Self-Healing Conductive Coating for Bipolar Current Collectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion batteries with inner-series-connected high voltage structures face issues with electrolyte leakage due to cracks or holes in current collectors, leading to internal short-circuiting and compromised safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bipolar current collector modified with a self-healing conductive coating, comprising a current collector substrate coated with a mixture of self-healing microcapsules, a catalyst, and a conductive filler, which repairs cracks or holes by releasing a healing agent to block electrolyte seepage and prevent short-circuiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a very thin copper aluminum composite foil film is used as current collector to achieve high voltage inner-series connection, then battery energy density is improved, but the current collector develops cracks or holes leading to electrolyte leakage and internal short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by coating the metal current collector with a polymer layer containing conductive fillers and self-healing microcapsules. This composite structure combines the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of metal with the crack resistance and self-healing capability of polymer, preventing electrolyte leakage while maintaining high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating self-healing microcapsules into the coating layer before any cracks occur. These microcapsules are pre-positioned to detect and repair cracks as they form, preventing electrolyte leakage before it can cause internal short-circuiting, thus maintaining current collector integrity throughout battery operation.
2Quantity of substance
If the current collector is made thinner to increase energy density, then battery energy density is improved, but the current collector becomes more susceptible to penetrating cracks and holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining thin metal current collector with a polymer coating layer containing conductive fillers and self-healing microcapsules. This composite structure compensates for the reduced mechanical strength of thinner metal with the crack resistance of the polymer coating, preventing crack penetration while maintaining high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating self-healing microcapsules into the coating layer before cracks occur. These microcapsules are pre-positioned to detect and seal cracks as they form in the thin current collector, preventing electrolyte penetration and maintaining battery safety despite the reduced thickness.
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 self-healing coating effectively prevents internal short-circuiting and enhances the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries by quickly repairing defects in the current collector, maintaining battery integrity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the self-healing coating can achieve self-healing on the current collector
Implementation Method 2
preparing microcapsules containing a healing agent
Implementation Method 3
the self-healing conductive coating is a mixture of a self-healing material, an adhesive and a conductive filler
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of battery technologies and in particular to a bipolar current collector modified by a self-healing conductive coating and a preparation method and application thereof. The key points in the technical scheme are as follows: the method includes: preparing microcapsules containing a healing agent; preparing a slurry containing the microcapsules, a catalyst, an adhesive and a conductive filler; coating the slurry on a surface of a current collector substrate to obtain a bipolar current collector with a self-healing conductive coating. in a case of occurrence of perforation of the current collector, the self-healing microcapsules in the self-healing conductive coating may crack under an external stress and the healing agent is released and can immediately perform polymerization reaction under the action of a catalyst to generate a self-heating material which can quickly and accurately repair the cracks or holes on the current collector layer.