Full-printing 3D (three-dimensional) miniature solid-state aluminum air battery

Abstract

The utility model discloses a full-printing 3D (three-dimensional) miniature solid-state aluminum air battery and a manufacturing method thereof. The solid aluminum air battery comprises a battery outer frame, an air cathode, a quasi-solid hydrogel electrolyte and an aluminum anode, the air cathode and the aluminum anode are both of a comb tooth structure, the tooth space L is larger than the comb width D, and comb teeth of the air cathode and comb teeth of the aluminum anode are arranged in the battery outer frame in a staggered and non-intersecting mode. And the quasi-solid hydrogel electrolyte is filled in gaps between the air cathode and the aluminum anode, between the air cathode and the outer frame of the battery and between the aluminum anode and the outer frame of the battery. The power supply is compact and small in structure, the size of the power supply is millimeter-level, the weight of the power supply is gram-level, and the power supply can form an array in a series connection, parallel connection or series-parallel connection mode to provide electric energy for electric appliances with different requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of batteries, and more specifically, to a fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of portable and wearable electronic devices, high-energy-density energy storage devices have garnered widespread attention. Aluminum-air batteries, thanks to their high theoretical energy density and mature anode metallurgy, are considered a potential contender for next-generation energy storage batteries. However, traditional aluminum-air batteries employ a sandwich structure and utilize pumps to circulate liquid electrolytes, resulting in high system complexity and significant challenges in miniaturization. Innovative structural design concepts and manufacturing methods could address these challenges and achieve miniaturization.

[0003] Currently, research both domestically and internationally is focused on developing quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolytes to replace traditional liquid electrolytes, along with compatible aluminum anodes and air cathodes. The hydrogel electrolyte's fixed form, which eliminates the need for containment, makes solid-state aluminum-air batteries possible. However, current efforts to improve aluminum-air battery performance are primarily focused on innovations in cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials. Therefore, modifying the aluminum-air battery's structure and adopting novel manufacturing methods are also effective measures to improve performance and achieve miniaturization. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery and a manufacturing method thereof, so as to overcome the defects of the prior art.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows:

[0006] A fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery includes a battery outer frame, an air cathode, a quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolyte and an aluminum anode. The air cathode and the aluminum anode both have comb tooth structures and the tooth gap L is greater than the comb width D. The comb teeth of the air cathode and the comb teeth of the aluminum anode are staggered and non-intersecting and are arranged in the battery outer frame. The quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolyte is filled in the gaps between the air cathode and the aluminum anode, between the air cathode and the battery outer frame, and between the aluminum anode and the battery outer frame.

[0007] Furthermore, the air cathode and the aluminum anode are stacked layer by layer using 3D printing technology.

[0008] Furthermore, the upper surface of the quasi-solid hydrogel electrolyte is lower than the upper surfaces of the air cathode and the aluminum anode.

[0009] The utility model also provides a method for manufacturing the fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery, comprising the following steps:

[0010] S1. Design the electrode structure to be a comb structure with a tooth gap L greater than the comb width D, and the electrode cathode and anode are mirror images of each other;

[0011] S2, adding MnO2, aluminum powder, and electrolyte powder to corresponding binders or aqueous solutions to prepare quasi-solid air cathode ink, aluminum anode ink, and electrolyte ink;

[0012] S3, respectively loading the air cathode ink, aluminum anode ink, silicone rubber ink and electrolyte ink into syringes;

[0013] S4. Using an extrusion-type 3D printer to drive a syringe, the air cathode and the aluminum anode are printed on the PET film, respectively, to form a structure in which the comb teeth of the aluminum anode and the comb teeth of the air cathode are interlaced and do not intersect with each other, and the prepared electrodes are placed in a vacuum dryer for drying;

[0014] S5. Place the dried electrode back into the extrusion 3D printer, and use the extrusion 3D printer to build a battery outer frame of silicone rubber on the outside of the electrode. After the battery outer frame is built, let it solidify at room temperature to form a stable structure;

[0015] S6. Fill the gaps between the comb teeth and between the electrodes and the battery outer frame with hydrogel electrolyte, and set the upper surface of the hydrogel electrolyte lower than the upper surfaces of the air cathode and the aluminum anode. Then, place the battery filled with electrolyte in an environment of -35°C to gel.

[0016] S7. After solidification is completed, a solid-state aluminum-air battery is obtained.

[0017] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a solid-state aluminum-air battery array, comprising the following steps:

[0018] fabricating a plurality of individual aluminum-air batteries at specific locations on a substrate;

[0019] Use conductive silver paste on the substrate to connect the positive and negative tabs of different aluminum-air battery cells;

[0020] The solid-state aluminum-air battery array was prepared by drying in open air at room temperature.

[0021] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are: 1. The present invention uses a hydrogel quasi-solid electrolyte and does not require the support of a peristaltic pump, an electrolyte storage device, or a delivery pipeline; 2. The battery anode, cathode, and electrolyte of the present invention are all manufactured using 3D printing technology (extrusion 3D), which can achieve customization, refinement, and rapid production of shapes; 3. The battery cathode and anode of the present invention are both comb-tooth structures, and the gaps in the middle are filled with hydrogel electrolytes. The upper surface of the air cathode is exposed to the air to ensure that oxygen has sufficient diffusion windows; 4. The battery of the present invention has a spatial three-dimensional geometric structure, and its thickness is changed by changing the number of layers of extruded microfilaments. The manufacturing accuracy directly depends on the performance of the 3D printer used; 5. All components of the battery of the present invention are constructed using 3D printing technology, and its structure is compact and small, with a size of millimeters and a weight of grams; 6. The battery of the present invention can form an array in series, parallel, or mixed mode to provide electrical energy for electrical appliances with different needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a geometric parameter diagram of the fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery of the utility model.

[0025] In the figure: battery outer frame 1, air cathode 2, quasi-solid hydrogel electrolyte 3, aluminum anode 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art, thereby making a clearer and more precise definition of the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] See Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment discloses a fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery, including a battery outer frame 1, an air cathode 2, a quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolyte 3 and an aluminum anode 4, wherein the air cathode 2 and the aluminum anode 4 are both comb-tooth structures and the tooth gap L is greater than the comb width D (satisfying the following formulas 1-3), the comb teeth of the air cathode 2 and the comb teeth of the aluminum anode 4 are staggered and non-intersecting (mirror images of each other) in the battery outer frame 1, and the quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolyte 3 is filled in the gaps between the air cathode 2 and the aluminum anode 4, between the air cathode 2 and the battery outer frame 1, and between the aluminum anode 4 and the battery outer frame 1.

[0029] L1=L2=…=L n (1)

[0030] D1=D2=…=D n+1 (2)

[0031] L i >D j ,i=1,2,…n,j=1,2,…n+1 (3)

[0032] In this embodiment, the air cathode 2 and the aluminum anode 4 are stacked layer by layer using 3D printing technology.

[0033] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the quasi-solid hydrogel electrolyte 3 is lower than the upper surfaces of the air cathode 2 and the aluminum anode 4, ensuring that the electrolyte air diffuses smoothly to the air cathode.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] This embodiment provides a method for manufacturing the fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery described in Example 1, comprising the following steps:

[0036] Step S1: Design the electrode structure to be a comb structure in which the tooth gap L is larger than the comb width D, and the electrode cathode and anode are mirror images of each other.

[0037] Step S2: MnO2, aluminum powder, and electrolyte powder are added to corresponding adhesives or aqueous solutions to prepare quasi-solid air cathode ink, aluminum anode ink, and electrolyte ink.

[0038] Step S3: Fill the air cathode ink, aluminum anode ink, silicone rubber ink and electrolyte ink into syringes respectively.

[0039] Step S4: Create G-code based on the designed structure and download it to an extrusion-based 3D printer. The extrusion-based 3D printer then drives a syringe to print the air cathode and aluminum anode onto a PET film, creating a structure where the comb teeth of the aluminum anode and the comb teeth of the air cathode intersect but do not intersect. The prepared electrodes are then dried in a vacuum dryer.

[0040] Step S5: Place the dried electrode back into the extrusion 3D printer, and use the extrusion 3D printer to construct a battery outer frame 1 made of silicone rubber on the outside of the electrode. After the battery outer frame 1 is constructed, allow it to solidify at room temperature to form a stable structure.

[0041] Step S6: Fill the gaps between the comb teeth and between the electrodes and the battery outer frame with hydrogel electrolyte, and set the upper surface of the hydrogel electrolyte lower than the upper surfaces of the air cathode 2 and the aluminum anode 4. Then, place the battery filled with electrolyte in an environment of -35°C to gel.

[0042] Step S7: After solidification is completed, a solid aluminum-air battery is obtained, as shown in the attached Figure 2 shown.

[0043] This embodiment is different from the traditional aluminum-air battery electrodes and electrolytes that adopt a planar structure. The designed battery electrodes and electrolytes are stacked layer by layer using 3D printing technology to form a spatial three-dimensional structure that is convenient for air diffusion.

[0044] The battery electrode structure proposed in this embodiment is a comb-tooth structure: the cathode and anode comb teeth are staggered and do not touch each other, and are mirror images of each other. The spaces between the comb teeth and the electrodes and the silicone rubber frame are filled with hydrogel electrolyte.

[0045] The air cathode and aluminum electrode, gel electrolyte, and packaging frame dimensions of this embodiment can all be customized according to specific application requirements.

[0046] This embodiment is easy to miniaturize: high-precision 3D printing equipment can be used to control the number of stacked layers of microwires to manufacture micro batteries with a three-dimensional spatial geometric structure with a size of millimeters and a mass of grams.

[0047] Example 3

[0048] This embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a solid-state aluminum-air battery array, comprising the following steps:

[0049] fabricating a plurality of individual aluminum-air batteries according to embodiment 2 at specific locations on the substrate;

[0050] Use conductive silver paste on the substrate to connect the positive and negative tabs of different aluminum-air battery cells;

[0051] The solid-state aluminum-air battery array was prepared by drying in open air at room temperature.

[0052] This embodiment has excellent scalability: according to the power consumption requirements of the electrical equipment, a battery array can be quickly constructed by connecting several battery cells in series, parallel or mixed connection using conductive silver paste.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the patent owner may make various variations or modifications within the scope of the appended claims. As long as they do not exceed the scope of protection described by the claims of the present invention, they should be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fully printed 3D micro solid-state aluminum-air battery, characterized in that: The battery comprises an outer frame, an air cathode, a quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolyte and an aluminum anode. The air cathode and the aluminum anode both have a comb-tooth structure and the tooth gap L is greater than the comb width D. The comb teeth of the air cathode and the comb teeth of the aluminum anode are staggered and non-intersectingly arranged in the outer frame of the battery. The quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolyte is filled in the gaps between the air cathode and the aluminum anode, between the air cathode and the outer frame of the battery, and between the aluminum anode and the outer frame of the battery.

2. The fully printed 3D solid-state micro aluminum-air battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air cathode and the aluminum anode are stacked layer by layer using 3D printing technology.

3. The fully printed 3D solid-state aluminum-air micro battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the quasi-solid hydrogel electrolyte is lower than the upper surfaces of the air cathode and the aluminum anode.

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