Lithium Metal Anode Oxide Layer with Cracks for Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal secondary batteries face issues with decreased charge/discharge efficiency and battery life due to dendrite growth and consumption of electrolyte salts and additives, leading to instability and short-circuits.
Innovation Solution
A lithium metal negative electrode with an oxide layer having a cracked region on its surface to enhance lithium deintercalation and suppress dendrite growth, achieved through thermal treatment in a vacuum or inert atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as a negative electrode active material to achieve high capacity density, then the theoretical capacity increases to 3,862 mAh/g, but dendrite growth occurs causing short-circuits and decreasing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
An oxide layer is formed on the lithium metal surface before battery assembly through thermal treatment in a vacuum or inert atmosphere. This preliminary action creates a controlled surface structure that prevents subsequent harmful reactions and dendrite growth during battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxide layer is designed with a specific cracked structure where only certain regions are oxidized while maintaining controlled thickness variations. This local quality differentiation creates areas that promote uniform lithium deposition while suppressing dendrite formation, resolving the contradiction between high capacity and battery life.
2Reliability
If lithium metal reacts with electrolyte solution to form SEI, then a protective layer is created, but salts and additives are continuously consumed accelerating battery degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The oxide layer is formed in advance through thermal treatment before the battery is assembled and filled with electrolyte. This preliminary protective layer prevents direct contact between lithium metal and electrolyte, eliminating continuous salt consumption while maintaining the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxide layer acts as an intermediary barrier between lithium metal and electrolyte solution. It provides the necessary protection while being more stable and less consumptive than the conventional SEI layer, thus reducing electrolyte salt consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If thermal treatment is applied to form cracked oxide layer structure, then lithium deintercalation is improved and dendrite growth is suppressed, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal treatment parameters (temperature, time, atmosphere) are optimized to form the desired cracked oxide layer structure. By controlling these parameters, the treatment can be efficiently performed without requiring complex additional equipment or processes, achieving dendrite suppression while managing manufacturing complexity.
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 cracked oxide layer improves lithium deintercalation, increases surface area for uniform electrodeposition, and suppresses dendrite growth, enhancing battery life and stability.
Implementation Method 1
improve lithium deintercalation
Implementation Method 2
enable uniform electrodeposition
Implementation Method 3
suppress dendrite growth
Implementation Method 4
achieved through thermal treatment in a vacuum or inert atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lithium metal negative electrode comprising a lithium metal layer, and an oxide layer on at least one surface of the lithium metal layer, wherein the oxide layer has a cracked region and a non-cracked region, and a method for manufacturing the same, and since the oxide layer on at least one surface of the lithium metal layer has the cracked region, it is possible to improve the battery life.