Aqueous Slurry Coated Battery Separator Preventing Pore Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current separators for lithium secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high thermal stability and electrochemical stability, leading to safety concerns and reduced battery capacity due to the use of organic solvents, which cause pore closure and environmental issues.

Innovation Solution

A separator with a coating layer composed of inorganic particles and a binder copolymer, including acrylamide, vinyl cyanide, and acrylic monomers, applied via an aqueous slurry and heat-dried to prevent pore closure, ensuring smooth lithium ion movement and improved thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thermal resistant resin coating layer is formed using an organic solvent, then thermal resistance is improved, but transmittance is lowered due to pore closure and environmental problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal resistanceVSAvoidpore size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic to aqueous, which fundamentally alters the interaction with the microporous membrane. The aqueous solvent does not penetrate and close the pores like organic solvents do, while still allowing the thermal resistant resin to form a coating layer that provides thermal resistance without compromising transmittance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a binder as an intermediary substance that facilitates the formation of the thermal resistant resin coating layer. The binder holds the resin particles together and adheres them to the microporous membrane surface, enabling effective thermal resistance without requiring organic solvents that would close the pores

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If organic solvent is used to form coating layer, then thermal resistant resin coating is achieved, but basic functions of microporous membrane are hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal resistanceVSAvoidshutdown function
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the solvent parameter from organic to aqueous, the patent preserves the microporous membrane's basic functions including shutdown capability. The aqueous solvent evaporates without penetrating deep into the pores, allowing the membrane's inherent safety mechanisms to remain functional while still providing thermal resistance through the coating layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If inorganic material is mixed in binder solution to improve thermal shrinkage, then thermal stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple coating steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thermal resistant resin and inorganic material into a single coating composition applied in one step. This combination approach provides both thermal resistance and thermal shrinkage prevention simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate coating steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining excellent thermal stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite coating layer consisting of thermal resistant resin particles and inorganic material particles bound together. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of both materials - the resin provides thermal resistance while the inorganic material prevents thermal shrinkage - achieving superior thermal stability without complex multi-step manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a separator with a low thermal shrinkage ratio, high melt fracture temperature, and enhanced battery stability, preventing rapid lifespan decrease and ensuring electrical characteristics like capacity retention, while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

applying an aqueous slurry including inorganic particles, a binder, and water on a porous substrate; and forming a coating layer by heat drying after applying the aqueous slurry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a binder for binding the plurality of inorganic particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10854863B2Separator for secondary battery, method for manufacturing the same and lithium secondary battery containing the same
Publication Date: 2020.12.01 SK INNOVATION CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a separator for a secondary battery including: a porous substrate; and a coating layer formed on the porous substrate, wherein the coating layer includes a plurality of inorganic particles and a binder for binding the plurality of inorganic particles, and the binder includes a copolymer of a monomer mixture including an acrylamide-based monomer, a vinyl cyanide monomer, and an acrylic monomer having a carboxyl group.