Metal Negative Electrode with Reaction Space Divider

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal negative electrodes in secondary batteries face issues of dendrite short circuit and active material inhomogeneity, leading to poor charge and discharge cycle characteristics, especially at high current densities or large charge and discharge rates, which limits their practical application and energy density.

Innovation Solution

A metal negative electrode with a non-electronically conductive reaction space divider that regulates the reaction space between the metal negative electrode and the positive electrode, incorporating electrolyte holder portions to manage the liquid electrolyte and prevent internal short circuits, thereby suppressing dendrite growth and active material inhomogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If metal negative electrode is used in secondary battery, then high energy density and high capacity are achieved, but dendrite short circuit and active material inhomogeneity occur leading to poor cycle characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidcharge and discharge cycle characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reaction space is divided into multiple independent regions by the reaction space divider with multiple electrolyte holder portions, separating the metal negative electrode into multiple reaction zones. This segmentation prevents dendrite growth across the entire electrode surface and ensures homogeneous active material distribution, resolving the contradiction between high capacity and cycle stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The non-electronically conductive reaction space divider acts as an intermediary structure between the metal negative electrode and positive electrode, holding electrolyte in specific regions to control reaction zones. This mediator prevents direct contact between electrodes (avoiding short circuits) while maintaining ionic conduction pathways, thus improving reliability without sacrificing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high current density or large charge and discharge rate is applied, then power output and charging speed are improved, but dendrite short circuit and active material inhomogeneity are exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge and discharge rateVSAvoidcycle characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the reaction space into multiple electrolyte holder portions, the high current density is distributed across multiple smaller reaction zones. This segmentation prevents localized dendrite formation that would occur at high current densities in conventional single-zone electrodes, enabling high charge/discharge rates without compromising cycle life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If conventional metal negative electrode structure is used, then simple structure and low manufacturing cost are achieved, but internal short circuit and poor cycle stability occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode structureVSAvoidcycle characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reaction space divider is integrated with the metal negative electrode structure, combining the electrode function and reaction space management function into a unified component. This merging approach maintains structural simplicity and low manufacturing cost while effectively preventing internal short circuits and improving cycle stability through controlled electrolyte distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables stable operation at high charge and discharge rates, maintaining battery capacity and efficiency over thousands of cycles without significant changes in voltage or resistance, allowing for high energy density and responsive rate changes during charging and discharging.

Implementation Method 1

a non-electronically conductive reaction space divider which has a plurality of electrolyte holder portions capable of holding a liquid electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

the metal negative electrode forms metal during charging and forms an oxidation product by oxidizing the metal during discharging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS11652204B2Metal negative electrode, method for fabricating the same and secondary battery including the same

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 DOWA HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a metal negative electrode used for a secondary battery. The metal negative electrode includes an active material portion, a current collector, and a non-electronically conductive reaction space divider. The active material portion forms metal during charging and forms an oxidation product of the metal during discharging. The metal is used as a negative-electrode active material. The current collector is electrically connected to the active material portion. The non-electronically conductive reaction space divider is integrally formed with or connected to the current collector and/or the active material portion. The reaction space divider has a plurality of electrolyte holder portions configured to hold a liquid electrolyte.