Electrode Mixture Layer Molten Salt Polymer Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion secondary batteries face challenges with the inflexibility of inorganic solid electrolytes, which hinder the formation of a stable interface with electrode active materials, leading to decreased battery characteristics when attempting to enhance ionic conductivity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polymer with a specific structural unit, an electrolyte salt, and a molten salt with a melting point of 250°C or less into the electrode mixture layer, forming a good interface between the electrode active material and the polymer, thereby improving battery characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inorganic solid electrolyte is added to enhance ionic conductivity, then interface formability improves, but electrode active material ratio decreases and battery characteristics worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface formabilityVSAvoidbattery characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining polymer electrolyte (providing flexibility and interface conformability) with inorganic solid electrolyte particles (providing high ionic conductivity). This composite structure allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve good interface formability and maintain high battery characteristics by distributing functions across different material components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameters of inorganic solid electrolyte (0.1-10 μm diameter) and their concentration in the electrode mixture layer (1-50 wt%) to balance interface formability and electrode active material content. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves effective interface contact without excessive electrolyte addition that would reduce active material ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If inorganic solid electrolyte is used to improve ionic conductivity, then electrolyte stability improves, but flexibility decreases and interface adaptation to voids worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte stabilityVSAvoidinterface adaptation to voids

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs polymer electrolyte as a flexible matrix that can deform and adapt to the irregular shapes of electrode voids and particles. This flexible polymer base provides the adaptability needed to conform to electrode topography while maintaining electrolyte stability through the addition of inorganic solid electrolyte particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer electrolyte acts as an intermediary material between the inorganic solid electrolyte particles and the electrode active material. It provides a flexible bonding matrix that enables stable interface formation while allowing the inorganic particles to contribute their high ionic conductivity without compromising adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enhances the ionic conductivity and battery characteristics by forming a stable interface within the electrode mixture layer, even when a solid electrolyte is added, improving the overall performance of lithium ion secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing the ionic conductivity of the electrode mixture layer has been investigated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a molten salt having a melting point of 250° C. or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS11462767B2Electrochemical device electrode. method for producing electrochemical device electrode and electrochemical device

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an electrochemical device electrode comprising an electrode current collector and an electrode mixture layer provided on at least one principal surface of the electrode current collector, wherein the electrode mixture layer comprises an electrode active material, a polymer having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1), at least one electrolyte salt selected from the group consisting of lithium salts, sodium salts, calcium salts, and magnesium salts, and a molten salt having a melting point of 250° C. or less:wherein X− represents a counter anion.