A nickel plating device

Abstract

A nickel plating apparatus for nickel plating lithium-ion battery copper foil includes a housing, a titanium basket assembly, a liquid roller, and a power supply mechanism. The top of the housing is recessed to form an anti-oxidation tank. The titanium basket assembly and the liquid roller are arranged from top to bottom within the anti-oxidation tank, with the opposite ends of the liquid roller rotatably connected to the opposite inner sidewalls of the housing. The titanium basket assembly is used to hold nickel blocks and includes a first titanium basket, a second titanium basket, and a third titanium basket. A first gap is formed between the first and second titanium baskets, and a second gap is formed between the second and third titanium baskets. The lithium-ion battery copper foil is fitted onto the liquid roller and passes through the first and second gaps. The power supply mechanism is detachably connected to the titanium basket assembly. This nickel plating apparatus solves the problems of cumbersome processes in existing technologies, the easy generation of anode mud that contaminates the electrolyte, affecting the performance of the electrolyte and the quality of the lithium-ion battery copper foil, and the fluctuations in electrode spacing caused by anode plate dissolution, which affect the thickness and uniformity of the nickel plating on the lithium-ion battery copper foil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of copper foil production technology, and in particular to a nickel plating apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional copper foil is prone to corrosion and lacks stability. To address these issues, nickel plating is typically performed during the copper foil production process. Nickel plating enhances its corrosion resistance, solderability, and electrical conductivity. Nowadays, the performance requirements for lithium batteries in fields such as new energy vehicles are increasing. Nickel-plated lithium battery copper foil, as a key material, can improve battery energy density and cycle life, reduce the risk of electrolyte corrosion, and has higher material performance requirements. Consequently, the requirements for nickel plating technology are also more stringent.

[0003] In existing technologies, nickel sulfate is generally the main source of nickel ions in the electrolyte. Typically, nickel-containing materials are first mixed into the electrolyte, and then an anode plate is placed in the prepared electrolyte for electrolysis. This process is not only cumbersome, but also prone to generating anode sludge that contaminates the electrolyte, affecting the performance of the electrolyte and the quality of the lithium-ion battery copper foil. At the same time, the dissolution of traditional anode plates can also cause fluctuations in the electrode spacing, affecting the thickness and uniformity of nickel plating on the lithium-ion battery copper foil. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a nickel plating device that solves the problems of the existing technology, which requires the preparation of a nickel-containing electrolyte and the subsequent placement of an anode plate into the prepared electrolyte for electrolysis. This process is cumbersome, and the anode sludge generated during the process can easily contaminate the electrolyte, affecting the performance of the electrolyte and the quality of the lithium-ion battery copper foil. At the same time, the dissolution of the anode plate can also cause fluctuations in the electrode spacing, affecting the thickness and uniformity of the nickel plating on the lithium-ion battery copper foil.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0006] A nickel plating apparatus for nickel plating of lithium-ion battery copper foil includes a housing, a titanium basket assembly, a submersible roller, and a power supply mechanism. The top of the housing is recessed to form an anti-oxidation tank. The titanium basket assembly and the submersible roller are arranged from top to bottom within the anti-oxidation tank, with opposite ends of the submersible roller rotatably connected to opposite inner sidewalls of the housing. The titanium basket assembly is used to hold nickel blocks and includes a first titanium basket, a second titanium basket, and a third titanium basket. The axes of the first, second, and third titanium baskets are aligned. A first gap is formed between the first and second titanium baskets, and a second gap is formed between the second and third titanium baskets. The lithium-ion battery copper foil is sleeved on the submersible roller, with opposite ends of the lithium-ion battery copper foil passing through the first gap and the second gap, respectively. The power supply mechanism is detachably connected to the titanium basket assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, the power supply mechanism includes a mounting plate, a connecting plate, and a conductive copper busbar. The mounting plate is provided on both opposite outer side walls of the housing. The opposite ends of the titanium basket assembly are detachably connected to the mounting plate through the connecting plate. The conductive copper busbar is detachably connected to the side of the mounting plate facing away from the connecting plate. The conductive copper busbar is electrically connected to the connecting plate and the titanium basket assembly.

[0008] Furthermore, the conductive copper busbar has a conductive current greater than 6000A.

[0009] Furthermore, the submerged roller is positioned below the second titanium basket and is vertically aligned with the second titanium basket.

[0010] Furthermore, the widths of the first gap and the second gap are 80 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, the first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket are all made of titanium alloy, and the surfaces of the first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket are all coated with an iridium-tantalum composite coating.

