Lithium-Ion Electrode Protective Layer Deposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting electrodes in lithium-ion batteries result in loss of energy density due to incomplete coverage and lack of depth in the protective layer deposition, which fails to maintain high energy density properties while preventing secondary reactions and metal dissolution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the deposition of a protective layer on the electrode after drying but before calendering, utilizing techniques like ALD or CVD to ensure uniform coverage and penetration within the electrode's porosity, maintaining electronic conduction and preventing secondary reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a protective layer is deposited on the electrode after drying but before calendering, then the coverage and penetration of the protective layer is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is deposited on the electrode before the calendering step, while the electrode structure is still in its dried, porous state. This preliminary deposition allows the protective layer to penetrate and cover the active material more effectively before the structure is densified by calendering, thereby improving coverage without requiring additional post-calendering deposition steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If the protective layer is deposited by ALD or CVD techniques, then the uniformity and depth of coverage is improved, but the manufacturing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is maintained in its porous dried state during protective layer deposition, allowing ALD or CVD techniques to penetrate deeper and achieve more uniform coverage throughout the electrode structure. The porous architecture enables better access of deposition precursors to the active material surfaces, improving uniformity while the single deposition step keeps time consumption manageable.
3Reliability
If the protective layer thickness is increased to prevent secondary reactions, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the energy density of the electrode decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By depositing the protective layer on the porous dried electrode structure, the coating penetrates and covers the active material throughout the electrode thickness. This enables effective protection with thinner overall layer thickness compared to surface-only deposition on calendered electrodes, thereby maintaining energy density while ensuring comprehensive protection against secondary reactions and metal dissolution.
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 coverage and contact between the active material and conductive additives, maintaining high energy density while preventing secondary reactions and metal dissolution, thus improving the electrode's performance and lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The protective layer thus fulfills the role of: prevent side reactions between the cathode and the electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
trap undesirable species resulting from the degradation of the electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
suppress the dissolution of transition metals present in the active material of the cathode
Implementation Method 4
the deposition is generally carried out by PVD (physical vapor deposition)
Implementation Method 5
drying of the ink
Data Source
Figure 1~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing an electrode for a secondary battery, said method comprising the following steps: deposition of an ink comprising at least one active electrode material on a substrate; drying of the ink; deposition of a protective layer on the previously dried ink; and calendering of the electrode formed in this way.