Composite Zinc Current Collector for Dendrite-Resistant Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zinc secondary batteries suffer from poor cycle performance due to zinc dendrites growing on the negative electrode, causing short circuits and reducing the battery's cycle life.
Innovation Solution
A preparation method for a composite current collector for zinc secondary batteries, involving a zinc mesh with carbon cloth and tin fillings, soaked in a graphene dispersion and coated with a conductive paste, to enhance electrical conductivity and reduce corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zinc mesh is used as current collector, then battery cost is reduced and power density is improved, but zinc dendrites grow causing short circuits and poor cycle performance
Solution Approach 1:
A carbon cloth layer is introduced as an intermediary between the zinc mesh and the electrolyte. This carbon cloth mediator prevents direct contact between zinc dendrites and the electrolyte, blocking the harmful effect of dendrite growth while maintaining ionic conductivity through the carbon material.
Solution Approach 2:
The current collector is designed as a composite structure combining zinc mesh and carbon cloth layers. This composite material integrates the high conductivity and cost-effectiveness of zinc with the dendrite-resistant properties of carbon, solving the reliability issue while preserving the advantages of zinc-based electrodes.
2Reliability
If zinc mesh is used as current collector, then electrical conductivity is improved, but corrosion occurs reducing battery lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon cloth acts as a protective intermediary layer that isolates the zinc mesh from direct exposure to the corrosive electrolyte environment. This mediator layer prevents corrosion reactions while allowing electrical current to pass through the conductive carbon material.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of zinc mesh combined with carbon cloth provides both the electrical conductivity needed for battery operation and the corrosion resistance of carbon materials, extending battery lifespan without sacrificing performance.
3Reliability
If carbon cloth is added between zinc mesh layers, then dendrite growth is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon cloth and zinc mesh are merged into a single integrated current collector unit through thermal pressing. This combining approach creates a unified component that performs both dendrite suppression and electrical conduction functions, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite current collector integrates multiple functions (dendrite suppression, electrical conductivity, structural support) into a single multi-layer material structure, avoiding the need for separate components and simplifying the overall battery design.
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 method significantly improves the cycle performance of zinc secondary batteries by reducing corrosion and maintaining electrical conductivity, thereby prolonging the battery's cycle life.
Implementation Method 1
the two layers of zinc mesh are thermally pressed with the carbon cloth
Implementation Method 2
the pressed zinc mesh is soaked in a graphene dispersion
Implementation Method 3
two surfaces of the dried pressed zinc mesh are coated with a conductive paste
Implementation Method 4
Tin powder is filled in the mesh pores of the zinc mesh
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a preparation method of a composite current collector for a zinc secondary battery, a negative electrode plate, and a zinc secondary battery. The preparation method of the composite current collector for the zinc secondary battery comprises: 1) disposing a layer of carbon cloth between two layers of zinc mesh, thermally pressing the two layers of zinc mesh with the carbon cloth, and rolling the two layers of zinc mesh with the carbon cloth to obtain a pressed zinc mesh; 2) soaking the pressed zinc mesh in a graphene dispersion, then taking out and drying the pressed zinc mesh after soaking; and 3) coating two surfaces of the dried pressed zinc mesh with a conductive paste and drying to obtain the composite current collector for the zinc secondary battery.