Integrated Anode Collector-Separator for Dendrite-Resistant Lithium Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal batteries face issues with dendrite formation leading to short circuits and reduced cycle life due to side reactions with the electrolyte, and carbon-based anode materials have limited capacity.
Innovation Solution
A lithium battery design with an integrated anode current collector and separator structure, utilizing a gel polymer electrolyte at the interface and in the pores of the separator, along with a protective layer, to enhance adhesion strength and prevent thermal shrinkage, thereby improving thermal stability and cycle life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as anode active material to increase capacity, then electric capacity is improved, but dendrite formation occurs leading to short circuits and reduced cycle life
Solution Approach 1:
A gel polymer electrolyte layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal anode and the liquid electrolyte. This gel layer acts as a physical barrier that prevents direct contact and side reactions, thereby suppressing dendrite formation while maintaining lithium ion transport. The gel polymer electrolyte includes a crosslinked polymer network that provides structural stability and controls electrolyte distribution, resolving the contradiction between using high-capacity lithium metal and maintaining battery reliability.
2Strength
If anode active material layer is removed to form integrated structure, then adhesion strength is improved, but thermal stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure where the gel polymer electrolyte is integrated directly with the anode current collector, forming an anode current collector/gel polymer electrolyte integrated substrate. This composite structure eliminates the need for separate anode active material layers while maintaining strong adhesion. The crosslinked polymer network in the gel provides thermal stability, preventing separator shrinkage at elevated temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving strong adhesion and maintaining thermal stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gel polymer electrolyte is used to prevent thermal shrinkage, then thermal stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the anode current collector, anode active material layer, and gel polymer electrolyte into a single integrated substrate structure. By directly disposing the gel polymer electrolyte on the anode current collector and eliminating separate layers, the design reduces structural complexity while maintaining thermal stability. The integrated structure simplifies manufacturing and assembly processes compared to traditional multi-layer configurations.
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 design effectively prevents battery short circuits and enhances thermal safety, cycle life, and high-rate characteristics by minimizing dendrite formation and reducing thermal shrinkage.
Implementation Method 1
an initial adhesion strength at an interface between the anode current collector and the separator of the integrated structure is 0.15 gf/cm to 1.0 gf/cm
Implementation Method 2
The gel polymer electrolyte present at the interface between the anode current collector and the separator includes a liquid electrolyte containing an organic solvent and a lithium salt, and a crosslinked polymer
Implementation Method 3
The gel polymer electrolyte present at the interface between the anode current collector and the separator includes a liquid electrolyte containing an organic solvent and a lithium salt, and a crosslinked polymer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a lithium battery and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein an anode current collector, a separator, and a cathode are sequentially disposed in the lithium battery, wherein an anode active material layer or a protective layer is absent between the anode current collector and the separator, the anode current collector and the separator form an integrated structure, and the initial adhesion strength at an interface between the anode current collector and the separator of the integrated structure is 0.15 gf/cm to 1.0 gf/cm.