Battery Current Collector Chelation Layer Against Aqueous Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aluminum and copper foils used as current collectors in electrochemical batteries are severely chemically corroded in aqueous electrolytes, leading to structural degradation and catastrophic battery failure.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electrochemical battery with a metal current collector, an electrolyte containing a metal chelator and a negatively charged metal salt, where the metal chelator forms an anti-corrosion layer by chelating with metal ions and the negative charge of the salt, preventing corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aluminum foil or copper foil is used as current collector in aqueous electrolyte, then safety and environmental friendliness are improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a metal chelator as an intermediary substance in the electrolyte that mediates between the aqueous electrolyte and the metal current collector. The chelator forms a protective complex layer on the metal surface, preventing direct contact and chemical reaction between the electrolyte and metal, thus resolving the contradiction between using safe aqueous electrolytes and maintaining corrosion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite protective layer on the metal current collector surface consisting of metal ions from the collector and chelator molecules from the electrolyte. This composite chelate structure combines the properties of both components to form a corrosion-resistant barrier while maintaining electrical conductivity, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve safety and corrosion protection
2Reliability
If conventional current collectors are used in aqueous electrolytes, then battery safety is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal chelator in the electrolyte performs preliminary action by proactively forming a protective chelate layer on the metal current collector surface before significant corrosion can occur. This pre-formed protective barrier prevents the electrolyte from attacking the metal structure, thereby maintaining structural stability while enabling the use of safe aqueous electrolytes
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 anti-corrosion layer significantly improves the corrosion resistance of the current collectors, enhancing battery efficiency and performance by forming an insoluble chelate that protects against aqueous electrolyte attack, with Phthalocyanine demonstrating up to 23 times better corrosion resistance compared to systems without the chelator.
Implementation Method 1
the metal chelator in the electrolyte is chelated with the metal ions of the metal current collector, or the metal chelator in the electrolyte is chelated with both the metal ions of the metal current collector and the negative charge of the negatively charged metal salt, to form an anti-corrosion layer on the metal current collector
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preventing corrosion of a battery current collector, comprising the steps of: providing an electrochemical battery comprising at least an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; wherein: the cathode comprises a metal current collector and the electrolyte comprises a metal chelator, a negatively charged metal salt, and a solvent; performing charge/discharge on the electrochemical battery; wherein, the metal chelator in the electrolyte and the metal ions of the metal current collector, or the metal chelator in the electrolyte is co-chelated with both the metal ions of the metal current collector and the negative charge of the negatively charged metal salt to form an anti-corrosion layer on the metal current collector; by adding a chelating electrolyte as a protective layer, the metal current collector can be protected from electrolyte corrosion and the electrodes maintain high conductivity, thereby improving the efficiency of the battery.