example 2, heat is applied to the entire surface of the electrode substrate, causing the metal layer to melt and completely impregnate / immerse into the interconnect structure of the insulating layer.

[0144] Here, because the metal is completely immersed / permeated into the holes of the interconnect structure in the insulating layer, only the region corresponding to the first area exists, so the insulating layer of the electrode substrate has no holes. In contrast, the electrodes electrically connected to the first and second metal layers across the entire surface of the insulating layer in Comparative Example 2-2 did not achieve battery safety in the penetration evaluation.

[0145] While this disclosure has been described in conjunction with what is now considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Rather, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0146] Symbol explanation: 1: Metal layer 2: Insulating layer of known composite substrates 3: Active material layer; 4: Ordinary substrate connector 5: Strip terminal; 6: Insulation layer 7: Hole; 8: Second area 9: First region; A: A surface B: Another surface; 100: Rechargeable lithium battery 10: Positive electrode; 11: Positive electrode lead connector 12: Positive electrode terminal; 20: Negative electrode 21: Negative electrode lead connector; 22: Negative electrode terminal 30: Diaphragm; 40: Electrode assembly 50: Housing; 60: Sealing component 70: Electrode connector; 71: Positive electrode connector 72: Negative electrode connector.

Claims

1. An electrode substrate for a rechargeable lithium battery, the electrode substrate comprising: A first metal layer, comprising a first metal; An insulating layer is on the first metal layer and comprises a polymer; as well as A second metal layer, on the insulating layer and comprising a second metal. The insulating layer has an interconnect hole structure and is divided into a first region and a second region, and the first region further includes a third metal filling the interconnect hole structure within the insulating layer.

2. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The insulating layer has an opening structure in which each hole is uniformly distributed from one surface of the insulating layer to the other surface of the insulating layer.

3. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The size of the pores in the insulating layer is in the range of 50 nm to 200 nm.

4. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The polymer includes thermoplastic resins or thermosetting resins.

5. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, Based on 100 wt% of the insulating layer, the polymer content is greater than or equal to 90 wt%.

6. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the insulating layer is in the range of 4 μm to 15 μm.

7. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The third metal is different from the first metal or the second metal; Alternatively, the third metal may be the same as the first metal or the second metal.

8. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, Based on the porosity of the insulating layer at 100% by volume, the porosity of the first region in the insulating layer is less than 10% by volume.

9. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The porosity of the second region in the insulating layer is greater than 90% by volume, relative to 100% by volume porosity of the insulating layer.

10. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The ratio of the porosity of the second region in the insulating layer to the porosity of the insulating layer is in the range of 0.9 to 1.

11. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The first metal and the second metal each independently comprise a metal containing at least one of aluminum, nickel, copper and iron.

12. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The sum of the thickness of the first metal layer and the thickness of the second metal layer is less than or equal to 40% of the total thickness of the electrode substrate.

13. The electrode substrate according to claim 1, wherein, The third metal is the same as the first metal or the second metal.

14. An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, said electrode include: The electrode substrate according to claim 1; A strip-shaped terminal on the first region of the electrode substrate; and An active material layer is located on the second region of the electrode substrate.

15. The electrode according to claim 14, wherein, The active material layer includes one of a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material.

16. A method for manufacturing an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 14, the method comprising the steps of: The active material layer is formed on one surface of the electrode substrate; The strip terminal is attached to either the first metal layer or the second metal layer on the electrode substrate where the active material layer is not formed; as well as In the area to which the strip terminal is attached, the first metal or the second metal included in the first metal layer or the second metal layer is melted to fill the interconnect holes in the insulating layer.

17. A rechargeable lithium battery, said rechargeable lithium battery comprising: Positive electrode; negative electrode; as well as Electrolytes, Wherein, at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes the electrode according to claim 14.

18. The rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 17, wherein, The rechargeable lithium battery also includes a separator impregnated with the electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

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