LDH Separator Composition for Zinc Dendrite Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Zinc secondary batteries face issues with short circuits due to zinc dendrites penetrating through separators, and existing LDH separators do not provide sufficient alkali resistance and hydroxide ion conductivity in strongly alkaline electrolytes.

Innovation Solution

An LDH-like compound with a layered crystal structure containing Ti, Y, and optionally Al and/or Mg, along with additive elements In, Bi, Ca, Sr, or Ba, is used to fill the pores of a porous substrate, creating a separator that inhibits zinc dendrite penetration and maintains high alkali resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional LDH separators are used to prevent zinc dendrite penetration, then short circuit prevention is improved, but alkali resistance and hydroxide ion conductivity deteriorate in strongly alkaline electrolytes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidalkali resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the LDH material by incorporating specific ratios of Mg, Al, Ti, and Y elements, along with controlled amounts of In, Bi, Ca, Sr, or Ba additives. This compositional parameter optimization enables the separator to maintain both dendrite blocking capability and stability in strongly alkaline electrolytes (pH 14).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite LDH material system combining multiple metal hydroxides/oxides (Mg, Al, Ti, Y) with specific additive elements (In, Bi, Ca, Sr, Ba). This composite structure synergistically provides both the physical barrier function for dendrite prevention and the chemical stability required for high alkali resistance and hydroxide ion conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 LDH separator effectively prevents short circuits and maintains conductivity for hydroxide ions, even in strongly alkaline conditions, ensuring efficient charge/discharge reactions and inhibiting zinc dendrite growth.

Implementation Method 1

a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound that fills up pores of the porous substrate... which inhibits a short circuit caused by zinc dendrite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical blocking: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

maintains conductivity for hydroxide ions, even in strongly alkaline conditions... high hydroxide ion conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

it is desirable for the LDH to have a high degree of alkali resistance, such that it hardly deteriorates even in such a strongly alkaline electrolytic solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlkali resistance: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12573719B2LDH separator and zinc secondary battery

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

There is provided an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound that fills up pores of the porous substrate. The LDH-like compound is a hydroxide and/or an oxide with a layered crystal structure, containing (i) Ti, Y, and optionally Al and/or Mg, and (ii) at least one additive element M selected from the group consisting of In, Bi, Ca, Sr, and Ba.