Aluminum Electrode Sheet Oxide Removal in Ionic Liquid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aluminum electrode sheets treated with acidic solutions often leave residual moisture and form oxide layers easily, making it difficult to effectively remove the oxide layer without negative impacts on subsequent applications.

Innovation Solution

A removal method involving soaking the aluminum electrode sheet in an ionic liquid, such as one containing aluminum halide and imidazolium chloride, in a nitrogen atmosphere with low water/oxygen content, which corrodes the oxide layer and exposes the aluminum metal, and can include heating, stirring, or oscillation steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If aluminum electrode sheet is surface-treated with acidic solutions, then oxide layer can be removed, but residual moisture remains and oxide layer forms again easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxide layer removal effectivenessVSAvoidsubsequent application performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the oxide layer removal process in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) to prevent re-oxidation of the aluminum electrode sheet surface. This resolves the contradiction by providing an environment that maintains removal effectiveness while preventing the harmful re-formation of oxide layers that would compromise subsequent application performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment environment by using ionic liquids with specific compositions (containing aluminum salts and halogen-containing compounds) instead of traditional acidic solutions. This parameter change enables effective oxide removal while controlling moisture content below 100 ppm, thereby preventing residual moisture issues and re-oxidation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If aluminum electrode sheet is placed in atmospheric environment, then surface treatment can be performed, but oxide layer forms easily on the treated surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface treatment accessibilityVSAvoidaluminum surface oxidation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the atmospheric environment with an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) having water and oxygen content below 100 ppm. This maintains ease of manufacture by providing a controlled but accessible treatment environment while dramatically improving oxidation resistance stability of the aluminum surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional acidic solution treatment is used, then oxide layer removal is achieved, but residual moisture negatively impacts subsequent applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxide layer removal efficiencyVSAvoidresidual moisture impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the treatment medium by replacing acidic aqueous solutions with ionic liquids having controlled water content below 100 ppm. This maintains high oxide removal efficiency while eliminating the harmful residual moisture effect that plagues traditional acidic treatments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the chemical mechanism of acidic solution treatment with an alternative chemical system using ionic liquids containing aluminum salts and halogen-containing compounds. This substitution achieves equivalent or superior oxide removal while avoiding the moisture-related harmful effects of acidic aqueous solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively removes the oxide layer without exposing the sheet to acidic solutions or atmospheric environments, reducing the risk of re-oxidation and improving subsequent application performance.

Implementation Method 1

soaking the aluminum electrode sheet in an ionic liquid to remove the oxide layer... the oxide layer is corroded to produce the exposed part of aluminum metal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion: Crevice Corrosion

Implementation Method 2

the soaking step is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere... a water/oxygen content in the nitrogen atmosphere is less than 100 ppm... reducing the probability of negative impacts on subsequent applications

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4375396A1Removal method applied to aluminum electrode sheet with oxide layer
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 APH EPOWER CO LTD
  • EP4375396A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4375396A1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1E
  • EP4375396A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A removal method applied to an aluminum electrode sheet (100) with an oxide layer (110), including a soaking step. The soaking step includes soaking the aluminum electrode sheet (100) in an ionic liquid to remove the oxide layer (110), such that the aluminum electrode sheet (100) has an exposed part (120) of aluminum metal, and the soaking step is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere.