Lithium-Aluminum Alloy Anode Structure for Stable Low-Temperature Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-aqueous electrolyte batteries face challenges in maintaining excellent high-temperature storage characteristics and load characteristics at low temperatures, with existing additives interfering with discharge reactions and increasing internal resistance.
Innovation Solution
The battery features a negative electrode with a lithium layer, a lithium-aluminum alloy layer formed on the lithium layer, and a carbon layer on the lithium-aluminum alloy layer, manufactured by layering an aluminum layer on the lithium layer, forming the carbon layer, and reacting the lithium and aluminum layers to form the alloy layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additive such as propane sultone or lithium bis(oxalate)borate is used in the electrolyte to suppress the reaction between electrolyte and electrode at high temperature, then the battery swelling is suppressed, but a coating formed on the electrode surface interferes with the discharge reaction, increasing internal resistance and reducing discharge characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The negative electrode is segmented into three distinct layers: a lithium layer, a lithium-aluminum alloy layer, and a carbon layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the lithium layer provides lithium ions, the alloy layer suppresses electrolyte decomposition without forming insulating coatings, and the carbon layer prevents direct contact between electrolyte and lithium. By dividing the electrode structure, the patent achieves both high-temperature storage stability and good discharge characteristics without the internal resistance increase caused by additive coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The lithium-aluminum alloy layer acts as an intermediary between the lithium layer and the electrolyte. Instead of using electrolyte additives that form coatings on the electrode surface, the patent introduces this intermediate alloy layer that performs the protective function. The alloy layer suppresses the decomposition of the electrolyte and prevents battery swelling without interfering with the discharge reaction, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of storage stability and discharge performance.
2Temperature
If the battery is stored at high temperature, then the reaction between electrolyte and electrode occurs, but this leads to battery swelling and deterioration of storage characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The lithium-aluminum alloy layer and carbon layer are formed on the lithium layer before the battery is put into service. These layers preemptively prevent the harmful reaction between the electrolyte and the lithium electrode at high temperatures. The alloy layer suppresses electrolyte decomposition, and the carbon layer provides an additional protective barrier, thus preventing battery swelling before it can occur during high-temperature storage.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses deterioration in high-temperature storage and enhances load characteristics at low temperatures, such as -40°C, by minimizing internal resistance and maintaining discharge voltage.
Implementation Method 1
causing the lithium layer and the aluminum layer to react with each other in order to form the lithium-aluminum alloy layer on the surface of the lithium layer
Data Source
AI summary
The non-aqueous electrolyte battery is excellent in high-temperature storage characteristics and load characteristics at low temperature. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a lithium layer, a lithium-aluminum alloy layer formed on a surface of the lithium layer, and a carbon layer on the lithium-aluminum alloy layer. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention can be manufactured by a method for manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte battery that includes providing an aluminum layer on the surface of the lithium layer to obtain a laminate, forming the carbon layer on a surface of the aluminum layer to obtain a laminate for a negative electrode, and causing the lithium layer and the aluminum layer of the laminate for a negative electrode to react with each other to form the lithium-aluminum alloy layer.