Anode Current Collector Plasma Tuning for Uniform Lithium Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poor wettability of molten lithium on anode current collectors in lithium metal anode electrodes leads to non-uniform coating, hindering the manufacturing of high-power batteries for electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving plasma surface modification of anode current collectors, where a lithiophilic coating is applied to a first portion to reduce wettability and plasma treatment is used to increase wettability on a second portion, followed by coating with molten lithium to form an anode active material layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lithiophilic coating is applied to the anode current collector, then lithium wettability is improved, but uniform coating is hindered due to poor wettability in certain regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface treatments to different regions of the anode current collector. Specifically, the edge portions receive a lithiophilic coating treatment to enhance lithium wettability, while the central portion maintains its original surface properties. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring good lithium coating on edges without compromising overall coating uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode current collector is divided into distinct regions (edge portions and central portion) that receive different surface modifications. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function, with edges enhanced for lithium adhesion and the center maintaining uniform coating characteristics.
2Manufacturing precision
If plasma surface modification is used to increase lithium wettability, then coating uniformity is improved, but bonding strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Plasma surface modification is applied selectively to specific regions of the anode current collector rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized plasma treatment enhances lithium wettability and coating uniformity in areas where it is most needed while preserving the natural bonding characteristics in other regions, thus resolving the contradiction between coating uniformity and bonding strength.
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 method achieves uniform coating of molten lithium on the anode current collector, enhancing bonding strength and enabling efficient manufacturing of lithium metal anode electrodes suitable for high-power batteries.
Implementation Method 1
treating the anode current collector with plasma to at least one of decrease lithium wettability of the first portion and to increase lithium wettability of the second portion
Implementation Method 2
coating the anode current collector with lithium metal to form an anode active material layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an anode electrode includes supplying an anode current collector; coating a first portion of the anode current collector with a precursor coating; not coating a second portion of the anode current collector with the precursor coating; treating the anode current collector with plasma to at least one of decrease lithium wettability of the first portion and to increase lithium wettability of the second portion; and coating the anode current collector with lithium metal to form an anode active material layer.