Aqueous Electrode Composition for Digital Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion battery electrode manufacturing processes rely on organic solvents, which are not environmentally friendly, and there is a need for compositions that can be used with digital printing techniques and exhibit stability and gelling properties when contacted with specific electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous composition comprising poly(acrylic acid) and polyethylene oxide polymers, active materials, and electronically conductive materials, which can gel upon contact with certain solvents, enabling the use of water as a solvent and compatibility with high-resolution digital printing methods like inkjet or aerosol jet processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If organic solvents are used in conventional electrode manufacturing, then good solubilization of polymeric binders is achieved, but environmental friendliness and health safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the solvent system from organic to aqueous. By selecting water-soluble polymeric binders (carboxymethylcellulose and polyacrylic acid) and using water as the solvent, the invention eliminates the harmful effects of organic solvents while maintaining the essential solubilization function needed for electrode manufacturing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water-soluble polymeric binders are used to replace organic solvents, then environmental friendliness is improved, but compatibility with digital printing techniques deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the aqueous composition including viscosity control through polymer molecular weight selection, solid content adjustment, and surface tension modification. These parameter changes enable the aqueous composition to meet the technical requirements of digital printing techniques while maintaining environmental friendliness.
3Device complexity
If conventional coating processes are used with aqueous compositions, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical coating processes with digital printing techniques that use controlled droplet deposition. This substitution enables precise spatial control of the coating material, achieving high resolution and pattern accuracy while maintaining process simplicity through digital control.
4Stability of the object's composition
If polyethylene oxide polymer is added to achieve gelling properties, then stability and post-gelling properties are improved, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymer system combining carboxymethylcellulose and polyethylene oxide in specific ratios. This composite approach provides synergistic effects where the combination of two polymers achieves the desired gelling properties and stability while allowing each component to contribute its unique characteristics.
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 composition achieves stable dispersion and gelling properties, allowing for the production of electrodes with improved electrochemical performance and environmental sustainability, while maintaining mechanical strength and electronic conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
exhibit post-gelling properties once brought into contact with an electrolyte comprising a solvent capable of gelling at least one of the polymers forming part of the compositions
Implementation Method 2
obtain a stable dispersion of the active material(s) and of the electronically conductive material(s)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to aqueous compositions for the manufacture of electrodes for lithium batteries comprising at least a first polymer from the poly(acrylic acid) family, at least a second polymer from the ethylene polyoxide family, at least one active material in particulate form and at least one electronically conductive material in particulate form.