Bio-based Carbon Electrode for Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing processes for carbon electrodes, particularly for negative electrodes in energy storage devices, are complex and costly, generating hazardous substances and resulting in significant changes in storage capacitance during repeated charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
A carbon electrode is manufactured by heat-treating a natural fiber sheet or cellulose sheet containing natural fibers, which reduces the manufacturing process complexity, costs, and hazardous substance discharge, while maintaining uniform storage capacitance, using alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal particles with controlled average particle sizes formed during the carbonization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If petroleum-based pitch is used as carbonaceous substance and heat-treated at 600-800°C, then carbon material with coated surface is formed, but manufacturing cost increases and hazardous substances are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter from petroleum-based pitch to bio-based materials (sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, corn cob), fundamentally altering the carbonization process to eliminate hazardous substance generation while maintaining effective surface coating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses inexpensive agricultural waste materials instead of expensive petroleum-based pitch, reducing both material cost and environmental harm. These bio-based materials are readily available and eliminate the need for complex hazardous waste disposal procedures
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple preparation processes are used for artificial graphite, natural graphite, and petroleum-based pitch, then carbon material is manufactured, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex multi-step preparation processes for artificial graphite, natural graphite, and petroleum-based pitch, replacing them with a single simplified process using preprocessed agricultural waste materials that require minimal preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a universal carbonization process that works with various agricultural waste materials (sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, corn cob) without requiring material-specific preparation steps, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining product quality
3Manufacturing precision
If heat-treatment at 600-800°C is performed in inert atmosphere, then carbonized material is produced, but manufacturing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the carbonization temperature parameter from 600-800°C to a higher range of 700-900°C, which accelerates the carbonization reaction rate and reduces processing time while achieving complete carbonization of the bio-based materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses agricultural waste materials that have inherent structural properties favorable for rapid carbonization, eliminating the need for prolonged heat treatment required by conventional materials
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 method results in a cost-effective, eco-friendly carbon electrode with excellent electrical conductivity and minimal capacitance variation during repeated charging and discharging, suitable for energy storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon electrode and a method for manufacturing the same capable of shortening a manufacturing process... by forming the carbon electrode by heat-treating a natural fiber sheet or cellulose sheet
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a carbon electrode particularly suitable to be used as a negative electrode of an energy storing apparatus and the like and a method for manufacturing the same by forming the carbon electrode by heat-treating a natural carbon material such as a natural fiber sheet including a natural fiber or cellulose sheet including a natural cellulose fiber which is a natural material other than a petroleum-based material or a petroleum-based synthetic material to reduce manufacturing cost, shorten a manufacturing process, minimize discharge of a hazardous substance, and uniformly maintain storage capacitance even in repeated charging and discharging when being applied to the energy storing apparatus. The carbon electrode includes any one of an alkaline metal particle and an alkaline earth metal particle having an average particle size of less than 100 nm which is formed on a surface in a process of carbonizing a natural carbon material.