Electroosmotic Cathode Material Drying for Residual Water Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical dehydration methods are insufficient for completely removing water from cathode active materials, leading to residual lithium formation and performance degradation in lithium-nickel composite metal oxides, which can cause battery inflation and explosion risks.
Innovation Solution
A cathode active material dehydration apparatus using electroosmosis applies an electric field to the cathode active material after mechanical dehydration to remove residual water through electroosmosis, potentially combined with heating or mechanical force to enhance dehydration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical dehydration method is used to remove water from cathode active material, then dehydration process is simple, but residual water remains and dehydration time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dehydration method with an electroosmosis-based dehydration system. The electroosmosis apparatus applies an electric field to drive water molecules out of the cathode active material through electroosmotic flow, substituting mechanical force with electrical field action to achieve more effective and faster dehydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dehydration parameter from mechanical force to electric field strength. By controlling the voltage applied in the electroosmosis process, the dehydration efficiency can be adjusted and optimized, enabling complete removal of residual water that mechanical methods cannot achieve.
2Device complexity
If mechanical dehydration method is used, then equipment structure is simple, but residual water remains and causes Li to escape and react with water and CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical dehydration with electroosmosis to achieve more complete water removal. This substitution prevents residual water from causing Li escape and subsequent harmful reactions with water and CO2, thereby improving battery safety and performance without significantly complicating the equipment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of residual water into a beneficial dehydration process by using electroosmosis. The electric field drives water out of the material structure, transforming the potential harm of trapped water into a controlled removal process that prevents subsequent safety issues.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical dehydration is used, then dehydration process is straightforward, but moisture content remains high and requires additional heat treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical dehydration with electroosmosis to achieve lower moisture content. The electroosmotic process effectively removes water from the cathode active material at the molecular level, reducing moisture content to levels that eliminate the need for additional heat treatment while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
Effectively removes residual water, reduces dehydration time, maintains the structural integrity of the cathode active material, and prevents lithium-related issues, thereby enhancing battery safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
applying an electric field to the cathode active material to remove, through electroosmosis, a washing solution remaining in the cathode active material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a cathode active material dehydration apparatus using electroosmosis, the dehydration apparatus accommodating a cathode active material that has passed through a washing process, and applying an electric field to the cathode active material to remove, through electroosmosis, a washing solution remaining in the cathode active material.