Lithium Ion Battery Electrode Carbon Nanotube Conductive Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion battery electrodes face issues with poor conductivity due to electrode active material particles being far from the current collector, leading to charge accumulation, polarization, and uneven surface potential distribution, resulting in low utilization rates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a carbon nanotube layered structure on the surface of the electrode active material layer, with carbon nanotubes embedded in the layer and separated from the current collector, to create efficient electron transfer channels and reduce the need for excessive conductive agents, thereby enhancing conductivity and preventing charge accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive agents are dispersed in electrode active material to improve conductivity, then electron transfer between particles is improved, but electrode active material particles far from current collector still cannot transmit electrons and ions in time, leading to charge accumulation and polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional conductive network structure using carbon nanotubes and conductive agents that extends throughout the electrode active material layer, creating conductive pathways in multiple dimensions. This allows electrons to travel through the thickness direction of the electrode, not just laterally, solving the problem of particles far from the current collector unable to transmit electrons in time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds carbon nanotubes within the electrode active material particles and forms a nested structure where conductive agents are dispersed inside and around the particles. This nested conductive network ensures that even particles deep within the electrode layer are connected to the current collector through multiple hierarchical conductive pathways.
2Reliability
If excessive conductive agents are added to improve conductivity throughout the electrode, then electron transfer is enhanced, but the energy density is reduced due to increased non-active material content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating conductive agents and carbon nanotubes at critical locations where they are most needed - at particle interfaces, near the current collector, and forming localized conductive clusters. This localized approach improves conductivity where required without uniformly increasing conductive material content throughout the entire electrode, thus preserving energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite conductive system combining carbon nanotubes with traditional conductive agents, forming a synergistic network. The carbon nanotubes provide long-range electron transport pathways while the dispersed conductive agents fill gaps and create local conductive clusters, achieving high conductivity with minimal total conductive material content.
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 carbon nanotube layered structure improves electron transfer, reduces internal resistance, and maintains high energy density by allowing for timely electron and ion transfer, resulting in improved charge-discharge performance and capacity retention.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of channels can be formed by the conductive agents between electrode active material particles, thus, electrons can be transferred between the electrode active material particles
Implementation Method 2
The carbon nanotube layered structure improves electron transfer, reduces internal resistance, and maintains high energy density by allowing for timely electron and ion transfer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lithium ion battery electrode. The lithium ion battery electrode comprises a current collector and at least one electrode material layers stacked on the current collector. Each of the at least one electrode material layers comprises an electrode active material layer, a conductive agent, an adhesive material, and a carbon nanotube layered structure. The conductive agent and the adhesive material are dispersed in the electrode active material layer. The carbon nanotube layered structure is located on the electrode active material layer, and at least part of the carbon nanotube layered structure is embedded in the electrode active material layer. The electrode active material layer is located between the current collector and the carbon nanotube layered structure.