Lithium Anode Protective Film Stack for Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face challenges with the reactivity of lithium metal, leading to safety issues and processing complexities, particularly with silicon-blended graphite anodes experiencing first cycle capacity loss, which requires effective methods for lithium metal deposition and protection.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lithium-ion conducting film or protective film stack on lithium metal or silicon graphite anodes, comprising materials like lithium-ion conducting ceramic, glass, or polymers, to stabilize the lithium metal and prevent dendrite formation, allowing for safer handling and integration into energy storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal is used to increase capacity, then energy density is improved, but safety and reactivity issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A protective film layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal and the external environment. This film acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between lithium and reactive substances (water, oxygen, protic hydrogen), thereby maintaining safety while preserving the high energy density benefits of lithium metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert protective environment around the lithium metal through the application of a protective film. This film mimics the function of an inert atmosphere by preventing reactions with reactive substances, allowing lithium metal to be handled and stored safely outside of controlled inert gas environments.
2Reliability
If protective coating is applied to lithium metal, then safety is improved, but processing complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film protective coatings that can be applied directly to the lithium metal surface. These thin films provide adequate protection without adding significant complexity to the device structure or processing steps, as they can be deposited using standard thin film deposition techniques.
3Reliability
If wax coating is applied to lithium metal, then protection is improved, but subsequent processing is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the protective coating by selecting materials with specific properties (ion conductivity, thickness, composition) that allow lithium ions to pass through while still providing protection. This enables subsequent electrochemical processing to proceed effectively without interference from the protective layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective film is designed with porous or ion-conductive characteristics that allow lithium ions to diffuse through during battery operation. This porosity ensures that the protective function is maintained while electrochemical processing and ion transport are not interfered with.
4Stability of the object's composition
If polymer coating is applied to lithium metal, then stabilization is improved, but dendrite formation is not suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite protective films that combine multiple materials with complementary properties. These composite structures provide both stabilization of the lithium metal surface and suppression of dendrite formation, as different materials within the composite can address different failure modes simultaneously.
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 protective films enable stable lithium metal deposition, suppress dendrite growth, and enhance electrochemical performance, facilitating high-volume manufacturing and reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring safe handling and storage of lithium metal films.
Implementation Method 1
The protective film is a lithium-ion conducting film selected from the group comprising lithium-ion conducting ceramic, lithium-ion conducting glass, or ion conducting liquid crystal
Data Source
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AI summary
Metal electrodes, more specifically lithium-containing anodes, high performance electrochemical devices, such as secondary batteries, including the aforementioned lithium-containing electrodes, and methods for fabricating the same are provided, in one implementation, an anode electrode structure is provided. The anode electrode structure comprises a current collector comprising copper, a lithium metal film formed on the current collector, a copper film formed on the lithium metal film, and a protective film formed on the copper film. The protective film is a lithium-ion conducting film selected from the group comprising lithium-ion conducting ceramic, a lithium-ion conducting glass, or ion conducting liquid crystal.