Negative Electrode Particle Size Optimization for Battery Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative electrodes with artificial graphite secondary particles suffer from poor cohesion between particles and adhesion to current collectors due to insufficient binder distribution on irregular surfaces, leading to degraded charging and discharging performance and mechanical stability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating second active material particles with an average particle size between 14% to 95% of the primary particles' size, along with 0.5 wt% to 15 wt% pitch as a binder, to enhance binder distribution and contact between artificial graphite particles and the current collector, thereby improving cohesion and adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If artificial graphite is used as negative electrode active material, then charging and discharging characteristics are improved, but cohesion between particles and adhesion to current collector deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging and discharging characteristicsVSAvoidcohesion and adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter by introducing a dual-size particle system where fine particles (D50: 5-12 μm) fill the concave portions of coarse particles (D50: 15-35 μm). This parameter optimization ensures that binder can effectively contact the current collector while maintaining good particle cohesion, thus improving both adhesion and cohesion simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite particle structure by combining coarse artificial graphite particles with fine artificial graphite particles. The fine particles act as a filler in the concave portions of coarse particles, forming a composite structure that improves binder distribution and contact with the current collector, thereby enhancing both cohesion and adhesion properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If binder is disposed in concave portion of artificial graphite surface, then adhesion is improved, but binder distribution becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidbinder distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nesting principle by placing fine particles inside the concave portions of coarse particles. This nested structure allows the binder to be distributed more effectively throughout the particle aggregate, ensuring sufficient binder contact with the current collector while maintaining strong adhesion. The fine particles nest within the irregular surfaces of coarse particles, optimizing binder utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This approach significantly enhances the charging and discharging performance and mechanical stability of the battery by ensuring sufficient binder contact and filling concave surface areas, resulting in improved electrode adhesion and reduced binder displacement.

Implementation Method 1

second active material particles having an average particle size (D 50 ) equal to or less than an average particle size (D 50 ) of the primary particles... ensuring sufficient binder contact and filling concave surface areas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParticle packing:

Data Source

PatentEP3416216B1Negative electrode, and secondary battery, battery module, and battery pack including the same
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3416216B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a negative electrode and a secondary battery including the same, and particularly, to a negative electrode which includes a negative electrode active material layer including first active material particles each in the form of a secondary particle in which a plurality of primary particles are agglomerated; and second active material particles, wherein the second active material particles have an average particle size (D50) equal to or less than an average particle size (D50) of the primary particles, the first active material particle is artificial graphite, and the second active material particle is a graphite-based particle, and a secondary battery, a battery module, and a battery pack including the same.