Anode Metal Member Redirects Dendrite Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries face issues with dendrite formation on the anode surface, leading to degraded cycle performance and increased cell failure rates due to internal short circuits, which compromises safety and stability.

Innovation Solution

An anode design featuring a metal member with higher reactivity bonded to non-coating portions of the anode collector, which redirects the precipitation of metal oxides, preventing dendrite formation and reducing internal short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional anode structure is used, then the battery can operate with standard design, but dendrites form on the anode surface leading to internal short circuits and safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery safetyVSAvoiddendrite formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A metal member with higher reactivity than the anode collector is introduced as an intermediary substance. This metal member preferentially reacts with metal oxides to form a protective layer, preventing direct contact between metal oxides and the anode collector, thereby suppressing dendrite formation and internal short circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If metal oxides are present during battery preparation, then the battery can be manufactured with standard materials, but metal oxides precipitate on the anode surface forming dendrites that degrade cycle performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle performanceVSAvoidmetal oxide precipitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful metal oxides are converted into a beneficial protective layer through the reaction with the metal member. The metal oxides that would otherwise form dendrites are transformed into a stable coating on the metal member surface, preventing further harmful precipitation on the anode collector

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 suppresses dendrite formation, enhancing the safety and stability of lithium secondary batteries by preventing internal short circuits and improving cycle performance.

Implementation Method 1

a metal member which is bonded to the non-coating portion and has higher reactivity or reducibility with respect to a metal oxide than the anode collector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox Reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10050250B2Anode for lithium secondary battery and lithium ion secondary battery including the same

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Provided are an anode for a secondary battery including an anode collector, an anode active material coated on the anode collector, and a non-coating portion (anode tab) which protrudes from one side of the anode collector and is not coated with an anode active material, wherein the anode includes a metal member which is bonded to the non-coating portion and has higher reactivity or reducibility with respect to a metal oxide than the anode collector, and a secondary battery including the anode.