Electrode Plate Softener Composition for High-Compaction Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries through higher compaction density of electrode plates is hindered by reduced flexibility, leading to cracking during processing, which decreases yield and machinability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a softener with specific diblock or triblock copolymer structures, such as polyether-polyamide-polyether block copolymers, into the active material layer to enhance flexibility without compromising cohesion, allowing for higher compaction densities without cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the compaction density of the electrode plate is increased to improve energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the flexibility of the electrode plate decreases, leading to cracking during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a softener component with specific molecular structure (polyether-polyamide-polyether block copolymer) to change the physical parameters of the electrode plate. This softener modifies the mechanical properties by reducing intermolecular forces between active material particles, thereby improving flexibility and machinability while maintaining high compaction density and energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating the softener (diblock or triblock copolymer) into the electrode plate matrix alongside the active material. This composite approach allows the softener to act as a molecular lubricant and flexibility enhancer while the active material maintains its energy-storing function, resolving the contradiction between density and flexibility
2Quantity of substance
If the compaction density of the electrode plate is increased to improve energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the machinability decreases due to cracking during winding process
Solution Approach 1:
The softener component changes the mechanical parameters of the electrode plate by reducing particle-particle adhesion forces through its polyether segments, which provide molecular-level lubrication. This enables the electrode to withstand winding and processing operations at high compaction densities without cracking, thereby improving machinability while preserving energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The softener acts as an intermediary substance between the active material particles and the processing equipment. It mediates the interaction by providing a flexible interface that absorbs stress during winding and processing, preventing direct transmission of mechanical stresses that would cause cracking in high-density electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode plate, which includes a current collector and an active material layer arranged on at least one surface of the current collector. The active material layer includes an electrode active material and a softener. The softener includes one or more of A diblock copolymer A-B and a triblock copolymer A-B-A, where block A includes a polyether segment, and block B includes one or more of a polyamide segment, a polyvinylpyrrolidone segment and a polyacrylonitrile segment.