Graphene Electrode Coating Ink for Delaying Battery Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing graphene-based coating ink compositions face challenges in mass production, environmental sustainability, and cost due to the use of acids and complex processes, while existing solutions for preventing thermal runaway in lithium secondary batteries require additional heat-absorbing additives that are inconvenient to implement.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a coating ink composition using graphene nanoplatelets or non-oxidized graphene, where expandable graphite is processed through thermal plasma to create graphene nanoplatelets, mixed with a polymer and solvent, and homogenized to form a stable ink, which is then applied to electrodes to delay thermal runaway without the need for additional reduction processes or acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If CVD graphene is produced by chemical vapor deposition, then large-area high-quality graphene is obtained, but mass production is difficult and the process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the production parameters from CVD method to expandable graphite thermal expansion method, using temperature control (rapid heating to high temperature) and atmosphere control (inert gas) to transform graphite into graphene nanoplatelets, achieving both high quality and mass production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex CVD mechanical system with a simpler thermal expansion system, where expandable graphite is rapidly heated in an inert atmosphere to expand and form graphene nanoplatelets directly, eliminating the need for metal substrate deposition processes
2Productivity
If graphene flakes are mass-produced at low cost, then production cost is reduced, but dispersibility and performance are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the production method to thermal expansion of expandable graphite, which produces nanoplatelets with controlled size and shape parameters that inherently possess better dispersibility while maintaining mass production capability and low cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates graphene nanoplatelets with specific local structural qualities (nanoscale thickness, controlled lateral size) that enhance dispersibility in coating compositions while maintaining the advantages of mass production
3Reliability
If graphite oxide is exfoliated and chemically modified, then graphene ink composition is obtained, but production cost and time increase due to multiple processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential step of thermal expansion to convert expandable graphite to graphene nanoplatelets, eliminating the time-consuming steps of oxidation, exfoliation, and chemical modification required in conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary preparation by using pre-synthesized expandable graphite as starting material, which already has the necessary structural characteristics to expand directly into graphene nanoplatelets without requiring prior oxidation or exfoliation steps
4Object-generated harmful factors
If expandable graphite is used as starting material, then environmentally friendly non-oxidized graphene is obtained, but new processing method is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of complex processing into benefit by using a simple thermal expansion process that avoids all the harmful chemicals (acids, oxidants) of conventional methods, proving that simplicity can eliminate environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable graphite material itself contains the necessary structure to transform into graphene nanoplatelets through thermal expansion alone, requiring no external chemical agents or complex processing equipment, making the process inherently environmentally friendly
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 method enables cost-effective, environmentally friendly mass production of graphene-based coatings that improve viscosity, dispersion stability, and electrical conductivity, effectively preventing thermal runaway in lithium secondary batteries by using a simple and efficient process.
Implementation Method 1
preparing graphene nanoplatelets using thermal plasma
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium secondary battery for thermal runaway delay, includes an electrode coated with a coating ink prepared by the method The method of preparing a coating ink composition uses expandable graphite (EG) as a starting material to obtain non-oxidized graphene, so there is no reduction process, no acid is used, and through a simple manufacturing process, manufacturing costs and times can be reduced while enabling mass-production and causing no environmental problems. Further, the coating ink composition prepared by the method of preparing the coating ink composition can improve properties such as viscosity, dispersion stability, electrical conductivity, and substrate adhesion of the ink by using a polymer as an additive. In addition, by coating the electrode of the secondary battery with the coating ink composition containing graphene nanoplatelets or non-oxidized graphene, thermal runaway due to overload of thermal energy generated within the secondary battery can be delayed and prevented.