Pulse Electrodeposited Lithium Anode for Dendrite Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium secondary battery anodes face challenges such as dendrite growth leading to internal short circuits, high reactivity of lithium powder causing explosions, and expensive manufacturing due to the use of lithium foil or powder, which reduces charging/discharging capacity and cycle life.

Innovation Solution

A composite anode is manufactured using pulse electrodeposition of lithium metal on a porous conductor, with a lithium alloy, where the lithium metal is uniformly distributed to suppress dendrite growth and reduce lithium usage, incorporating a specific voltage and current conditions, and optionally surface-modifying the electrodeposited lithium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If lithium foil is used as the anode to achieve high energy density, then the battery energy density is improved, but dendrite growth occurs during charging leading to internal short circuits and safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy densityVSAvoidsafety and cycle life

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a porous conductor as the substrate for lithium deposition. The porous structure provides a large surface area and three-dimensional pathways that guide uniform lithium ion distribution, preventing dendrite formation while maintaining high lithium content for energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite anode structure combining porous conductor material with electrodeposited lithium metal. This composite approach integrates the structural advantages of porous materials with the high capacity of lithium metal, achieving both safety and high energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If lithium powder is used to produce anode to reduce cost compared to lithium foil, then manufacturing cost is improved, but high reactivity of lithium powder causes explosion hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidexplosion hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical mixing of lithium powder with electrochemical deposition of lithium metal. The pulse electrodeposition process deposits lithium atom-by-atom onto the porous conductor, eliminating the need for handling reactive lithium powder and associated explosion risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and deposition method of lithium from powder form to controlled electrochemical deposition. By controlling voltage, current, and pulse parameters, lithium is deposited in a controlled manner rather than being handled as reactive powder

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional slurry method is used to produce anode from lithium powder, then production process is simplified, but great particle size distribution difference reduces charging/discharging capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidcharging/discharging capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slurry mixing and coating process with electrochemical pulse electrodeposition. This electrochemical approach enables precise control of lithium particle size and uniform distribution directly during deposition, eliminating particle size distribution issues inherent in mechanical mixing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pulse electrodeposition with periodic application of voltage/current. The pulsed nature of the deposition process allows controlled nucleation and growth of uniform lithium particles, achieving consistent particle size distribution that maximizes charging/discharging capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 method effectively suppresses dendrite growth and enhances the uniform distribution of lithium, improving the safety and economic efficiency of lithium secondary battery manufacturing while maintaining high energy density and cycle life.

Implementation Method 1

applying a voltage or a current through a power supply connected to the working and counter electrodes to perform pulse electrodeposition of the lithium metal on the porous conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulse electrodeposition: Electrodeposition

Data Source

PatentUS20230088842A1Composite anode for lithium secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a composite anode for a lithium secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite anode for a lithium secondary battery where a lithium metal or a lithium metal composite is uniformly distributed and located may be manufactured using a simple pulse-electrodepositing method while minimizing an amount of lithium to be used. Moreover, a dendrite growth of lithium may be suppressed during charging because the lithium metal or the lithium metal composite is uniformly located on the porous conductor.