Composite Lithium Electrode with Polymer Membrane for Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative electrodes in lithium-metal-polymer and sodium-based batteries face challenges in manufacturing and manipulation due to the malleable nature of metallic lithium and sodium, leading to cohesion issues and performance alterations, particularly in thin film forms.

Innovation Solution

A composite negative electrode structure comprising a non-porous polymer membrane in direct contact with a metallic layer, selected from pure lithium or sodium, and optionally an alloy, which is chemically compatible and flexible, allowing for easy handling and maintaining mechanical integrity even with tears, and can be electrically conducting to maintain grain-to-grain conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a thin film of metallic lithium or sodium is used as the negative electrode, then the battery capacity and energy density are improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and manipulation difficulty increase due to the malleable nature of these metals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining metallic lithium or sodium with a polymer matrix to form a composite negative electrode. The polymer provides mechanical strength and structural stability while the metal particles provide high capacity. This composite structure enables the electrode to maintain both high battery capacity and ease of manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between quantity of substance and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the thickness of the metallic lithium or sodium film is reduced to increase energy density, then the battery energy density is improved, but the mechanical integrity and cohesion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidmechanical integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure embeds thin metal particles or layers within a polymer matrix, allowing the metal component to be very thin for high energy density while the polymer provides the necessary mechanical integrity and cohesion. The polymer acts as a binding medium that holds the thin metal structures together, preventing them from breaking or detaching during battery operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer matrix acts as a flexible shell that encapsulates and protects the thin metallic lithium or sodium structures. This flexible polymer shell maintains the structural integrity of the thin metal film while allowing the overall electrode to remain flexible and manageable during manufacturing and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If pure metallic lithium or sodium is used to maximize capacity, then the electrochemical performance is improved, but the handling difficulty and manipulation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical performanceVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The composite electrode combines pure metallic lithium or sodium particles with a polymer matrix, maintaining the high electrochemical performance of the pure metal while the polymer provides mechanical stability and ease of handling. The polymer binder holds the metal particles together in a handleable structure that can be easily manipulated during electrode fabrication and battery assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables the production of thin, easily manipulable negative electrodes with improved mechanical integrity and electrical conductivity, enhancing the stability and performance of lithium-metal-polymer batteries by maintaining efficiency and capacity over a larger number of cycles compared to single-sheet metallic lithium electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

a non-porous polymer membrane in direct contact with a metallic layer, selected from pure lithium or sodium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

which is chemically compatible and flexible, allowing for easy handling and maintaining mechanical integrity even with tears

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

can be electrically conducting to maintain grain-to-grain conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230006199A1Composite electrode comprising a metal and a polymer membrane, manufacturing method and battery containing same

Publication Date: 2023.01.05 BLUE SOLUTIONS

AI summary

A composite negative electrode based on pure metallic lithium, pure metallic sodium or one of their alloys and a polymer membrane, a method for manufacturing such an electrode, as well as an electrical energy storage system, in particular an electrochemical accumulator such as a secondary (rechargeable) lithium or sodium battery comprising at least one such negative electrode. It is particularly applicable to Lithium-Metal-Polymer or LMP™ batteries.