Metal Nanowire Electrode with Conductive Gap for Battery Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries with carbon-based anode active materials face limitations in capacity and cycle life due to volume expansion during charging/discharging, leading to capacity deterioration and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An electrode comprising a metal nanowire with a conductive graphene layer, where a gap is formed between the nanowire and the graphene layer, utilizing a germanium nanowire and a graphene layer on an electrode current collector, facilitating electron movement and alleviating volume expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If metal-based anode active material is used to achieve higher charge/discharge capacity, then capacity is improved, but volume change during charging/discharging causes cracks and micronization leading to reduced cycle life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the metal nanowire (high capacity material) inside a conductive layer (protective shell), forming a core-shell structure. This nested configuration allows the metal nanowire to maintain its high capacity while being protected from mechanical degradation by the surrounding conductive layer, thereby resolving the contradiction between capacity and cycle life
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer acts as a flexible shell surrounding the metal nanowire. This thin film structure accommodates the volume expansion and contraction of the metal nanowire during charging/discharging cycles without causing cracks or micronization, thus maintaining both high capacity and long cycle life
2Quantity of substance
If metal-based anode active material is used to achieve higher charge/discharge capacity, then capacity is improved, but cracks and micronization occur reducing output characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer serves as a flexible shell that maintains structural integrity during volume changes. This prevents cracks that would otherwise disrupt electron transport pathways, ensuring that both capacity and output characteristics are maintained simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material structure combining metal nanowire and conductive layer. This composite approach leverages the high capacity of metal materials while the conductive component ensures continuous electron transport, resolving the contradiction between capacity and power output
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 solution provides an electrode with enhanced capacity, output, and life characteristics by combining the high capacity of metal nanowires with the conductivity and stability of graphene, while the gap between layers mitigates volume expansion issues during charging/discharging.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive layer surrounding the outside of the metal nanowire... facilitating electron movement
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrode, comprising: an electrode current collector, a metal nanowire formed on a surface of the electrode current collector, and a conductive layer surrounding the outside of the metal nanowire, wherein a gap is formed between the metal nanowire and the conductive layer, so that the metal nanowire and the conductive layer are spaced apart from each other without direct contact between them.