Carbon-Coated Negative Electrode for Uniform Lithium Deposition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing all-solid-state rechargeable batteries face issues with non-uniform lithium metal precipitation, leading to low initial charge/discharge efficiency and output characteristics due to volume expansion and lithium dendrite formation.

Innovation Solution

A negative electrode for all-solid-state rechargeable batteries featuring a carbon material with specific d002 values between 3.500 and 3.620, optimized for uniform lithium metal precipitation, combined with a lithiophilic metal for improved electrochemical characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If lithium metal is used as the negative electrode to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but volume expansion and lithium dendrite formation occur reducing safety and reversible capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsafety and reversible capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A carbon coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal and the electrolyte. This coating layer mediates the interaction by providing a stable interface that prevents direct contact between lithium metal and electrolyte, thereby preventing dendrite formation and volume expansion while maintaining high energy density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the negative electrode by coating lithium metal with carbon. This parameter change (adding carbon coating) transforms the surface properties to prevent harmful effects while preserving the high capacity benefits of lithium metal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If precipitation-type negative electrode is used to avoid lithium metal issues, then safety is improved, but initial charge/discharge efficiency and output characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidinitial charge/discharge efficiency and output characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite negative electrode structure combining lithium metal and carbon coating layer. This composite material integrates the high capacity of lithium metal with the safety and stability of carbon, achieving both high initial charge/discharge efficiency and improved safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The carbon coating is applied locally on the surface of lithium metal particles, creating different functional zones: the inner lithium metal provides high capacity while the outer carbon layer provides safety and stability. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between performance and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If existing carbon materials are used in negative electrode coating layer, then manufacturing is simplified, but lithium metal precipitation uniformity and electrochemical characteristics are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlithium metal precipitation uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for the carbon coating layer thickness (1-20 nm) and carbon content (5-50 wt%). By controlling these parameters, the invention achieves uniform lithium metal precipitation while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional coating processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances the initial charge/discharge efficiency and output characteristics by ensuring uniform lithium metal layer formation during charging, improving the electrochemical performance of the battery.

Implementation Method 1

the carbon material has a d 002 value of greater than or equal to 3.500 and less than or equal to 3.620 as measured by X-ray Diffraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray Diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

induce precipitation of a good lithium metal layer of uniform thickness during charging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLithium metal precipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP4704164A1Negative electrode for all-solid-state rechargeable batteries and all-solid-state rechargeable batteries
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4704164A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4704164A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4704164A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are a negative electrode for an all-solid-state rechargeable battery, and an all-solid-state rechargeable battery including the same, the negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector, and a negative electrode coating layer disposed on the negative electrode current collector and including a carbon material, wherein the carbon material has a d002 value of greater than or equal to 3.500 and less than or equal to 3.620 as measured by X-ray diffraction.