3D Metal Porous Electrode for High-Capacitance Supercapacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrodes for electric double layer capacitors and lithium-ion capacitors face challenges such as deformation of gel-like compositions, difficulty in uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes, and limitations in increasing capacitance and cell voltage due to issues like gas generation and poor contact between electrode materials and current collectors.
Innovation Solution
An electrode comprising a combination of carbon nanotubes, ionic liquids, and a three-dimensional network metal porous body, specifically using aluminum or nickel alloys, which improves capacitance, cell voltage, and energy density by enhancing contact and reducing internal resistance without the need for binders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gel-like composition is used as electrode material, then capacitance can be increased, but handling becomes difficult and the composition is easily deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a three-dimensional network metal porous body as the base material, which provides a porous structure that maintains electrode integrity while allowing electrolyte penetration. This porous structure enables the electrode to maintain its shape and handling properties while still achieving high capacitance through the increased surface area and improved contact with the active material.
2Quantity of substance
If gel-like composition is used, then capacitance can be increased, but it is difficult to attach onto current collecting foil in large thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite electrode structure by combining the three-dimensional network metal porous body with carbon nanotubes and ionic liquid. This composite approach allows the electrode to achieve large thickness while maintaining good attachment to the current collector, as the porous metal body provides structural support and anchoring points for the active materials.
3Area of stationary object
If carbon nanotubes are used with base material having projections and depressions, then surface area can be increased, but uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional network metal porous body provides a uniform porous structure that facilitates even distribution of carbon nanotubes throughout the electrode. The consistent pore size and distribution in the metal porous body act as a template that promotes uniform dispersion of the carbon nanotubes, eliminating the aggregation problems associated with irregular projections and depressions.
4Quantity of substance
If activated carbon with functional groups is used, then capacitance can be increased, but gas generation occurs which limits cell voltage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition of the active material from activated carbon with functional groups to carbon nanotubes, which have fewer reactive functional groups. This parameter change in material composition eliminates the gas generation problem while maintaining high capacitance through the superior surface area and electrochemical properties of carbon nanotubes.
5Power
If electrode material contact with current collector is improved, then power can be increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current collector function with the electrode structure by using the three-dimensional network metal porous body as both the base material and part of the electroactive mass. This integration eliminates the need for separate current collector layers and binding agents, improving power through direct contact while actually simplifying the overall device structure.
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 proposed electrode design significantly enhances capacitance and cell voltage, leading to improved energy density and stable long-term charging and discharging capabilities, while eliminating the need for binders and reducing internal resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode capable of electrostatically adsorbing/desorbing ions, such as an activated carbon electrode
Implementation Method 2
a cell principally includes a pair of opposed activated carbon electrodes, a separator for electrically isolating the electrodes from each other, and an organic electrolytic solution for developing a capacity
Implementation Method 3
An electrode material of an electric double layer capacitor, which is made of a gel-like composition composed of an ionic liquid and a carbon nanotube
Implementation Method 4
an electrode for an electric storage device including at least an active material selected from the group consisting of a carbon nanotube, activated carbon, hard carbon, graphite, graphene and a carbon nanohorn; an ionic liquid; and a three-dimensional network metal porous body
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode for an electric storage device includes at least an active material selected from the group consisting of a carbon nanotube, activated carbon, hard carbon, graphite, graphene and a carbon nanohorn; an ionic liquid; and a three-dimensional network metal porous body.