Battery Electrode Surface Carbon Gradient for Stable Conduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The uneven distribution of conductive additives in the active material layer of electrodes leads to poor electron conduction paths, resulting in decreased discharge capacity retention rates of batteries.

Innovation Solution

The electrode design includes a surface layer with a carbon atom concentration greater than 29.8% at the main surface not in contact with the support, ensuring even distribution of carbon-based conductive additives, which facilitates better electron conduction paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductive additives are added to the active material layer, then electron conduction is improved, but uneven distribution of conductive additives occurs leading to poor electron conduction paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge capacity retention rateVSAvoiduniformity of conductive additive distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a surface layer with higher carbon atom concentration (greater than 29.8 at %) at the first main surface of the active material layer. This localized concentration of conductive additives at the surface ensures adequate electron conduction paths without requiring uniform distribution throughout the entire layer, thus resolving the contradiction between improving discharge capacity retention and maintaining compositional uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If carbon-based conductive additives are distributed evenly, then electron conduction paths are improved, but the complexity of controlling additive distribution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron conduction path qualityVSAvoidcomplexity of conductive additive distribution control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of carbon-based conductive additives by specifying that the carbon atom concentration at the surface layer portion must be greater than 29.8 at %. This parameter change approach simplifies the control of conductive additive distribution by focusing on achieving a specific concentration threshold at the surface rather than controlling uniform distribution throughout the entire layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the discharge capacity retention rate of the battery by enhancing electron exchange and reducing inner resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a carbon-based conductive additive... facilitates better electron conduction paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260058158A1Electrode, battery, and method for producing the battery

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electrode of the present disclosure includes a support and an active material layer that contains an active material, a solid electrolyte, and a carbon-based conductive additive and that has a first main surface not in contact with the support and a second main surface in contact with the support, in which a carbon atom concentration of a surface layer portion of the active material layer at the first main surface is greater than 29.8 at %.