Granulated Electrode Material Wettability via Plasma Functional Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing granulated materials for electrodes, such as those used in lithium-ion secondary batteries, face challenges in achieving both improved spreadability and liquid retainability, which are crucial for enhancing productivity in electrode production.
Innovation Solution
The method involves preparing granulated material with electrode active materials that have functional groups like hydroxy, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups on their surface, either through inherent presence or plasma treatment, and using a combination of binder and solvent to achieve a solid content percentage between 75% and 90%, facilitating better wettability and spreadability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the granulated material contains high solid content, then liquid retainability is improved, but spreadability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the solid content parameter to a specific range (75-90 mass %) to simultaneously achieve good spreadability and liquid retainability. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where both properties are satisfied.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces functional groups (hydroxy, carbonyl, or carboxyl groups) on the surface of electrode active material particles to locally improve wettability. This local modification enhances liquid retention at particle surfaces without compromising overall spreadability of the granulated material.
2Reliability
If plasma treatment is performed on electrode active material, then wettability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies plasma treatment as a preliminary surface modification step to electrode active material before granulation. This preliminary action introduces functional groups that improve wettability, and the effect is maintained throughout subsequent processing without requiring additional treatment steps.
3Ease of operation
If functional groups are introduced on electrode active material surface, then spreadability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves improved spreadability by optimizing the solid content parameter to 75-90 mass % and introducing functional groups through plasma treatment, avoiding the need for expensive binding agents or surface coatings. This parameter optimization reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining good spreadability.
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 results in granulated materials with enhanced spreadability and liquid retainability, improving the manufacturing efficiency and productivity of electrodes by ensuring uniformity and adherence to the current collector.
Implementation Method 1
performing plasma treatment on the electrode active material. By performing plasma treatment on the electrode active material, at least one type of functional group selected from the hydroxy group, carbonyl group, and carboxyl group is formed on the surface of the electrode active material
Implementation Method 2
the electrode active material has at least one type of functional group selected from hydroxy group (—OH), carbonyl group (═CO), and carboxyl group (—COOH) on its surface, which improves the wettability of the surface of the electrode active material
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a granulated material containing an electrode active material, a binder, and a solvent is provided. The electrode active material has at least one type of functional group selected from hydroxy group, carbonyl group, and carboxyl group on its surface.