PVDF Separator Adhesive Layer for Battery Electrode Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-aqueous secondary batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, face challenges with adhesion between electrodes and separators, particularly in larger formats, leading to reduced battery capacity, deteriorated charge-discharge characteristics, and stability issues due to external impacts and expansion. Existing methods like wet heat press can decompose electrolytes, causing gas production and lowering cycle characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A separator with an adhesive porous layer containing a combination of polyvinylidene fluoride type resins A and B, with specific molecular weight ranges and hexafluoropropylene monomer unit proportions, is used to enhance adhesion through either wet or dry heat press methods, maintaining adhesion and dimensional stability while preventing electrolyte decomposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a separator with adhesive porous layer containing polyvinylidene fluoride type resin is used to improve adhesion between electrode and separator, then adhesion is improved, but ion permeability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion between electrode and separatorVSAvoidion permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is designed with different layers having different properties: the base porous substrate provides ion permeability while the adhesive porous layer provides adhesion. This local differentiation allows each layer to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The separator combines polyvinylidene fluoride type resin (providing adhesion) with porous substrate material (providing ion permeability) into a composite structure. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of adhesion and ion permeability that cannot be obtained with single materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If the battery area is increased for electric power storage or electric vehicles, then energy density is improved, but adhesion between electrode and separator deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidadhesion between electrode and separator
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive porous layer parameters are optimized including resin composition (polyvinylidene fluoride type resin with specific fluorine content), layer thickness (1-10 μm), and porosity (30-80%). These parameter adjustments ensure adequate adhesion even in large-area batteries where mechanical stress and thermal expansion differences are more pronounced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If wet heat press method is used to enhance adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but electrolyte decomposition occurs causing gas production and reduced cycle characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion between electrode and separatorVSAvoidcycle characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical/wet heat press process with a dry heat press method. By using dry heat press at controlled temperatures (80-150°C), adhesion is achieved through thermal activation of the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin without causing electrolyte decomposition, thus eliminating gas production and maintaining cycle characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 separator achieves excellent adhesion to electrodes, maintaining cycle characteristics and dimensional stability, even in larger formats, by using a combination of polyvinylidene fluoride type resins with specific molecular weights and hexafluoropropylene monomer unit proportions, and prevents electrolyte decomposition during heat press processes.

Implementation Method 1

a separator having an adhesive porous layer containing a polyvinylidene fluoride type resin on a polyolefin microporous film... When this separator is superimposed and thermally pressed on an electrode with an electrolyte solution included therein, it is well adhered to the electrode through the adhesive porous layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

When this separator is superimposed and thermally pressed on an electrode... it is well adhered to the electrode through the adhesive porous layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal pressing: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the porous structure and thickness of an adhesive porous layer, from the viewpoint of compatibility between adhesiveness to an electrode and ion permeability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon permeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10811657B2Separator for non-aqueous secondary battery and non-aqueous secondary battery
Publication Date: 2020.10.20 TEIJIN LTD

AI summary

There is provided a separator for a non-aqueous secondary battery, containing a porous substrate, and an adhesive porous layer that is provided on one side or both sides of the porous substrate, in which the adhesive porous layer contains a polyvinylidene fluoride type resin A including a vinylidene fluoride monomer unit and a hexafluoropropylene monomer unit, and a polyvinylidene fluoride type resin B including a vinylidene fluoride monomer unit and a hexafluoropropylene monomer unit, a proportion of the hexafluoropropylene monomer unit in the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin A is more than 1.5 mol % and 5 mol % or less with respect to a total amount of the vinylidene fluoride monomer unit and the hexafluoropropylene monomer unit of the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin A, a proportion of the hexafluoropropylene monomer unit in the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin B is more than 5 mol % and 15 mol % or less with respect to a total amount of the vinylidene fluoride monomer unit and the hexafluoropropylene monomer unit of the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin B, and a weighted average of a weight-average molecular weight of the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin A and a weight-average molecular weight of the polyvinylidene fluoride type resin B is from 600,000 to 2,000,000.