Lithium Battery Electrode Coating for Adhesion-Conductivity Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rechargeable lithium batteries face a trade-off between adhesive strength and conductivity due to the use of binders like CMC and PVdF, which limits their cycle-life characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a compound with a catechol functional group, a quinone functional group, or a combination thereof into the conductive coating layer of the electrode, allowing for reduced binder usage while maintaining or improving adhesive strength and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the amount of binder is increased to improve adhesive strength, then adhesive strength is improved, but conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidconductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the conductive coating layer by introducing compounds with catechol or quinone functional groups. These compounds provide strong chelation ability that enhances adhesive strength without requiring increased binder content, thereby maintaining conductivity while improving adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite conductive coating layer containing conductive material, binder, and compounds with catechol/quinone functional groups. This composite structure synergistically combines the adhesive properties of the catechol/quinone compounds with the conductive properties of the conductive material, resolving the trade-off between adhesion and conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the amount of conductive material is increased to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but adhesive strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconductivityVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical composition by adding compounds with catechol or quinone functional groups that provide strong chelation ability. This allows the conductive coating layer to maintain high conductivity through increased conductive material content while compensating for reduced adhesive strength through the chelation effect of the catechol/quinone compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional binders (CMC, PVdF) are used to provide adhesive strength, then adhesive strength is achieved, but cycle-life characteristics deteriorate due to the trade-off between adhesion and conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidcycle-life characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition by incorporating compounds with catechol or quinone functional groups that provide strong chelation ability. This allows for reduced binder content while maintaining adhesive strength, and the improved conductivity resulting from higher conductive material content enhances cycle-life characteristics by reducing resistance increase during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite conductive coating layer that combines conventional binder with compounds having catechol/quinone functional groups and conductive material. This composite structure achieves both sufficient adhesive strength and high conductivity, thereby improving cycle-life characteristics without the limitations of using only conventional binders.

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 electrode exhibits excellent adhesive strength and conductivity, leading to improved cycle-life characteristics of the rechargeable lithium battery by minimizing resistance increase and energy density decrease during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a compound including a catechol functional group, a quinone functional group, or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

a conductive coating layer on the current collector; and an active material layer on the conductive coating layer, wherein the conductive coating layer includes a conductive material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4498444A1Electrode for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4498444A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4498444A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4498444A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same, the electrode including a current collector; a conductive coating layer on the current collector; and an active material layer on the conductive coating layer, wherein the conductive coating layer includes a conductive material; a binder; and a compound including a catechol functional group, a quinone functional group, or a combination thereof.