3D Free-Standing Anode with Ion-Conducting Shell for Dendrite Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-dimensional (3D) anode structures for lithium-based and sodium-based batteries suffer from issues such as volumetric changes, dendrite formation, and parasitic side reactions, leading to capacity loss, reduced power output, and safety hazards like cell rupture.
Innovation Solution
A 3D monolithic anode structure with a continuous ion-conducting network is developed, where the anode active material itself serves as a substrate, and ion-conducting materials are homogeneously distributed to enhance ion diffusion and stability, minimizing dendrite formation and parasitic reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional 3D anode structures with porous substrates are used, then ion diffusion pathways are limited and metal is plated on the surface rather than penetrating into pores, but the structure provides high surface area for electrochemical reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous three-dimensional monolithic structure where the anode active material itself forms the substrate with inherent porosity. This allows ions to penetrate throughout the bulk volume rather than being confined to surface plating, while maintaining high surface area for electrochemical reactions. The porous architecture enables both high reactivity and deep ion penetration simultaneously.
2Reliability
If ion-conducting particles are suspended within a binder matrix, then ion conduction is improved, but the structure transforms into a bi-layer structure with reactive material on one side and inert network on the other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anode active material and ion-conducting materials into a single homogeneous three-dimensional monolithic structure. Rather than creating separate layers or suspending particles in a binder, the ion-conducting materials are distributed throughout the bulk of the active material matrix, creating a unified structure where both functions coexist uniformly throughout the entire volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite three-dimensional monolithic structure where anode active material and ion-conducting materials are combined at the microstructural level. This composite architecture enables simultaneous electrochemical reactivity and ion conduction throughout the bulk, eliminating the bi-layer structure problem while maintaining structural integrity.
3Quantity of substance
If lithium-based materials are used for high theoretical capacity, then energy density is improved, but volumetric changes during cycling cause capacity loss and dendrite formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of lithium-based materials by forming them into a three-dimensional monolithic architecture with distributed ion-conducting pathways. This structural transformation allows the high-capacity lithium material to accommodate volumetric changes during cycling through its three-dimensional network, preventing dendrite formation and capacity loss while maintaining high theoretical capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The 3D anode structure achieves improved cycling performance, high-rate capability, and extended cycle life with reduced volumetric changes and dendrite formation, enhancing the operational lifetime and safety of lithium-based and sodium-based batteries.
Implementation Method 1
ion-conducting materials are homogeneously distributed to enhance ion diffusion
Data Source
AI summary
Current collectors are critical components of conventional electrochemical cell design, and serve to conduct electricity generated within the electrochemical cell to an external environment of the electrochemical cell, typically to a machine or device electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell, e.g. via a plurality of leads, tabs, contacts, terminals, etc. Accordingly, current collectors conventionally comprise one or more highly electrically conductive (and, optionally, thermally conductive) materials, most often metal(s) or alloy(s) of iron, nickel, copper, etc. As a result, current collectors often represent a substantial contribution to the total mass of the electrochemical cell, and undesirably reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the resulting battery. The presently disclosed inventive concepts include various configurations of free-standing electrodes that do not require a distinct current collector component to efficiently conduct electricity to external devices, and include unique compositions and structural arrangements that collectively convey substantial performance improvements on electrochemical cells implementing the same.