Conductive Composition for Lithium Battery Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing conducting materials with two kinds of carbon-based materials in a uniformly dispersed state for lithium rechargeable batteries are complex and inefficient, leading to suboptimal electrical and lifetime characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A conducting material composition using a dispersant with poly aromatic hydrocarbon oxides, which are adsorbed on the surface of conductive carbon-based materials, allowing for a simplified method of dispersing graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon black in a polar solvent, resulting in a powdery composition with excellent redispersibility and improved electrical characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple conductive carbon-based materials are used together to form a three dimensional network structure, then electrical characteristics are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to difficulty in achieving uniform dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical characteristicsVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dispersant as an intermediary substance to facilitate uniform dispersion of multiple conductive carbon-based materials (graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black) in the slurry. The dispersant mediates between the carbon materials and the solvent, preventing aggregation and enabling simple mixing processes to achieve homogeneous distribution, thus resolving the contradiction between improved electrical characteristics and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the slurry by adding a dispersant with specific molecular structure and concentration (0.1-10 wt%). This parameter change transforms the slurry from a state where carbon materials aggregate to one where they disperse uniformly, enabling simple manufacturing processes to produce electrodes with optimal electrical characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If acid treatment and severe process conditions are applied to obtain uniformly dispersed powdery composition, then dispersion uniformity is improved, but process complexity and severity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform dispersion stateVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive and severe acid treatment processes with a simpler, more economical dispersant addition approach. The dispersant, though consumed in the process, enables uniform dispersion through simple mixing without requiring complex equipment or hazardous chemicals, thus reducing process complexity while maintaining composition stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical environment by introducing a dispersant that modifies surface properties and interfacial tension, enabling uniform dispersion at mild conditions. This parameter change eliminates the need for severe acid treatment while achieving the same dispersion uniformity, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If electrode thickness is increased to achieve higher capacity, then battery capacity is improved, but conducting path effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidconducting path effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite conducting material system combining three types of carbon-based materials (graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black) with complementary structures. This composite approach forms an efficient three-dimensional conducting network throughout the thick electrode, ensuring effective electron transport paths even at increased thickness, thus enabling high capacity while maintaining conducting path effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional conducting networks to three-dimensional networks by combining materials with different dimensional structures (graphene sheets, carbon nanotube cylinders, carbon black particles). This dimensional diversity creates interconnected conducting paths in multiple directions, ensuring effective conductivity throughout thick electrodes with high active material content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables the preparation of a conducting material composition with high content and uniform dispersion of conductive carbon-based materials, enhancing the electrical and lifetime characteristics of lithium rechargeable batteries while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

π- π interactions between the graphenes or carbon nano tubes may be decreased due to steric hindrance

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effectπ-π interactions:

Implementation Method 2

dispersing the conductive carbon-based material by performing sonication on the dispersion solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3057104B1Conductive composition, slurry composition for forming electrode of lithium secondary battery using same, and lithium secondary battery
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3057104B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3057104B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3057104B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a conducting material composition capable of forming an electrode in which at least two kinds of carbon based materials are contained in a uniformly dispersed state to enable a battery such as a lithium rechargeable battery having more improved electrical and lifetime characteristics to be provided, and a slurry composition for forming an electrode of a lithium rechargeable battery and a lithium rechargeable battery using the same. The conducting material composition contains: at least two kinds of conductive carbon-based materials selected from the group consisting of carbon nano tube, graphene, and carbon black; and a dispersant containing a plurality kinds of poly aromatic hydrocarbon oxides, wherein the dispersant contains poly aromatic hydrocarbon oxides having a molecular weight of 300 to 1000 at a content of 60 wt.% or more.