Coated Silicon Particle Anode for High-Power Alkaline Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and recyclable battery components, particularly silicon anodes for electrochemical primary cells with alkaline electrolytes, that offer high power density and low lithium content, while being suitable for recycling processes.
Innovation Solution
A silicon anode is developed as a three-dimensional shaped body with silicon particles cohesive at contact points, coated with a conductive metallic alloy or metal for electrical contacting, and optionally inhibited against corrosion, using materials that can be recycled or reused, with a focus on minimizing lithium content and maximizing surface area for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If silicon particles are used to form a three-dimensional shaped body with cohesive connections, then power density is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anode is divided into multiple silicon particles of different sizes (1 nm to 30 micrometers) that are cohesively connected at contact points, creating a three-dimensional shaped body. This segmentation allows high power density through increased surface area while maintaining manageable manufacturing through standardized particle production processes
Solution Approach 2:
The anode combines silicon particles with a conductive metallic alloy or metal coating applied to the outer surface. This composite structure enhances electrical conductivity and facilitates electrical contacting, resolving the manufacturing complexity issue while maintaining high power density performance
2Productivity
If the outer surface of the shaped body is increased relative to the enveloping body, then current flow is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the outer surface area should be at least 5%, preferably 10%, particularly preferably at least 15% larger than the surface of the enveloping body. This parameter change optimizes current flow while providing clear manufacturing targets that balance performance requirements with achievable precision levels
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive metallic alloy or metal coating is applied specifically to the outer surface of the shaped body, enhancing electrical conductivity where it is most needed for current flow, rather than requiring uniform high precision throughout the entire structure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lithium content is minimized to less than 0.1% by weight, then environmental friendliness is improved, but energy density may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes lithium from the anode composition entirely, using only silicon particles with cohesive connections. This extraction of the harmful lithium component achieves environmental friendliness and recyclability while compensating for energy density through optimized silicon particle morphology and arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters to exclude lithium and uses silicon particles with specific size distributions (1 nm to 30 micrometers) and surface area characteristics to maintain adequate energy density without lithium content
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 silicon anode provides high power density, low lithium content, and enhanced recyclability, addressing the environmental and economic requirements for battery components, with a larger surface area contributing to increased current flow and extended cell performance.
Implementation Method 1
the cohesive bond is formed at the contact points of the silicon particles by silicon material of the silicon particles in that the silicon particles are i) melted together
Implementation Method 2
the cohesive bond is formed at the contact points of the silicon particles by silicon material of the silicon particles in that the silicon particles are ii) sintered
Implementation Method 3
the three-dimensional shaped body having a coating of a conductive metallic alloy or a metal for electrical contacting on at least part of its outer surface
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 1e~1f
AI summary
The invention relates to a silicon anode, in particular for use in electrochemical primary cells with alkaline electrolyte, in the form of a three-dimensional shaped body with an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the three-dimensional shaped body comprises silicon particles with a particle size of 1 nm to 200 micrometers, which have contact points, in particular made of silicon, to adjacent silicon particles, the adjacent silicon particles are materially connected to each other via the contact points, in particular the connection between the silicon particles consists of silicon, wherein the three-dimensional shaped body has a coating of a conductive metallic alloy or a metal for electrical contacting on at least a part of its outer surface.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing the silicon anode and the use of this in a primary cell or a battery comprising a plurality of primary cells.