[0012] Furthermore, breathable meshes are provided on both sides of the first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting plate is provided with a connecting plate through hole, and the mounting plate is provided with a mounting plate through hole, and the connecting plate through hole matches the mounting plate through hole.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: By replacing the traditional anode plate with a titanium basket, when nickel plating is required, there is no need to prepare a nickel-containing electrolyte. Simply dropping the nickel block into the titanium basket provides nickel ions for the nickel plating process, simplifying the process. At the same time, due to the material of the titanium basket, less anode mud is generated during the electrolysis process, reducing electrolyte pollution and improving the quality of lithium-ion copper foil. In addition, the titanium basket assembly reduces the electrode gap fluctuation caused by the dissolution of the anode plate. The rotation of the submerged roller ensures that both sides of the lithium-ion copper foil can be stably nickel-plated when passing through the gap between the titanium basket assemblies, minimizing the impact on the thickness and uniformity of the nickel plating of the lithium-ion copper foil. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0016] Fig. 1 This is a schematic diagram of the nickel plating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Fig. 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket in the nickel plating apparatus of this utility model embodiment;

[0018] Fig. 3 This is a top view of the titanium basket and lithium battery copper foil of the nickel plating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0020] 1. Housing; 11. Anti-oxidation tank; 2. Titanium basket assembly; 3. Submersible roller; 4. Power supply mechanism; 41. Mounting plate; 42. Connecting plate; 43. Conductive copper busbar; 21. First titanium basket; 22. Second titanium basket; 23. Third titanium basket; 24. Breathable mesh; 25. First gap; 26. Second gap; 411. Mounting plate through hole; 421. Connecting plate through hole; 5. Lithium battery copper foil.

[0021] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this utility model are shown in the drawings. However, this utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of this utility model more thorough and complete.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] In this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0025] Please see Figs. 1 to 3A nickel plating apparatus for plating nickel onto lithium-ion battery copper foil 5 includes a housing 1, a titanium basket assembly 2, a liquid roller 3, and a power supply mechanism 4. The top of the housing 1 is recessed to form an anti-oxidation groove 11. The titanium basket assembly 2 and the liquid roller 3 are arranged from top to bottom within the anti-oxidation groove 11, with the opposite ends of the liquid roller 3 rotatably connected to the opposite inner sidewalls of the housing 1. The titanium basket assembly 2 is used to hold nickel blocks and includes a first titanium basket 21, a second titanium basket 22, and a third titanium basket 23. The axes of the first titanium basket 21, the second titanium basket 22, and the third titanium basket 23 are aligned. A first gap 25 is formed between the first titanium basket 21 and the second titanium basket 22, and a second gap 26 is formed between the second titanium basket 22 and the third titanium basket 23. The lithium-ion battery copper foil 5 is sleeved on the liquid roller 3, with the opposite ends of the lithium-ion battery copper foil passing through the first gap 25 and the second gap 26, respectively. The power supply mechanism 4 is detachably connected to the titanium basket assembly 2.

[0026] The power supply mechanism 4 includes a mounting plate 41, a connecting plate 42, and a conductive copper busbar 43. The mounting plate 41 is provided on both opposite outer side walls of the housing 1. The opposite ends of the titanium basket assembly 2 are detachably connected to the mounting plate 41 through the connecting plate 42. The conductive copper busbar 43 is detachably connected to the side of the mounting plate 41 facing away from the connecting plate 42. The conductive copper busbar 43 is electrically connected to the connecting plate 42 and the titanium basket assembly 2.

[0027] The conductive copper busbar 43 has a conductivity current greater than 6000A. Transmission through the conductive copper busbar 43 can transmit a large current with extremely low resistance, further reducing energy loss during transmission, and thus meeting the high current required for nickel plating of lithium battery copper foil.

[0028] The size of the first gap 25 and the second gap 26 is 80mm.

[0029] The first titanium basket 21, the second titanium basket 22, and the third titanium basket 23 are all made of titanium alloy, with a pure titanium base and a surface coating. The pure titanium base is titanium with a purity of 99.9%. The surfaces of the first titanium basket 21, the second titanium basket 22, and the third titanium basket 23 are all provided with an iridium-tantalum composite coating. The iridium-tantalum composite coating has good corrosion resistance and a low oxygen evolution overpotential, which can reduce energy consumption and adapt to the acidic environment of the electrolyte.

[0030] The first titanium basket 21, the second titanium basket 22, and the third titanium basket 23 are all provided with breathable mesh 24 on opposite sides to make the nickel plating of the lithium battery copper foil 5 more uniform.

[0031] The anti-oxidation tank 11 is used to hold the electrolyte, which includes conductive salt, buffer, brightener, wetting agent, and stress reliever. The conductive salt is generally nickel chloride with a concentration of 20–60 g / L, which provides chloride ions, increases the conductivity of the solution, and activates the anode. The buffer is generally boric acid with a concentration of 30–50 g / L, which maintains a weakly acidic environment at pH 3.5–5.0 to prevent a sudden increase in pH in the cathode area from causing plating pitting or brittleness. The brightener is generally sulfonylimide, which refines the grains and gives the coating a smooth gloss. The wetting agent is generally sodium dodecyl sulfate with a concentration of 0.05–0.2 g / L, which reduces the surface tension of the solution and reduces pinholes in the coating caused by hydrogen bubble adhesion. The stress reliever is generally naphthalene sulfonate or coumarin, which neutralizes the internal stress of the coating and improves ductility and adhesion.

