Lithium Electrode COC Protective Layer Against Moisture and Dendrites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal electrodes are difficult to handle due to their high reactivity with moisture and open air, leading to oxide layer formation and dendrite growth, which adversely affect battery performance and energy density.
Innovation Solution
A protective layer made of an olefin-based ion conducting polymer, specifically a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), is formed to shield the lithium metal from moisture and air, enhancing moisture barrier properties and preventing dendrite formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium hydroxide is used as the starting material for preparing lithium foil, then the lithium foil can be produced, but the preparation process becomes complex and costly due to multiple purification steps and specialized equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the core functional requirement (lithium metal deposition) from the complex conventional process and isolates it to a single electrolyte composition and deposition step, eliminating the need for multiple purification steps and specialized equipment while maintaining production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating specific lithium salts (lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium iodide) in defined ratios, which fundamentally alters the deposition mechanism to enable direct lithium foil formation without complex purification infrastructure
2Quantity of substance
If conventional lithium foil preparation methods are used, then lithium foil can be produced, but the process requires specialized equipment and multiple steps increasing manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the manufacturing process into a single critical step - electrolyte deposition - where lithium foil forms directly from the electrolyte composition, separating this core function from the complex purification and processing steps required by conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a specifically formulated electrolyte composition containing lithium chloride, lithium bromide, and lithium iodide as an intermediary medium that enables direct lithium foil deposition, replacing the need for complex mechanical and chemical processing equipment
3Quantity of substance
If lithium hydroxide starting material is used, then lithium foil can be prepared, but the process requires multiple purification steps and specialized equipment increasing production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential lithium deposition function from the multi-step purification process and achieves it through a single electrolyte-based deposition step, eliminating material losses associated with repeated purification operations
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte composition self-regulates the lithium deposition process through its specific chemical composition (lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium iodide in defined ratios), eliminating the need for external purification interventions and reducing material loss
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 COC protective layer effectively prevents lithium metal exposure, minimizing oxide layer formation and improving battery performance and energy density.
Implementation Method 1
a lithium salt electrolyte is used to deposit lithium on a current collector
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lithium electrode and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. The present invention uses an olefin-based ion conductive polymer as a material for forming a protective layer of a lithium electrode having the protective layer formed on a lithium metal layer, thereby protecting the lithium electrode from moisture or outside air during a manufacturing process of the lithium electrode, preventing lithium dendrites from the lithium electrode from being formed and growing, and improving the performance of a battery to which the lithium electrode is applied.