Endothermic Electrode Layer for Thermal Runaway Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion secondary batteries face safety challenges in high-temperature environments due to uncontrolled heat flow and thermorunaway of active materials.
Innovation Solution
An electrode design featuring a current collector with an endothermic material layer that absorbs heat through dehydration decomposition, positioned between the current collector and active material layer, effectively suppressing heat flow and enhancing safety by using metal hydroxides like aluminum hydroxide, which exhibit high adhesion and non-flammability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an endothermic material layer is added between the current collector and active material layer, then heat absorption capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An endothermic material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the current collector and the active material layer. This intermediate layer absorbs heat through dehydration decomposition, preventing direct heat transfer to the active material and suppressing thermorunaway, thereby improving safety without fundamentally changing the electrode's core structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is designed as a composite with multiple functional layers: the current collector, the endothermic material layer (containing metal hydroxides like aluminum hydroxide), and the active material layer. This composite structure combines the heat-absorbing properties of the endothermic material with the electrochemical functionality of the active material, achieving both safety and performance.
2Reliability
If the endothermic material layer thickness is increased, then heat absorption capability is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness of the endothermic material layer is optimized within a specific range (10-50 nm) to balance heat absorption capability and electrical conductivity. This parameter optimization ensures that the layer is thick enough to effectively absorb heat and suppress thermorunaway, while remaining thin enough to maintain sufficient electrical conductivity for electrode operation.
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 electrode design significantly improves the safety of lithium-ion secondary batteries in high-temperature environments by efficiently absorbing heat and preventing thermorunaway of active materials, ensuring safer operation.
Implementation Method 1
the endothermic material absorbs heat by dehydration decomposition
Implementation Method 2
the endothermic material absorbs heat by dehydration decomposition
Implementation Method 3
excellent adhesion is achieved between the current collector and the active material layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode is provided as one capable of achieving further improvement in safety of an electrochemical device when exposed to a high-temperature environment, and an electrochemical device is provided as one using the electrode. The electrode has a current collector, an endothermic material layer provided on the current collector, and an active material layer provided on the endothermic material layer. The endothermic material layer contains an endothermic material absorbing heat at 80° C. or higher in a differential scanning calorimetry curve thereof.