Layered Negative Electrode for Uniform Lithium Growth in Solid-State Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing all-solid-state batteries face challenges in achieving uniform growth of the lithium metal layer during charge and discharge, which affects ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties.
Innovation Solution
A negative electrode structure comprising a negative electrode current collector, a coating layer with carbon and a first metal, and a functional layer with a lithiophilic second metal, enhancing uniform lithium metal layer growth and ionic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional negative electrode structure is used, then the battery structure is simple, but the lithium metal layer growth is non-uniform and ionic conductivity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The negative electrode is segmented into multiple functional layers: a current collector, a coating layer containing carbon and first metal, and a functional layer containing second metal. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the coating layer provides structural support and conductivity, while the functional layer promotes uniform lithium deposition, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and lithium layer uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The negative electrode employs composite materials in its layered structure. The coating layer combines carbon with first metal (such as silver, aluminum, or zinc), and the functional layer contains second metal (such as bismuth, tin, or indium). These composite materials work synergistically to enhance both the structural integrity and the uniformity of lithium metal layer growth, addressing the reliability issue without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If lithiophilic metals are used to promote uniform lithium growth, then ionic conductivity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimized thickness ranges for each layer to balance manufacturing feasibility with performance. The functional layer thickness is controlled at 1-10 μm and the coating layer at 10-50 μm. These parameter specifications ensure sufficient lithiophilic metal content for uniform lithium growth and good ionic conductivity, while maintaining thickness values that are achievable with conventional manufacturing techniques, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and manufacturing precision requirements.
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 proposed structure promotes uniform lithium metal layer growth, improving electrochemical properties and ionic conductivity in all-solid-state batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The forming of the functional layer includes performing a sputtering process to form (e.g., deposit) a second metal on the first surface of the negative electrode current collector
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first metal and the second metal includes at least one lithiophilic element selected from among silver (Ag), gold (Au), magnesium (Mg), indium (In), titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), and/or zinc (Zn)
Data Source
AI summary
A negative electrode and an all-solid-state batteries including the negative electrode are provided. A negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector, a coating layer comprising carbon and a first metal on the negative electrode current collector, and a functional layer between the negative electrode current collector and the coating layer. The functional layer includes a second metal. Each of the first metal and the second metal includes at least one lithiophilic element selected from among silver (Ag), gold (Au), magnesium (Mg), indium (In), titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), and/or zinc (Zn).