Battery Separator Coating for Thermal Runaway Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thermal management strategies for vehicle battery packs, including internal chemical solutions and external materials, face challenges such as increased resistance and weight, affecting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of phosphorus-based retardants, such as tricresylphosphate and dimethylmethylphosphonate, adsorbed onto ceramic materials like alumina, boehmite, or LTA-/FAU-type zeolites, which release water upon exceeding 1000°C to mitigate thermal runaway, while maintaining normal battery operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional thermal management materials (mica, aerogels, polymeric foam) are used externally, then thermal protection is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermal management function from separate external materials and integrates it into the battery cell structure itself through the separator coating. The separator is modified to provide both its original function and thermal protection, eliminating the need for additional external thermal management materials and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is given multiple functions: it continues to provide its original separation function while also serving as a thermal management system through the organophosphate ceramic coating. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate thermal management materials, reducing weight while maintaining thermal protection.
2Reliability
If traditional chemical solutions in electrolytic solutions are used internally, then thermal event control is improved, but resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The organophosphate ceramic coating acts as a sacrificial thermal management layer that remains dormant during normal operation and only activates during thermal runaway events. This allows effective thermal protection without the continuous presence of chemical solutions that would increase resistance and reduce efficiency during normal battery operation.
3Reliability
If traditional external thermal management materials are used, then thermal propagation management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the thermal management function with the separator structure by coating the separator with organophosphate ceramic. This integration eliminates the need for separate external thermal management materials and simplifies the overall battery pack structure while maintaining effective thermal propagation management.
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
Provides effective thermal management without interfering with battery performance, ensuring robust thermal protection and flexibility across various cell form factors.
Implementation Method 1
a water wicking thermo-responsive organophosphate ceramic coating configured to release water as temperature increases
Implementation Method 2
tricresylphosphate adsorbed onto alumina, boehmite, or Linde Type A (LTA)-/Faujasite (FAU)-type zeolite adsorbent materials
Implementation Method 3
water wicking thermo-responsive organophosphate ceramic coating
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell is presented. The battery cell has a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator positioned between the electrodes. The separator includes a water wicking thermo-responsive organophosphate ceramic coating configured to release water as a temperature within the battery cell rises.