Electrolytic Copper Foil Curl Control via Nickel Ion Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of thin electrolytic copper foils for secondary batteries is hindered by curling, tearing, and wrinkling issues, which complicate the production of high-capacity, high-efficiency batteries.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating nickel ions into the electrolyte during the electrolytic copper foil manufacturing process, with concentrations ranging from 50 ppm to 350 ppm, to control curling and improve the foil's physical properties without altering the amount of additives used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the thickness of copper foil is reduced to increase battery capacity, then the number of current collectors that can be accommodated increases, but curls are generated and defects such as tears or wrinkles appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by adding nickel ions at specific concentrations (50-350 ppm) to modify the deposition characteristics of copper foil. This parameter change suppresses curling and improves flatness without requiring adjustment of organic compound additives, enabling production of thinner foils with better dimensional control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining copper ions, nickel ions, and organic compound-based additives. The nickel ions work synergistically with the existing additives to control curling and improve foil flatness, allowing the use of thinner copper foils without generating defects
2Manufacturing precision
If organic compound-based additives are adjusted to suppress curling, then curling property improves, but the amount of additives must be adjusted which complicates process management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the curl control function from the organic compound additives by introducing nickel ions as a separate, dedicated component. This allows curling suppression to be achieved through nickel ion concentration control alone, without needing to adjust the amounts of multiple organic additives, thereby simplifying process management
Solution Approach 2:
The nickel ions act as an intermediary substance that mediates between the electrolyte composition and the copper foil deposition characteristics. By controlling nickel ion concentration, the patent achieves curl control without directly manipulating the organic compound additives, simplifying the manufacturing process
3Manufacturing precision
If arsenic-containing gloss agents are used to improve curling property, then physical properties improve, but arsenic acid handling becomes problematic due to toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic arsenic-containing substances with nickel ions, which are less hazardous and can be handled more safely. The nickel ions provide the same curl control function without the severe toxicity and handling restrictions associated with arsenic acid, eliminating the harmful factor while maintaining the beneficial effect
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 addition of nickel ions effectively suppresses curling in the copper foil, reducing curl measurement values to 12 mm or less, and enhances the foil's quality, making it suitable for high-performance secondary battery applications.
Implementation Method 1
preparing an electrolyte containing copper ion and nickel ion by dissolving copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) in sulfuric acid; and forming a copper layer by supplying an electric current to a positive plate and a negative electrode rotating drum disposed apart from each other in the electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
forming a copper layer by supplying an electric current to a positive plate and a negative electrode rotating drum disposed apart from each other in the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an electrolytic copper foil according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: preparing an electrolyte containing copper ion and nickel ion by dissolving copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) in sulfuric acid; and forming a copper layer by supplying an electric current to a positive plate and a negative electrode rotating drum disposed apart from each other in the electrolyte. The concentration of the nickel ion is 50 ppm to 350 ppm.