Carbon Nanotube Network Coating via Preliminary Action

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in depositing nanoscale materials within nanofiber networks post-networking, as traditional coating techniques result in non-uniform coating characteristics, especially for networked carbon nanotubes, limiting their performance in batteries regarding speed of charging and discharging, and charge capacity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving providing nanofibers and a nanoscale solid substance in a liquid vehicle, forming a network, and redistributing the nanoscale substance to coat the nanofibers, ensuring uniform deposition and maintaining electrical conductivity while providing electrochemical insulation, thereby enhancing the performance of carbon nanotube networks in batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional coating techniques are used on networked carbon nanotubes, then coating can be applied, but the coating characteristics become non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating uniformityVSAvoidcoating process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by coating carbon nanotubes before they are assembled into the final network structure. This pre-coating approach ensures uniform coating distribution on individual nanotubes before networking, avoiding the non-uniformity that occurs when attempting to coat already-formed networks. The coated nanotubes are then combined to form the electrode network, maintaining both coating uniformity and manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If nanofibers are networked first and then coated, then network structure is formed, but deposition of materials within porous regions becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial distribution uniformityVSAvoidprocess sequence complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing the coating operation before network assembly. Individual nanofibers are coated with active materials while still dispersed, ensuring complete coverage including surfaces that would be inaccessible in the final network. The coated nanofibers are then assembled into the network structure, guaranteeing uniform material distribution throughout the porous regions without requiring complex post-networking deposition processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If coating is applied to networked carbon nanotubes, then coating coverage is achieved, but electrical conductivity may be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating coverageVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by coating individual carbon nanotubes before network formation. This approach allows precise control of coating thickness and distribution on each nanotube, ensuring that the active material coating does not completely insulate the nanotube surface. By controlling the coating application on individual tubes prior to networking, both adequate coating coverage and sufficient electrical conductivity are maintained in the final assembled structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enables the creation of high-speed, high-capacity, lightweight, and safe battery electrodes by optimizing the distribution of active materials within nanofiber networks, improving charge-discharge efficiency and reducing internal resistance.

Implementation Method 1

redistributing at least a portion of the nanoscale solid substance within the network

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

providing nanofibers, capable of forming a network in the presence of a liquid vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11489166B2Method of depositing nanoscale materials within a nanofiber network and networked nanofibers with coating

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 WELLSTAT BIOCATYLYSIS LLC

AI summary

Provided herein is a method of making a conductive network by combining uncoated carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotubes coated with an electroactive substance to create an electrically conductive network; and redistributing at least a portion of the electroactive substance. Also provided herein is an electrically conductive network with an active material coating; first carbon nanotubes coated with the active material coating; and second carbon nanotubes partially coated with the active material coating, wherein at least a portion of the surfaces of the second carbon nanotubes directly contact surfaces of other second carbon nanotubes without the active material coating between these second carbon nanotubes, and wherein the first carbon nanotubes and the second carbon nanotubes are entangled to form an electrically conductive network.