Battery Separator With Mesoporous Insulating Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium ion secondary batteries face issues with ion conductivity at room temperature when using solid electrolytes and polyolefin separators, which can lead to electric short circuits due to lithium dendrite formation and poor heat stability, especially during rapid charging or low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A battery separator with an electronically insulating layer comprising microparticles and nanoparticles of specific diameters with mesoporous structures, along with a binder and ion conductive composition, is used to enhance ion conductivity and mechanical strength, preventing short circuits and maintaining electrolyte solution retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a solid electrolyte is used, then mechanical strength is improved, but ion conductivity at room temperature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidion conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite gel electrolyte comprising a polymer matrix (providing mechanical strength) and inorganic nanoparticles (providing ion conduction pathways). This composite structure allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve adequate mechanical properties and high ion conductivity at room temperature, resolving the contradiction between strength and conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates inorganic nanoparticles with porous structures into the gel electrolyte. These porous materials provide three-dimensional ion conduction channels that enhance ion conductivity while the polymer matrix maintains mechanical integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and ion conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If a polyolefin separator is used, then electrical insulation is improved, but heat stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidheat stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the polyolefin separator with a gel electrolyte composite comprising polymer matrix and inorganic nanoparticles. This composite material provides both electrical insulation (through the polymer matrix) and heat stability (through the high-temperature stability of inorganic nanoparticles), resolving the contradiction between electrical insulation and heat stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If carbon black anode is used, then lithium ion insertion is improved, but lithium dendrite formation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelithium ion insertionVSAvoiddendrite formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gel electrolyte as an intermediary layer between the carbon black anode and cathode. This gel electrolyte with three-dimensional ion conduction channels mediates lithium ion transport, allowing efficient insertion while preventing dendrite formation through uniform ion distribution, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a battery device with improved ion conductivity, mechanical strength, and stable electrolyte retention, preventing short circuits and ensuring safe operation in various temperature conditions, particularly suitable for stationary and electric vehicle applications.

Implementation Method 1

a gel electrolyte (polymer gel) which is an intermediate form of an electrolyte solution and a solid electrolyte has been developed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

in order to electrically insulate the anode and the cathode, a porous separator is used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectronic insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3078034B1Battery separator comprising electronically insulating layer and battery device
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP3078034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3078034B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3078034B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An electrical insulation layer including microparticles and having a mesoporous structure; and a battery device including a cathode, an anode, an electrical insulation layer including microparticles and having a mesoporous structure, the electrical insulation layer being arranged between the anode and the cathode, and an ion conductive composition.