Electrode Ink Production With Deaeration for Bubble Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The generation of bubbles during the production of electrode ink, particularly when increasing the proportion of water in the solvent, leads to degraded electrode performance due to the difficulty in removing the mixture and the formation of large cavities, which affects the adsorption of polymer materials on conductive particles and increases proton resistance.
Innovation Solution
A deaerating step is introduced to remove soluble gases more soluble in organic solvents than nitrogen, followed by a kneading process in an atmosphere of a low-solubility gas, such as helium or hydrogen, to prevent bubble formation and maintain a higher water proportion in the solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the proportion of water in the solvent is increased, then the adsorption of polymer material on conductive particles is improved, but bubble generation increases and mixture viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing deaeration on the solvent before mixing with feedstocks. The deaeration step removes dissolved gases from the solvent in advance, preventing bubble formation during subsequent mixing operations. This allows the solvent to have high water content for improved polymer material adsorption without generating harmful bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an inert atmosphere approach by conducting the mixing operation in a nitrogen-filled environment. The nitrogen atmosphere prevents atmospheric gases from dissolving in the solvent during mixing, thereby preventing bubble generation while allowing high water proportion in the solvent for improved adsorption performance
2Reliability
If the proportion of water in the solvent is increased, then the adsorption of polymer material on conductive particles is improved, but the mixture becomes more viscous and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs deaeration as a preliminary action before mixing, removing dissolved gases that would otherwise increase viscosity during mixing. This preliminary gas removal allows the mixture to maintain lower viscosity despite high water content, making it easier to handle and remove while still achieving improved polymer material adsorption
3Reliability
If the concentration of organic solvent is decreased, then proton resistance is reduced, but bubble generation increases when water proportion is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary deaeration to the solvent before mixing, removing dissolved gases that would form bubbles during mixing. This allows the formulation to use lower organic solvent concentration (reducing proton resistance) while preventing bubble generation through advance gas removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nitrogen atmosphere during mixing to prevent atmospheric gas dissolution, thereby preventing bubble generation. This enables the formulation to decrease organic solvent concentration for reduced proton resistance without the harmful effect of bubble generation
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
This method effectively suppresses bubble generation, enhancing the adsorption of polymer materials on conductive particles and reducing proton resistance, thereby improving electrode performance.
Implementation Method 1
a deaerating step of removing a soluble gas that is more soluble in an organic solvent than nitrogen from each of first feedstock containing a conductive particle, second feedstock containing a polymer material, and a solvent containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent
Implementation Method 2
a kneading step of mixing the first feedstock from which the soluble gas has been removed, the second feedstock, and the solvent, wherein the kneading step is performed in an atmosphere of a low-solubility gas that is less soluble in the organic solvent than nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
performed in an atmosphere of a low-solubility gas that is less soluble in the organic solvent than nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing an electrode ink includes a deaerating step of removing a soluble gas that is more soluble in alcohol than nitrogen from each of first feedstock containing a conductive particle, second feedstock containing a polymer material, and a solvent containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent, and a kneading step of mixing the first feedstock from which the soluble gas has been removed, the second feedstock, and the solvent, wherein the kneading step is performed in an atmosphere of a low-solubility gas that is less soluble in alcohol than nitrogen.