Anode Electrode Sealed Cavity for Lithium Metal Deposition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The irregular deposition of lithium metal on anode electrodes in electrochemical devices, such as lithium ion batteries, can lead to short-circuits and device failure due to contact with current collectors or cathode electrodes, limiting the energy density of these devices.
Innovation Solution
An anode electrode design featuring a current collector with an insulation layer on its periphery and a protection layer covering the insulation layer, creating a sealed cavity to contain lithium metal deposition and prevent irregular growth, using materials like polyimide, polyvinylidene fluoride, and ceramic materials to control lithium ion and metal deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal material is used to replace graphite material in the anode electrode to improve energy density, then the energy density of the electrochemical device is improved, but irregular deposition of lithium metal occurs causing short-circuits and device failure
Solution Approach 1:
The anode electrode is segmented into multiple functional layers: a current collector, an insulation layer disposed on the current collector, and a protection layer disposed on the insulation layer. This segmentation contains lithium metal deposition within specific regions, preventing irregular growth that causes short-circuits while maintaining high energy density through lithium metal material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation layer acts as an intermediary between the current collector and the protection layer, controlling lithium ion transport and preventing direct contact between deposited lithium metal and the current collector. This intermediary structure enables the use of lithium metal material for high energy density while ensuring device reliability by preventing short-circuits.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium metal material is used in the anode electrode to increase energy density, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but lithium metal deposition contacts with the current collector or cathode electrode causing short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The anode electrode structure is divided into distinct segments with the insulation layer and protection layer separating the lithium metal deposition region from the current collector and cathode electrode. This segmentation increases energy storage capacity through lithium metal while eliminating short-circuit risks by containing deposition within the protected region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the anode electrode have different local qualities: the current collector provides electrical conductivity, the insulation layer provides electrical insulation and controls ion transport, and the protection layer provides mechanical protection. This local quality differentiation enables high energy storage capacity while preventing harmful short-circuit contacts.
3Reliability
If the anode electrode structure is improved with insulation and protection layers to prevent short-circuits, then device safety is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anode electrode is segmented into three functional layers (current collector, insulation layer, protection layer) to improve device safety by preventing short-circuits. While this segmentation does increase structural complexity, each layer has a specific function that collectively ensures safety without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode electrode uses composite material structure combining different materials with complementary properties: conductive current collector material, insulating material for the insulation layer, and protective material for the protection layer. This composite approach improves device safety while managing structural complexity through material functionality integration.
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 effectively limits lithium metal deposition to within the sealed cavity, preventing short-circuits and enhancing the energy density of electrochemical devices by controlling the direction and extent of lithium metal growth, thereby improving safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation layer being disposed on a peripheral portion of the first surface and/or a peripheral portion of the second surface; and a protection layer being disposed on the insulation layer and covering the first surface and/or the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an anode electrode and an electrochemical device containing the same. The anode electrode comprises: a current collector, including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; an insulation layer being disposed on a peripheral portion of the first surface and/or a peripheral portion of the second surface; and a protection layer being disposed on the insulation layer and covering the first surface and/or the second surface. According to an embodiment of the present application, the insulation layer and the protection layer are disposed in the anode electrode of the electrochemical device to construct a seal cavity, which defines a space of the deposition of lithium metal on the anode electrode, thereby resolving the safety problem caused by the irregular deposition of the lithium metal.