[0032] The width of the lithium-ion battery copper foil 5 is smaller than the width of the titanium basket assembly 2, ensuring that the edges of the lithium-ion battery copper foil 5 can also be uniformly nickel-plated.

[0033] The connecting plate 42 is provided with a connecting plate through hole 421, and the mounting plate 41 is provided with a mounting plate through hole 411. The connecting plate through hole 421 matches the mounting plate through hole 411.

[0034] Specifically, when nickel plating is required, the nickel plating device is placed directly on the lithium battery copper foil 5 production line. Since nickel ions are obtained by directly feeding nickel blocks into the titanium basket, there is no need to separately prepare nickel-containing electrolyte in the early preparation work. Only other solvents need to be prepared. The advantage of this is that when it is detected that the nickel ions are insufficient, nickel blocks can be quickly added to the titanium basket to replenish them, further simplifying the process and making it more efficient.

[0035] Secondly, when the nickel plating process begins, the lithium-ion copper foil 5 is rotated by the submerged roller 3, causing it to pass through the first gap 25 and the second gap 26 in the first titanium basket 21, the second titanium basket 22, and the third titanium basket 23. One end of the lithium-ion copper foil 5 passing through the first gap 25 is connected to the supply roller on the lithium-ion copper foil 5 production line, and the other end of the lithium-ion copper foil 5 passing through the second gap 26 is connected to the recycling roller. At the same time, the operating speed of the submerged roller 3 can be controlled by a pre-set program to control the production efficiency. When the lithium-ion copper foil 5 passes through, because the titanium basket is made of titanium alloy with an iridium-tantalum composite coating, it has strong stability during operation. The titanium basket replaces the traditional anode plate, which further improves the solubility of nickel metal, makes the dissolution more uniform, and produces less anode sludge, reducing the pollution of the electrolyte, keeping the electrolyte pure, and thus improving the quality of nickel plating on the lithium-ion copper foil 5.

[0036] Finally, since the oxygen evolution potential of the titanium basket assembly 2 is lower than that of the traditional anode plate, the voltage in the anti-oxidation tank 11 can be reduced, saving 10% to 20% of power consumption. At the same time, since the material of the titanium basket can allow for higher current density, the current of more than 6000A is transmitted through the set conductive copper busbar 43, which further reduces resistance and increases current, reduces power loss during transmission, and significantly improves the speed and efficiency of nickel plating. Even better, due to the stability of the titanium basket material, its geometry hardly changes during electrolysis, which can precisely control the distance between the titanium basket and the lithium battery copper foil 5, ensuring the thickness and uniformity of nickel plating on the lithium battery copper foil 5.

[0037] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0038] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nickel plating apparatus for plating nickel onto copper foil for lithium batteries, characterized in that... The device includes a housing, a titanium basket assembly, a submersible roller, and a power supply mechanism. The top of the housing is recessed to form an anti-oxidation groove. The titanium basket assembly and the submersible roller are arranged from top to bottom in the anti-oxidation groove, and the two opposite ends of the submersible roller are rotatably connected to the two opposite inner sidewalls of the housing. The titanium basket assembly is used to place nickel blocks. The titanium basket assembly includes a first titanium basket, a second titanium basket, and a third titanium basket. The first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket are aligned on their axes. A first gap is formed between the first titanium basket and the second titanium basket, and a second gap is formed between the second titanium basket and the third titanium basket. The lithium-ion battery copper foil is sleeved on the submersible roller, and the opposite ends of the lithium-ion battery copper foil pass through the first gap and the second gap, respectively. The power supply mechanism is detachably connected to the titanium basket assembly.

2. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The power supply mechanism includes a mounting plate, a connecting plate, and a conductive copper busbar. The mounting plate is provided on both opposite outer side walls of the housing. The opposite ends of the titanium basket assembly are detachably connected to the mounting plate through the connecting plate. The conductive copper busbar is detachably connected to the side of the mounting plate facing away from the connecting plate. The conductive copper busbar is electrically connected to the connecting plate and the titanium basket assembly.

3. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that... The conductive copper busbar has a conductivity current greater than 6000A.

4. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The submersible roller is positioned below the second titanium basket and is vertically aligned with the second titanium basket.

5. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The widths of the first gap and the second gap are 80 mm.

6. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket are all made of titanium alloy, and the surfaces of the first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket are all coated with an iridium-tantalum composite coating.

7. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first titanium basket, the second titanium basket, and the third titanium basket are all provided with breathable mesh on opposite sides.

8. The nickel plating apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that... The connecting plate is provided with a connecting plate through hole, and the mounting plate is provided with a mounting plate through hole, wherein the connecting plate through hole and the mounting plate through hole are matched.

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