Electrode-Integrated Separator With Inorganic Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium secondary battery separators face issues with insufficient adhesion to electrodes, thermal instability, and low insulating characteristics, leading to potential micro-scale short circuits and reduced lifespan.

Innovation Solution

An electrode-integrated separator for lithium secondary batteries is developed, comprising a porous layer with a polymer binder and inorganic fine particles of varying green densities, which forms a dense pore structure and high tortuosity to enhance insulation and minimize defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a separator including a substrate and an inorganic coating layer is used, then thermal stability is improved, but adhesion force to electrodes is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidadhesion force
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a polyolefin substrate combined with an inorganic coating layer containing alumina and boehmite particles. This composite material approach allows the separator to simultaneously achieve thermal stability from the inorganic coating and adequate adhesion through the substrate-electrode interface, resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and adhesion force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If only an inorganic coating film is used without substrate, then adhesion force is improved, but insulating characteristics and mechanical strength are significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion forceVSAvoidinsulating characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material system where the inorganic coating layer (alumina and boehmite) is applied on top of a polyolefin substrate. This composite structure provides both the adhesion benefits of the inorganic layer and the insulating properties of the substrate, eliminating the vulnerability to internal short circuits while maintaining strong electrode adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different materials with specific properties to different regions/layers: the polyolefin substrate provides bulk insulating properties and mechanical strength, while the inorganic coating layer at the electrode interface provides adhesion force. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between adhesion and insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If polyolefin substrate is used, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal stability is reduced due to melting at high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite separator where the polyolefin substrate provides mechanical strength and the inorganic coating layer (alumina and boehmite) provides thermal stability. The inorganic particles have high melting points that prevent separator failure at elevated temperatures while the polyolefin matrix maintains structural integrity and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 separator exhibits excellent insulation properties, low resistance, and high ionic conductivity while reducing the occurrence of defects, thereby improving the safety and performance of lithium secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a porous layer stacked on an electrode substrate, wherein the porous layer comprises a polymer binder and inorganic fine particles dispersed within the polymer binder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

The separator exhibits excellent insulation properties, low resistance, and high ionic conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4625669A1Electrode-integrated separator for lithium secondary battery and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP4625669A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4625669A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4625669A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electrode-integrated separator for lithium secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same. According to the present disclosure, the electrode-integrated separator for lithium secondary battery that can exhibit excellent insulation properties while minimizing the occurrence of defect, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided.