Laser-Treated Lithium Surface for Dendrite-Resistant Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing lithium dendrite formation in electrochemical cells, such as those described in EP-A-3 442 055 and KR 20170014216, create geometric patterns that act as preferential sites for dendrite growth, leading to cell instability and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A laser beam irradiation method is applied to the entire surface of a lithium strip or film under controlled atmosphere, without creating geometric patterns, using non-linear trajectories and a controlled atmosphere to modify the surface structure and chemistry, forming a protective passivation layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If geometric patterns are created on the lithium surface using laser treatment, then surface uniformity is improved, but dendrite formation is promoted due to edge effects at the pattern intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam path is segmented into multiple overlapping linear trajectories that cover the entire surface without forming discrete geometric patterns. The trajectories are spaced closer than the focal spot diameter, creating continuous coverage that eliminates the edge effects and preferential sites for dendrite growth while still modifying the surface morphology uniformly.
2Reliability
If the entire surface area is irradiated with laser beam, then dendrite formation is reduced or eliminated, but the processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam continuously irradiates the entire surface area of the lithium strip without interruption or pause for pattern formation. The continuous linear trajectories ensure that every point on the surface receives laser treatment, maintaining continuous useful action that prevents dendrite formation while optimizing processing efficiency through uninterrupted beam movement.
3Area of moving object
If geometric patterns are created on the lithium surface, then surface area is increased, but interfacial resistance increases due to preferential dendrite growth sites
Solution Approach 1:
The laser treatment creates uniform local modifications across the entire surface without creating distinct geometric patterns. Each location on the surface receives equivalent laser energy density and treatment conditions, ensuring homogeneous surface properties that increase specific surface area uniformly while maintaining low interfacial resistance by eliminating preferential sites for dendrite growth.
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 method reduces or eliminates dendrite formation, increases the specific surface area, decreases interfacial resistance, and enhances the cycling lifetime of electrochemical cells by creating a protective passivation layer.
Implementation Method 1
a step of laser beam irradiation of at least a portion of a surface of said strip or film
Implementation Method 2
The irradiation step consists in irradiating with a laser beam the entire surface area of said at least one portion of the surface of said strip or film
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating a surface of a strip or film, the strip or film being made of lithium or a lithium-based alloy, the method comprising a step of radiating at least one portion of the surface of the strip or film with a laser beam, the radiating step being carried out in a controlled atmosphere, the laser beam radiating the entire area of the at least one portion of the surface of the strip or film.