3D Composite Lithium Anode Structure for Uniform Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium ion batteries face challenges with uneven lithium deposition leading to dendrite formation, chemical reactivity with electrolytes, and volume changes, limiting energy density and safety.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional composite metallic lithium negative electrode comprising metallic lithium particles embedded in a lithium-philic three-dimensional polymer framework with active sites and conductive materials, which guides uniform lithium deposition and inhibits side reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If metallic lithium is used as negative electrode material to increase energy density, then battery energy density is improved, but lithium dendrites form causing safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
A three-dimensional polymer framework acts as an intermediary structure between the electrolyte and metallic lithium particles. This framework includes lithium-philic fragments that guide uniform lithium ion deposition, preventing dendrite formation while maintaining high energy density benefits of metallic lithium
Solution Approach 2:
The negative electrode uses a composite structure combining metallic lithium particles with a three-dimensional polymer framework containing lithium-philic fragments. This composite design enables both high energy density and safety by controlling lithium deposition morphology
2Speed
If current density is increased to improve charging speed, then charging rate is improved, but lithium deposition becomes uneven leading to dendrite formation
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional polymer framework with lithium-philic fragments serves as a mediator that distributes current density uniformly across the electrode. This intermediary structure guides lithium ion flow even at high charging rates, ensuring uniform deposition and preventing dendrites
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer framework provides locally optimized deposition sites with lithium-philic fragments distributed throughout the three-dimensional structure. These local active sites ensure uniform lithium ion acceptance across the entire electrode, maintaining deposition quality at high current densities
3Manufacturing precision
If three-dimensional current collector is used to increase surface area and reduce current density, then lithium deposition uniformity is improved, but electrolyte consumption increases due to lack of protection
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional polymer framework acts as a protective intermediary layer between the metallic lithium particles and the electrolyte. This framework reduces direct contact between reactive lithium and electrolyte, decreasing electrolyte consumption while maintaining the surface area benefits for uniform deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer framework creates a protective environment around metallic lithium particles, reducing chemical reactivity with the electrolyte. This inert-like protection layer minimizes electrolyte consumption while preserving the electrochemical functionality
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 solution enhances lithium deposition uniformity, reduces overpotential, inhibits dendrite growth, and suppresses electrolyte consumption, improving energy density and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the three-dimensional polymer framework includes lithium-philic fragments, active sites, and polymer-containing moieties
Implementation Method 2
During a deposition-dissolution process of metallic lithium
Implementation Method 3
The metallic lithium is chemically active and easily reacts with an electrolyte, thereby consuming the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional composite metallic lithium negative electrode, a metallic lithium battery, and an apparatus are disclosed. The composite metallic lithium negative electrode includes metallic lithium particles and a three-dimensional polymer framework, where the metallic lithium particles are filled in the three-dimensional polymer framework, and the three-dimensional polymer framework includes lithium-philic fragments, active sites, and polymer-containing moieties. The present application improves a volume effect of the metallic lithium negative electrode in charge and discharge process, which can inhibit side reactions of metallic lithium and electrolyte; increase a specific surface area of the metallic lithium negative electrode, and introduce lithium-philic nano-sites, thereby can guide a uniform deposition of the metallic lithium and effectively inhibit generation of lithium dendrites. In addition, the three-dimensional framework coated with active lithium can effectively reduce risks of brittle SEI film faced by traditional solutions.