Chelating Negative Electrode Material Prevents Zinc Dendrites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery technologies face challenges with the stability of negative electrodes in lithium-intercalated batteries, particularly due to zinc dendrites, which limit their application in large-scale energy storage systems, and existing solutions either compromise on stability or environmental and cost factors.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery negative electrode material composed of an organic polymer framework with a chelating/adsorption group and a bivalent or polyvalent metal ion, where the chelating/adsorption group forms ionic or coordination bonds with the metal ion, ensuring stability and preventing dendrite formation during charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional Zn/Zn2+ electrode is used in an aqueous battery, then the battery can achieve simple design and ease of manufacture, but zinc dendrites form during charging and discharging, compromising stability and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chelating/adsorbing negative electrode material as an intermediary between the traditional Zn/Zn2+ electrode and the electrolyte. This material contains chelating groups that specifically bind metal ions (Zn2+, Cu2+, etc.), mediating the electrochemical reactions to prevent direct zinc deposition that causes dendrites, while maintaining the simple aqueous battery design
2Adaptability or versatility
If VO2 is used as the negative electrode material in an aqueous lithium-ion battery, then the battery achieves pioneering aqueous operation, but the negative electrode material stability cannot be fundamentally solved over long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the negative electrode material by introducing chelating groups with specific functional moieties (amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, etc.) that can form stable complexes with metal ions. This parameter change enables the material to maintain structural stability during long-term aqueous electrochemical cycling while preserving aqueous operation capability
3Duration of action of moving object
If metal/metal ion electrodes are used to achieve unlimited lifetime in theory, then excellent electrochemical performance is obtained, but dendrites form during charging, preventing widespread application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful dendrite formation process into a beneficial controlled reaction process. By using chelating groups that selectively bind metal ions, the uncontrolled zinc deposition is transformed into controlled in-situ reactions where metal ions are reduced and deposited uniformly on the chelating sites, eliminating dendrites while maintaining long cycle life
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 effectively prevents dendrite formation, enhances the stability of the negative electrode, and results in environmentally friendly and cost-effective batteries with excellent performance, suitable for large-scale energy storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
ionic bonds or coordination bonds can be formed between the chelating/adsorption group and the active substance (bivalent or polyvalent metal ion)
Implementation Method 2
ionic bonds or coordination bonds can be formed between the chelating/adsorption group and the active substance (bivalent or polyvalent metal ion)
Implementation Method 3
a chelating/adsorption group is used to 'fix' metal ions for in-situ reactions (oxidation and reduction) of the negative electrode material
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery negative electrode material comprises a framework, a chelating/adsorption group and an active substance. The framework does not participate in electrochemical reaction, and only provides a carrier for the chelating/adsorption group (represented by iminodiacetic acid chelating groups in Figure), which contains N, S, P, O atoms having lone pair electrons in outer electrons and has chelating/chemical adsorption bonds formed between it and bivalent/polyvalent metals. The active substance is bivalent/polyvalent metal ion that can be reduced into lower valence states. The active substance metal ion is reduced, during charging, to metal in a lower valence/metal elemental state, which reversely forms, during discharging, the metal ion and has chelating/chemical adsorption bonds formed between it and the chelating/adsorption group. The negative electrode material can form a battery together with positive electrode materials. The battery is expected to be applied to electric vehicles or large-scale energy-storage projects for low price and reliability.