Lithium Anode Core with Conductive Metal Coating for Dendrite Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anode active materials for lithium batteries face challenges with low initial charge/discharge efficiency and discharge capacity due to lithium dendrite formation and rapid volume changes, especially when using lithium metal or alloys, and carbonaceous materials have limited enhancements.
Innovation Solution
An anode active material is developed with a metal core coated by a conductive metal material, which enhances electric capacity and conductivity, including a carbon-based coating layer with a conductive metal material to prevent lithium dendrite formation and improve charge/discharge efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal or lithium alloys are used as anode materials, then electric capacity is improved (2,000 mAh/g or more), but lithium dendrite formation and rapid volume change occur, causing safety issues and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite anode materials combining lithium metal particles with carbonaceous materials (graphite, amorphous carbon) and conductive metals (silver, aluminum). This composite structure provides high capacity from lithium metal while the carbon and conductive metal components prevent dendrite formation and accommodate volume changes, resolving the contradiction between capacity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials to different parts of the anode structure: lithium metal particles provide high capacity in specific regions, while carbonaceous coatings and conductive metal networks are distributed throughout to prevent dendrites and manage volume changes. This localized functional distribution resolves the capacity-reliability contradiction
2Reliability
If carbonaceous materials are used as anode materials, then safety and stability are improved (less expansion/contraction), but electric capacity is reduced (about 350 mAh/g)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite anode where carbonaceous materials provide structural stability and safety, while lithium metal particles dispersed within the carbon matrix provide high capacity. The conductive metal components enhance overall conductivity to support the high capacity utilization, resolving the contradiction between stability and capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the advantages of different materials: the structural stability of carbonaceous materials, the high capacity of lithium metal, and the conductivity of metal materials. This merging creates an integrated anode system that achieves both stability and high capacity simultaneously
3Reliability
If conventional composite anode materials are used (metal particulate surfaces coated with carbon particles), then lithium dendrite formation is prevented, but initial charge/discharge efficiency and discharge capacity remain restricted due to low conductivity of carbonaceous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a multi-component composite anode material that combines lithium metal particles, carbonaceous materials for dendrite prevention, and conductive metal materials (silver, aluminum) to enhance conductivity. This composite structure simultaneously achieves dendrite prevention and high charge/discharge efficiency by leveraging the complementary properties of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conductivity parameter of the anode material by incorporating conductive metals with resistivity of 5.5×10−8 Ωm or less. This parameter change transforms the anode from carbon-dominated (low conductivity) to metal-enhanced (high conductivity), enabling high initial charge/discharge efficiency while maintaining dendrite prevention capabilities
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 anode active material exhibits improved initial charge/discharge efficiency and discharge capacity, with the conductive metal material facilitating electron and ion transfer and alleviating volume changes during lithium intercalation and deintercalation, resulting in better battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive metal material may have a resistivity of 5.5×10−8 Ωm or less... the conductive metal material facilitating electron and ion transfer
Implementation Method 2
alleviating volume changes during lithium intercalation and deintercalation
Implementation Method 3
coating metal particulate surfaces with carbon particles, etc. to prevent lithium dendrite formation... a carbon-based coating layer with a conductive metal material to prevent lithium dendrite formation
Implementation Method 4
sintering the dried product to form a coating layer
Data Source
AI summary
An anode active material including a metal core and a coating layer formed on a surface of the metal core is provided. The coating layer includes a conductive metal material. The coating layer covering the metal core is carbon-based and includes a conductive metal material. The anode active material has good electron conductivity and elasticity, thereby enhancing charge/discharge capacity and reducing the stress caused by expansion of the carbon-based coating layer and the metal core during charge/discharge cycles. Direct contact between the metal core and the electrolyte solution is remarkably reduced. In addition, anodes and lithium batteries including the anode active material exhibit excellent charge/discharge characteristics, such as discharge capacity and initial charge/discharge efficiency.