Anode-Free Metal Halide Battery With Passivated Current Collector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face limitations in energy density due to the use of graphite anodes, and transitioning to lithium metal anodes is challenging due to reactivity and manufacturing complexities, requiring advanced facilities and handling precautions.
Innovation Solution
An anode-free metal halide battery design that uses a current collector with a passivation layer and a cathode comprising metal halide salts, where metal ions are deposited on the current collector during charging, eliminating the need for a discrete metallic anode and reducing side reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If graphite anodes are used in lithium-ion batteries, then manufacturing is simpler and safety is improved, but energy density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the graphite anode material entirely, extracting only the current collector substrate. This eliminates the volume and weight limitations of graphite while maintaining the structural framework needed for battery assembly, thereby increasing energy density without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the anode from a graphite-based intercalation structure to a metal deposition structure on a current collector. This parameter change allows lithium metal to be deposited directly onto the current collector surface, achieving higher volumetric and gravimetric energy density while using simpler manufacturing processes compared to handling sensitive lithium metal foils
2Quantity of substance
If lithium metal anodes are used to increase energy density, then gravimetric and volumetric energy density improve, but manufacturing complexity increases due to air and moisture sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a passivation layer to the current collector before lithium metal deposition. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier that prevents air and moisture from reacting with the lithium metal during subsequent handling and operation, eliminating the need for complex inert atmosphere manufacturing facilities while maintaining high energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The passivation layer acts as an intermediary between the lithium metal and the external environment. It provides ion conductivity while blocking harmful reactions with air and moisture, thereby simplifying manufacturing requirements without compromising the energy density benefits of lithium metal anodes
3Speed
If no passivation layer is used on the current collector, then ion transport resistance is reduced, but side reactions occur and cycle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the passivation layer parameters to achieve both high ion conductivity and effective protection. By controlling the layer's composition and structure, it provides sufficient ion transport pathways while maintaining barrier properties against side reactions, thereby achieving both fast ion transport and long cycle stability
4Reliability
If metal ions are deposited uniformly on the current collector, then dendrite formation is suppressed and safety is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passivation layer serves as a mediator that promotes uniform metal ion deposition. It provides a consistent surface morphology and controlled ion flux distribution, which naturally guides uniform lithium metal plating without requiring extremely precise manufacturing control, thereby achieving safety improvements with moderate precision requirements
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
This design achieves higher energy density, simpler manufacturing, and stable operation with uniform lithium-ion plating, suppressing dendrite formation and enhancing cycle efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The passivation layer allows metal ion transport
Implementation Method 2
applying a charging voltage to the halide battery cell to cause metal ions to deposit on the anode-current collector
Implementation Method 3
The electrolyte comprises a solvent and at least one ion conducting salt
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an anode-free metal halide battery. The metal halide battery comprises a current collector, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The current collector comprises a passivation layer of an electrically insulating material. The passivation layer allows metal ion transport. The electrolyte comprises an ion-conducting material and is in contact with the current collector and the cathode. The cathode comprises a metal halide salt incorporated into an electrically conductive metal.