Porous Coated Polyolefin Separator for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium secondary battery separators face challenges with thermal stability and ion conductivity, leading to potential short circuits and reduced power output due to thermal shrinkage and low ion conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A separator with a monolayer-type polyolefin-based micro-porous film and a porous coating layer made of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, optimizing porosity, air permeability, and ion conductivity to enhance thermal stability and minimize leak current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a polyolefin-based micro-porous film is used as a separator, then thermal stability is improved, but ion conductivity deteriorates due to controlled porosity and pore size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidion conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by forming a porous coating layer made of binder polymer and inorganic particles on the polyolefin-based micro-porous film substrate. This composite structure combines the thermal stability of polyolefin with the ion conductivity enhancement from the porous coating layer, resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and ion conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous materials by creating a porous coating layer with controlled porosity on the separator surface. This porous structure increases ion conductivity by providing additional pathways for ion transport while the underlying polyolefin film maintains thermal stability through its shrinkage behavior at elevated temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 controls thermal shrinkage and increases ion conductivity, enabling high-power battery performance while reducing the occurrence of leak current and improving overall battery output.

Implementation Method 1

a porous coating layer made of a mixture of a binder polymer and inorganic particles is formed on at least one surface of a micro-porous film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conductivity enhancement through porous structure: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

A polyolefin-based micro-porous film commonly used as a separator of an electrochemical device is extremely thermally shrunken at a temperature of 100° C. or above due to its material characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS9960400B2Separator having porous coating layer, and electrochemical device containing the same
Publication Date: 2018.05.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A separator includes a monolayer-type polyolefin-based micro-porous film having a porosity of 40 to 60%, an average pore diameter of 60 nm or less, and an air permeability of 350 s/100 mL or less; and a porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the micro-porous film and made of a mixture of a plurality of inorganic particles and a binder polymer. An electrochemical device having the above separator has excellent thermal stability and allows a high power while minimizing the occurrence of leak current.