Battery Separator with Low Air Permeability for Aqueous Electrolyte Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, face challenges in maintaining high energy density and preventing side reactions like electrolysis, particularly when using aqueous electrolytes, which require enhanced oxidation and reduction resistance at the electrodes to suppress unwanted reactions.
Innovation Solution
The battery design incorporates a separator with a low air permeability coefficient, housed in a container with distinct compartments for the electrodes, where the electrolytes are isolated by the separator, and the electrodes are arranged alternately with the separator interposed between them, maintaining the electrolyte interface and preventing electrolyte outflow or inflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an aqueous electrolysis solution is used to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but side reactions such as electrolysis of water occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into multiple independent battery units, each containing separate positive and negative electrodes with their own electrolysis solutions. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination and reduces side reactions between different electrode compartments while maintaining high energy density through optimized electrode arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator prevents direct contact and unwanted chemical reactions between the electrodes while allowing ionic conduction, thus suppressing side reactions such as electrolysis of water while maintaining the benefits of aqueous electrolysis solutions.
2Reliability
If oxidation resistance is increased at the positive electrode to suppress electrolysis, then reduction resistance must be increased at the negative electrode, but this complicates the battery configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple independent battery units, each with its own optimized electrode and electrolysis solution configuration. This allows each unit to be independently designed for optimal oxidation and reduction resistance characteristics without complicating the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different battery units are designed with locally optimized characteristics - some units emphasize oxidation resistance at the positive electrode while others emphasize reduction resistance at the negative electrode. This local quality approach allows suppression of electrolysis through tailored electrode configurations without requiring complex overall system design.
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 configuration effectively suppresses side reactions, enhances charge/discharge efficiency, and improves storage performance and cycle life by maintaining the electrolyte interface and preventing unwanted electrolyte movement.
Implementation Method 1
The separator has an air permeability coefficient of 1.0×10−14 m2 or less
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a battery includes a container member, a separator, a first electrode, a first electrolyte, a second electrode and a second electrolyte. The container member has a housing space in the interior, and the separator is housed in the housing space of the container member. The separator includes a bag, and the first electrode is housed in an interior of the bag. The first electrolyte is retained on the first electrode in the interior of the bag. The second electrode is located outside the bag in the housing space. The second electrolyte is retained by the second electrode outside the bag in the housing space.