Battery Separator Metal Oxide Coating Against Metal Layer Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of lithium ion secondary battery separators is reduced due to natural oxidation of the porous metal layer, leading to a loss of function and shortened battery lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A separator for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries is designed with a porous base material, a metal layer on either or both surfaces, and a metal oxide layer on one or both surfaces of the metal layer, which inhibits oxidation and enhances durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a porous metal layer is formed on the separator to secure conductive state, then charging-discharging cyclicity is improved, but natural oxidation of the metal layer develops from surface to interior causing loss of function and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal layer with a metal oxide layer to create a multi-layered structure on the separator. The metal layer (e.g., Cu, Ag, Al) provides electrical conductivity for charging-discharging cyclicity, while the metal oxide layer (e.g., CuO, Ag2O, Al2O3) forms a protective barrier that prevents natural oxidation of the metal layer, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining conductivity and preventing oxidation-induced degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal oxide layer acts as an intermediary between the metal layer and the external environment. It serves as a protective mediator that allows the metal layer to maintain its conductive function while being shielded from oxidative damage, thus extending the separator's durability without compromising charging-discharging performance.
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 separator exhibits excellent durability, maintaining charging-discharging performance and prolonging the battery's service life by preventing oxidation of the metal layer, even in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.
Implementation Method 1
the porous metal layer undergoes natural oxidization and the natural oxidization develops from the surface to the interior of the porous metal layer
Data Source
AI summary
A separator for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention includes a porous base material, a metal layer situated over either or both of opposite surfaces of the porous base material, and a metal oxide layer situated either over one of opposite surfaces of the metal layer or over both of the opposite surfaces of the metal layer, the one being a surface opposite to a surface of the metal layer on a side of the porous base material.