Porous Lithium Metal Anode Collector to Prevent Pore Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal batteries face challenges in securing reversibility and cycle life due to structural limitations of current anode current collectors, which lead to local blocking during repeated charge/discharge processes.
Innovation Solution
An anode current collector with multiple holes forming first and second pores on opposite sides of a metal plate, where the second pores have larger diameters, connects the first pores and provides a wide entrance for lithium ions, inhibiting local blocking by offering various directions and sufficient space for ion entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flat Cu-foil without internal pores is used as an anode current collector, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but it cannot provide sufficient spaces and various directions where lithium ions are electrodeposited during charge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by introducing a porous coating layer on the Cu-foil current collector. This coating layer contains numerous pores that provide spaces and various directions for lithium ion deposition during charge, while the underlying flat Cu-foil maintains structural simplicity. The porous structure enables the current collector to accommodate lithium metal expansion and contraction without compromising the overall device simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a porous current collector with foam-shaped pores is used, then various directions and sufficient spaces for lithium ion electrodeposition are provided, but local blocking of pores occurs during repeated charge/discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the porous structure into distinct functional zones: a porous coating layer on the surface for lithium ion deposition, and a flat Cu-foil substrate for structural support and electron conduction. This segmentation prevents the bulk structure from undergoing volume changes that would cause pore blocking, while the porous coating layer handles the lithium ion accommodation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the porous coating layer to dynamically accommodate lithium metal expansion during charge and contraction during discharge. The porous structure allows the coating to expand into the pores during lithium deposition, and retract during delithiation, maintaining open pore channels and preventing local blocking throughout repeated cycles.
3Quantity of substance
If the porous structure expands to accommodate lithium ions, then sufficient space is provided, but the structural stability deteriorates leading to pore blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining two structures with complementary properties: a porous coating layer that provides lithium ion accommodation capacity and a flat Cu-foil substrate that provides structural stability. The porous coating expands to accommodate lithium ions while the stable Cu-foil substrate maintains the overall structure, preventing pore blocking and ensuring long-term reliability.
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 design secures the reversibility of the lithium metal battery and improves its cycle life characteristic by preventing local blocking and ensuring stable storage and deintercalation of lithium ions during charge/discharge cycles.
Implementation Method 1
lithium ions are electrodeposited during the charge of a battery
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical reactions in which, during the discharge of a battery, lithium metals of an anode lose electrons and move to a cathode through an electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
An anode for a lithium metal battery and a lithium metal battery that contains an anode for a lithium metal battery, wherein 1) using an anode current collector including multiple holes that, independently from each other, form first pores on one side of a metal plate and form second pores having relatively larger diameters than the first pores on the other side of the metal plate, penetrate inside the metal plate, and connect the first pores and the second pores, and 2) a lithium metal layer that is formed so as to face the first pores of the anode current collector. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a lithium metal battery designed such that a separator faces the second pores (pores having relatively large diameters) of the anode current collector, using the anode for a lithium metal battery of one embodiment.