Lithium Electrode Acrylic Layer for Moisture Protection Without Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium metal electrodes face challenges in handling reactivity and moisture exposure, leading to performance and lifetime degradation due to protective polymer films acting as resistance in lithium-ion batteries.
Innovation Solution
A lithium electrode with a lithium metal layer and an acrylic polymer layer formed using an acrylic release film, where the acrylic polymer layer functions as both a protective and release layer, preventing moisture exposure and dissolving in the electrolyte to avoid resistance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a polymer film is formed on the surface of a lithium metal electrode to protect from moisture, then the lithium metal layer is protected from moisture, but the polymer film acts as a resistance and degrades battery lifetime and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the polymer film from the lithium metal electrode surface after it has served its protective function during manufacturing. This eliminates the harmful resistance effect of the polymer film while maintaining the benefits of moisture protection during the critical manufacturing phase. The protective layer is temporarily applied and then removed, leaving no residual resistance in the finished battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer film is applied in advance during the manufacturing process to protect the lithium metal from moisture exposure before the battery is assembled. This preliminary protective action occurs only during manufacturing, and the film is subsequently removed before battery operation, thus providing protection when needed without causing performance degradation during operation.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as a negative electrode to increase energy density, then the battery becomes lighter and has higher energy density, but lithium metal is highly reactive and difficult to handle in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer film serves as an intermediary protective layer during the manufacturing process, shielding the highly reactive lithium metal from moisture and air exposure. This mediator allows handlers to work with lithium metal safely during assembly, and the film is subsequently removed before battery operation, thus enabling easy manufacturing without compromising the reactive lithium metal's performance benefits.
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 acrylic polymer layer effectively protects lithium metal from moisture and external air, functions as a release layer during manufacturing, and dissolves in the electrolyte, enhancing battery performance and lifetime without causing resistance, especially with carbonate-based electrolyte solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the acrylic polymer layer functions as a protective layer for lithium metal in the manufactured lithium electrode
Implementation Method 2
is dissolved in an electrolyte solution and thus does not act as a resistance when operating the battery to which the lithium electrode is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium electrode having an acrylic polymer layer formed on a lithium metal layer wherein the acrylic polymer layer functions as a protective layer for the lithium metal layer, and functions as a release layer in the manufacturing process of the lithium electrode. The acrylic polymer layer shows an effect that does not act as a resistance in the lithium secondary battery comprising the lithium electrode during operation of the battery.