Lithium Battery Electrode Structure for Fast Charge Ion Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable lithium batteries face challenges in achieving high power and fast charge characteristics due to limitations in electrolyte immersion ability and lithium ion mobility.

Innovation Solution

The development of an electrode with an active material layer featuring a combination of first and second holes, where the second hole has a greater depth than the first, with a depth ratio of about 1:2 to 1:5, enhancing electrolyte impregnation and lithium ion mobility while increasing the reaction surface area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrode uses a conventional flat active material layer structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrolyte immersion ability and lithium ion mobility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolyte immersion abilityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode employs a porous active material layer with controlled pore size distribution (average pore diameter of 1-10 μm) to enhance electrolyte immersion ability. The porous structure allows electrolyte to penetrate deeply into the active material layer, improving lithium ion mobility and electrochemical performance while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a hierarchical pore structure with different depth levels (first holes with depth of 10-30 μm and second holes with depth of 30-50 μm) to create multi-dimensional pathways for electrolyte penetration. This dimensional approach enhances lithium ion transport efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the electrode uses a conventional flat active material layer structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the lithium absorption and active mass density are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelithium absorption capacityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The porous active material layer with optimized pore size distribution increases the surface area available for lithium absorption. The hierarchical pore structure (first and second holes at different depths) provides multiple pathways for lithium ion insertion and extraction, enhancing lithium absorption capacity while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The active material layer is segmented into regions with different pore densities and depths. The first holes (shallower) and second holes (deeper) create a segmented structure that optimizes lithium ion transport paths, allowing efficient lithium absorption throughout the layer without requiring overly complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Power

If the electrode uses a conventional flat active material layer structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the high power and fast charge characteristics are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh power and fast charge characteristicsVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The porous structure with controlled pore size distribution enhances electrolyte access to active material particles, reducing resistance to lithium ion transport. This enables faster charge rates and higher power output while maintaining a manufacturing process that is not excessively complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The hierarchical pore structure introduces vertical dimensionality with holes at different depths, creating efficient three-dimensional pathways for lithium ion transport. This multi-dimensional approach enables fast charge characteristics by reducing diffusion paths, while the regular pattern of holes maintains manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 electrochemical characteristics by increasing lithium absorption and active mass density, reducing lithium deposition, and enhancing battery performance in terms of high power and fast charging capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

improving electrolyte immersion ability and lithium ion mobility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

lithium ion mobility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4485556A1Electrode for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including same
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4485556A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4485556A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4485556A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same are provided. The electrode includes an active material layer including an active material and having a first hole and a second hole, the second hole having a depth greater than a depth of the first hole, wherein a ratio of the depth of the first hole to (:) the depth of the second hole is about 1 : 2 to about 1 : 5.