Ion-Conductive Metal Oxide Electrode Layer for Stable Battery Anodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrode protective layers in secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, are prone to instability and safety hazards due to the rupture or delamination of the naturally generated SEI film, especially under high temperature conditions, leading to erosion of the negative electrode active material and reduced battery capacity.

Innovation Solution

A metal oxide electrode protective layer with ionic conductivity is applied using atomic layer deposition, providing a laminated structure that physically isolates the negative electrode from the electrolyte while allowing ion transmission through mechanisms like lattice intercalation and oxidation-reduction reactions, maintaining battery performance without affecting thickness precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional SEI film is formed naturally during charge and discharge, then the negative electrode is protected to a certain extent, but the film becomes unstable under high temperature conditions leading to rupture or delamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective effectVSAvoidfilm stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming a protective layer on the negative electrode surface before the battery undergoes normal charge-discharge cycles. This pre-formed layer prevents the natural SEI film from rupturing or delaminating under high temperature conditions, thereby maintaining both protective effect and stability throughout the battery's operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a passivation protective layer is applied to protect active materials, then cycle life is prolonged, but the layer thickness must be precisely controlled to maintain battery performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle lifeVSAvoidthickness precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing atomic layer deposition to precisely control the thickness of the protective layer within the range of 1-50 nm. This method enables accurate thickness control without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision, as the ALD process inherently provides uniform and controllable film deposition. The protective layer thickness is optimized to balance protection effectiveness with ion transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the protective layer is made too thin, then battery performance is maintained, but the protective effect is insufficient; if made too thick, then protection is improved, but ion transmission is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective effectVSAvoidion transmission resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the protective layer thickness to 1-50 nm through atomic layer deposition. This parameter range provides sufficient protective effect against electrolyte erosion while maintaining adequate ion transmission performance. The specific thickness can be adjusted based on the negative electrode material type and battery application requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the protective layer with the negative electrode active material. The protective layer is designed to be permeable to lithium ions while providing mechanical and chemical protection. This composite structure ensures both protective effect and ion transmission capability are achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively improves the safety and cycle stability of secondary batteries by preventing electrolyte corrosion and maintaining ion transmission performance, extending the battery's cycle life and capacity retention.

Implementation Method 1

the metal oxide has ionic conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

active ions (including lithium ions, sodium ions, potassium ions, aluminum ions and the like) of the secondary battery enter and desorb from the electrode protective layer through mechanisms such as lattice intercalation-deintercalation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLattice intercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20240322186A1Electrode protective layer, and preparation method therefor and use thereof

Publication Date: 2024.09.26 SHENZHEN YUANSU OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electrode protective layer, and a preparation method therefor and the use thereof. The electrode protective layer comprises a metal oxide and has a one-layer laminated structure, and the metal oxide is ionically conductive; and the surface of a negative electrode plate of a secondary battery is coated with the electrode protective layer. The electrode protective layer has the effects of improving the safety performance and cycle performance of a secondary battery; the preparation method is simple and has high applicability; and the electrode protective layer can be used in various batteries and various fields.