Cleaning Agent for Nickel-Rich Cathode Impurity Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery cells are prone to contamination from impurities like LiOH, Li2CO3, and Ni(OH)2, leading to performance and lifespan deterioration, and existing methods for removing these impurities are complex, slow, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing battery cells involves continuous automation of material supply and processing, with comprehensive cleaning of materials, particularly the cathode, using cleaning agents like ethylene carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate to remove impurities before cell assembly, allowing for rapid and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If nickel-rich cathodes are used to increase energy density, then battery cell energy density is improved, but impurity formation (LiOH, Li2CO3, NiCO3, Ni(OH)2) increases when exposed to water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful impurities (LiOH, Li2CO3, NiCO3, Ni(OH)2) formed during water exposure into removable byproducts by introducing a cleaning agent that chemically reacts with these impurities. The cleaning agent transforms the harmful contaminants into soluble or removable substances that can be washed away, thereby converting the harm of impurity formation into a beneficial cleaning process that restores electrode performance while maintaining high nickel content for energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cleaning action by treating the cathode with a cleaning agent before final assembly and sealing of the battery cell. This preliminary treatment removes impurities formed during water exposure at earlier manufacturing stages, preventing these impurities from causing side reactions during battery operation. The cleaning step is performed in advance, allowing the use of nickel-rich materials without compromising battery performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If processing is done in a dry room to avoid water exposure, then impurity formation is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the processing environment by introducing a cleaning agent solution that creates a controlled chemical atmosphere. Instead of maintaining expensive dry room conditions (low humidity parameter), the process allows water exposure but compensates by adding the cleaning agent that neutralizes harmful reactions. This parameter change from controlling physical environment (humidity) to chemical environment (cleaning agent concentration) dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning agent acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between water exposure and the cathode material. Rather than preventing water contact through expensive dry room infrastructure, the cleaning agent intercepts and neutralizes the harmful effects of water exposure by reacting with formed impurities. This intermediary approach provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive environmental control infrastructure.
3Reliability
If existing cleaning methods are used to remove hydroxide ions, then electrode performance is optimized, but the process becomes complex, slow, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple process steps into a single integrated cleaning operation. Instead of separate steps for impurity formation control, cleaning, and rinsing, the method combines these into one unified process where the cleaning agent simultaneously reacts with impurities and facilitates their removal. This merging of steps simplifies the overall process, reduces complexity, and accelerates production while maintaining electrode performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous cleaning action by applying the cleaning agent in a continuous or semi-continuous manner during the manufacturing process. Rather than batch processing with long idle times, the cleaning agent is continuously supplied to react with and remove impurities as they form, maintaining continuous useful action. This continuous approach eliminates downtime between cleaning cycles and reduces overall process time while ensuring consistent electrode performance.
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 production of battery cells with minimal performance loss due to contamination, reducing production costs and ensuring efficient battery performance for motor vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning agent containing a first cleaning component that reacts with hydroxide ions is brought into contact with the electrode in such a way that the hydroxide ions bound to it are released from the electrode surface by reaction with the first cleaning component
Implementation Method 2
the components of the cleaning agent or the reaction products that could impair the cell's function must be removed from the electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery cell (18) comprising at least the following steps: a) continuous feeding of at least one first material (5) and a second material (2); b) combining the first material (5) and the second material (2) to form a partial stack (6); c) arranging several partial stacks (6) to form a cell stack (14); wherein, during at least one of steps a), b), or c), a step d) comprising cleaning at least the first material (5) is carried out. Furthermore, the use of a cleaning agent for manufacturing a lithium-ion battery cell and a battery cell are proposed.