Battery Electrode Insulating Coating to Prevent Slurry Gelation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing electrodes for secondary batteries face challenges in creating insulating layers with excellent wet adhesion, particularly when using aqueous binders, which can lead to gelation issues and compromised battery safety.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of an electrode slurry and an insulating composition, where the insulating composition includes an aqueous binder dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent, onto a current collector, ensuring the insulating composition covers the non-coated part of the current collector and the electrode slurry. The use of the same non-aqueous organic solvent in both the electrode slurry and the insulating composition prevents gelation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If aqueous binders are used in insulating layer to improve wet adhesion, then adhesion strength is improved, but gelation occurs between insulating composition and electrode slurry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewet adhesionVSAvoidcomposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Aqueous binder serves as an intermediary substance between the insulating layer and electrode slurry, providing strong wet adhesion while the non-aqueous solvent prevents gelation by maintaining composition stability during the coating process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from non-aqueous to aqueous in the insulating composition, enabling the use of aqueous binders that provide superior wet adhesion properties while managing gelation risks through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If water is used as solvent for aqueous binder coating, then binder dispersion is improved, but application to positive electrode becomes difficult due to moisture sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinder dispersionVSAvoidapplication feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Non-aqueous solvent acts as an intermediary medium that allows aqueous binder to be dispersed and applied to moisture-sensitive positive electrodes without causing gelation, bridging the gap between binder performance and electrode compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from aqueous to non-aqueous in the insulating composition, enabling the use of aqueous binders on moisture-sensitive electrodes by preventing unwanted chemical reactions while maintaining binder dispersion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If non-aqueous binder is used in insulating layer, then application to positive electrode is facilitated, but wet adhesion degrades in liquid electrolyte

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication easeVSAvoidwet adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating composition combines aqueous binder with non-aqueous solvent to create a composite material that exhibits both the application ease of non-aqueous systems and the superior wet adhesion of aqueous binders in liquid electrolyte environments

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

This method enhances the wet adhesion of the insulating layer in a liquid electrolyte, preventing lithium ion migration and improving battery safety and productivity by avoiding gelation and cracking issues.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating composition including an aqueous binder dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

does not block the migration of lithium ions in the overlay region of an electrode to cause capacity expression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon blocking:

Implementation Method 3

drying the electrode slurry and insulating composition applied onto the current collector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20250038164A1Method of Manufacturing Electrode for Secondary Battery Using Insulating Composition Including Aqueous Binder Substituted with Non-Aqueous Solvent

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present technology relates to a method of manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery. Aince an electrode is manufactured using an insulating composition including an aqueous binder dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent, the wet adhesion of an insulating layer can be increased, and the gelation between an electrode slurry and the insulating composition, which is caused by using different types of binders, can also be prevented.