LDH-like compound separator for zinc dendrite prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary zinc batteries face short circuits due to zinc dendrite penetration through conventional separators, which reduces their service life, and existing LDH separators provide only partial prevention.

Innovation Solution

An LDH-like compound separator with a porous polymeric substrate filled with a hydroxide ion-conductive LDH-like compound, enhancing alkali resistance and densification to prevent zinc dendrite penetration, achieved by using a hydroxide ion-conductive substance instead of conventional LDHs and ensuring high linear transmittance and ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional separators are used in secondary zinc batteries, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but zinc dendrites penetrate through the separator causing short circuits and reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidseparator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite separator structure consisting of a porous substrate (polymer, metal, or ceramic) combined with an LDH-like compound coating. This composite structure provides both mechanical integrity from the substrate and dendrite-blocking functionality from the LDH-like compound layer, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous substrates with controlled pore sizes and distributions as the base structure of the separator. The porous structure allows ion transport while the LDH-like compound filling or coating the pores provides dendrite resistance, achieving both good ion conductivity and high reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If LDH separators are used to prevent zinc dendrite penetration, then short circuit prevention is improved, but alkali resistance is insufficient and service life is still reduced

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 separator by using LDH-like compounds with specific metal element ratios (M2+/M3+ ratio controlled at 1.33-2.0) and specific crystal structures. These parameter changes enhance both dendrite resistance and alkali resistance simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between short circuit prevention and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies LDH-like compounds with locally optimized compositions to different regions or aspects of the separator functionality. The compound provides dendrite-blocking properties at the pore interfaces while maintaining alkali resistance in the bulk structure, achieving both short circuit prevention and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the separator is densified to block zinc dendrites, then dendrite penetration is prevented, but hydroxide ion conductivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedendrite blockingVSAvoidhydroxide ion conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses porous substrates with optimized pore structures as the foundation of the separator. The porous structure maintains channels for hydroxide ion transport while the LDH-like compound filling or coating the pores provides dendrite blocking, achieving both high ion conductivity and effective dendrite prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite separator where the porous substrate provides ion transport pathways and the LDH-like compound provides dendrite blocking. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing ions to pass through the porous network while blocking dendrite penetration at the pore interfaces.

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-like compound separator effectively prevents short circuits by densifying the substrate, ensuring high alkali resistance and efficient hydroxide ion conductivity, thereby extending the service life of secondary zinc batteries.

Implementation Method 1

layered double hydroxide (LDH) separators that selectively permeate hydroxide ions while blocking the penetration of zinc dendrites

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

LDH-like compound separator...pores of a polymeric porous substrate are filled with the LDH-like compound to densify...capable of suppressing short circuits due to zinc dendrites

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier effect: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20230198095A1LDH-like compound separator and zinc secondary battery

Publication Date: 2023.06.22 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

Provided is an LDH-like compound separator that includes a porous substrate made of a polymer material and a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound plugging pores in the porous substrate, and has a linear transmittance of 1% or more at a wavelength of 1000 nm.