Integrated Electrode Assembly with 3-Phase Separation Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face challenges in improving energy density, safety, and ionic conductivity, particularly due to issues with separator contraction leading to short-circuiting and thermal runaway, and existing all-solid-state batteries have low ionic conductivity and reduced capacity.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electrode assembly with a 3-phase separation layer containing a liquid-phase component with ionic salt, a solid-phase component, and a polymer matrix that flows into the electrodes during assembly, enhancing wetting and ionic conductivity while preventing separator contraction and providing high-temperature safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid electrolyte or polymer electrolyte is used, then safety is improved, but ionic conductivity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining solid-phase components (for safety and structural stability) with liquid-phase components (for high ionic conductivity). This composite approach allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve the safety benefits of solid electrolytes and the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different regions within the electrolyte with different properties: the solid-phase components provide safety and structural integrity in certain regions, while liquid-phase components provide high ionic conductivity in other regions. This local differentiation allows each phase to optimize its function, resolving the contradiction between safety and ionic conductivity.
2Reliability
If a stretched separator is used, then safety is improved, but thermal runaway occurs due to separator contraction at high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite separator structure combining solid-phase components (providing thermal stability and contraction resistance) with liquid-phase components (maintaining flexibility and ion transport). This composite structure prevents the separator from contracting at high temperatures, eliminating thermal runaway while maintaining safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the separator by incorporating solid-phase components with high thermal stability and liquid-phase components with appropriate viscosity and ionic conductivity. This parameter modification allows the separator to maintain its dimensions and functionality at elevated temperatures, preventing thermal runaway.
3Quantity of substance
If large-area electrodes are used, then energy density is improved, but wetting uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrolyte parameters by incorporating liquid-phase components with optimized viscosity and surface tension properties. These parameter changes enable the electrolyte to uniformly wet large-area electrodes, ensuring consistent ion transport across the entire electrode surface while maintaining high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that the electrolyte composition and properties are optimized locally at the electrode-electrolyte interface to achieve uniform wetting across the entire large-area electrode. The liquid-phase components are distributed uniformly to ensure consistent contact and ion transport throughout the large electrode area.
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 solution effectively prevents short-circuiting and thermal runaway, increases ionic conductivity, and improves battery performance by ensuring uniform electrolyte impregnation and mechanical stability, addressing the limitations of existing battery technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid-phase component containing an ionic salt, which partially flows from the separation layer into the electrodes (i.e., the cathode and the anode) during preparation of the integrated electrode assembly to greatly improve wetting properties of the electrodes and to increase ionic conductivity of the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a polymer matrix having affinity for the liquid-phase component and providing binding force with the cathode and the anode
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an integrated electrode assembly including a cathode, an anode, and a separation layer integrated between the cathode and the anode. The separation layer includes 3 phases including a liquid-phase component containing an ionic salt, which partially flows from the separation layer into the cathode and the anode during preparation of the integrated electrode assembly to increase ionic conductivity of the cathode and the anode, a solid-phase component supporting the separation layer between the cathode and the anode, and a polymer matrix having affinity for the liquid-phase component and providing binding force with the cathode and the anode.