Conductive Polymer Composite Electrodes for High Capacity Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrodes for adsorption/desorption type electrochemical devices have high internal resistance and limited capacity due to the strong cohesive force of conductive agents, which inhibits uniform distribution and reduces the effectiveness of electrode active materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of composite particles comprising conductive polymer particles and nano-sized inorganic nanoparticles with higher conductivity, distributed on or inside the polymer particles, serving as both a binder and conductive agent to increase the proportion of electrode active material and reduce internal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conductive agents are used in electrodes, then conductivity is provided, but internal resistance increases and uniform distribution is inhibited due to strong cohesive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite particles consisting of conductive polymer particles combined with conductive inorganic nanoparticles. This composite structure overcomes the strong cohesive force of conventional conductive agents by distributing the inorganic nanoparticles on or inside the polymer particles, achieving uniform distribution while maintaining conductivity and reducing internal resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive inorganic nanoparticles are localized on the surface or inside the conductive polymer particles, creating regions of high conductivity at specific locations. This local concentration of conductive material improves overall electrode conductivity while preventing the aggregation problems of conventional uniform conductive agents.
2Quantity of substance
If the proportion of electrode active material is increased to improve capacity, then capacity increases, but the amount of binder and conductive agent must be reduced which affects adhesion and conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The composite particles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as conductive agents providing electrical conductivity, as binders adhering the electrode active material to the current collector, and as structural support. This multi-functionality allows increasing the proportion of electrode active material while maintaining adhesion and conductivity through the dual-role composite particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of binder and conductive agent into a single composite particle system. The conductive polymer particles with embedded inorganic nanoparticles perform both binding and conducting functions, eliminating the need for separate binder and conductive agent components and enabling higher active material content.
3Quantity of substance
If the amount of binder is reduced to increase active material proportion, then capacity improves, but adhesion and electrode quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The composite particles perform dual functions as both binders and conductive agents. The conductive polymer matrix provides binding capability while the embedded inorganic nanoparticles provide conductivity, allowing the system to maintain electrode quality with reduced binder content by maximizing the efficiency of each composite particle.
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 composite particles enhance the adhesion and conductivity of electrodes, allowing for higher capacity and output while reducing the amount of conventional binder and conductive agents, resulting in improved electrochemical device performance.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive inorganic nanoparticles are distributed onto a surface of the conductive polymer particles and/or inside the conductive polymer particles
Implementation Method 2
conductive polymers conducting faradic reactions
Implementation Method 3
adsorption of electric charges occurs at the interface between each electrode and the electrolyte
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed are composite particles comprising: (a) conductive polymer particles; and (b) conductive inorganic nanoparticles having a higher conductivity as compared to the conductive polymer, wherein the conductive inorganic nanoparticles are distributed onto the surface of the conductive polymer particles and/or inside the conductive polymer particles. An electrode comprising the composite particles and an electrochemical device including the electrode are also disclosed. When the composite particles comprising a conductive polymer and conductive inorganic nanoparticles uniformly distributed in the conductive polymer are used for forming an electrode, the amount of electrode active material contributing to the capacity of an electrochemical device increases. Thus, the electrochemical device can provide high capacity and improved lifespan characteristics.