Ion-Conductive Electrode Material for Peel Strength and Capacity Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode materials in lithium ion batteries suffer from insufficient adhesion to other members, leading to poor peel strength, and incorporating polymers to improve this results in low alkali metal ion transference numbers and reduced capacity retention rates.

Innovation Solution

An electrode material comprising an electrode active material and a polymer that preferentially conducts metal ions, with a volume ratio of the polymer to the total volume of 0.01 to 0.65, enhancing peel strength and capacity retention by optimizing the polymer content and composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a polymer is incorporated to improve peel strength, then adhesion to other members is improved, but transference number of alkali metal ions becomes low and capacity retention rate is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeel strengthVSAvoidcapacity retention rate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) that can interact with metal ions. This modifies the polymer's properties to simultaneously improve adhesion while maintaining ion conductivity, resolving the contradiction between peel strength and capacity retention rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining the polymer binder with metal ions (lithium, sodium, or potassium ions). The polymer contains functional groups that specifically interact with these metal ions, forming a composite structure that provides both strong adhesion and high ion transference number, thus improving both peel strength and capacity retention rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If polymer content is increased to improve adhesion, then peel strength is improved, but ion flow uniformity deteriorates and capacity retention rate is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeel strengthVSAvoidion flow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces functional groups at specific locations within the polymer structure that have high affinity for metal ions. These localized functional groups create regions of enhanced ion interaction without requiring high overall polymer content, thus maintaining ion flow uniformity while providing sufficient adhesion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration and distribution of functional groups within the polymer to achieve optimal ion flow characteristics. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent ensures uniform ion flow while maintaining adequate adhesion properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides improved peel strength and capacity retention rates in lithium ion batteries by ensuring high alkali metal ion transference numbers through the use of a polymer with specific volume and mass ratios, thereby enhancing battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer having an ability to preferentially conduct metal ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4601043A1Electrode material, positive electrode material, negative electrode material, positive electrode, negative electrode and battery
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SUMITOMO CHEM CO LTD
  • EP4601043A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4601043A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4601043A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electrode material containing an electrode active material and a polymer having an ability to preferentially conduct metal ions, in which a volume ratio of the polymer to a total volume of the electrode active material and the polymer is 0.01 to 0.65.