SiO2/Carbon Nanofiber Anode via Electrophoretic Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary battery anode materials face limitations in charge capacity and stability due to the volume change and electrical conductivity issues with silicon, which affects the cycle life and efficiency of the battery.

Innovation Solution

A method involving electrophoretic deposition of a nickel and copper catalyst on carbon fibers, followed by chemical vapor deposition to grow carbon nanofibers and coating them with SiO2, enhancing the electrochemical properties of the anode material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If silicon is used as anode material to increase charge capacity, then charge capacity is improved (4000 mAh/g), but volume changes by 300% or more during lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation causing structural instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge capacityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Silicon particles are encapsulated within carbon nanofibers, creating a nested structure where the inner silicon can expand and contract during lithium ion intercalation/deintercalation while the outer carbon nanofiber shell maintains structural integrity and prevents particle aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A composite structure is formed by coating silicon particles with carbon nanofibers, combining the high charge capacity of silicon with the structural stability and conductivity of carbon, creating a material that exhibits both high capacity and dimensional stability during cycling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If silicon is used as anode material to increase charge capacity, then charge capacity is improved (4000 mAh/g), but electrical conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge capacityVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composite of silicon and carbon nanofibers combines the high capacity of silicon with the excellent electrical conductivity of carbon, creating a material that maintains good electrical conductivity while achieving high charge capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The carbon nanofiber coating is applied locally on the silicon particle surface, providing conductivity enhancement and structural support exactly where needed at the silicon-carbon interface, while the bulk silicon maintains its high capacity characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If nickel and copper catalyst is deposited by electrophoretic deposition to grow carbon nanofiber, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst deposition uniformityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical deposition process is replaced with electrophoretic deposition, which uses electrical fields to deposit catalyst particles uniformly on the carbon fiber substrate, achieving better precision through field-driven particle migration and deposition

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

This approach results in a lithium secondary battery with improved charge and discharge efficiency, high capacity, and extended lifespan by stabilizing the anode structure and maintaining electrochemical characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

depositing a nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) catalyst on a carbon fiber textile by electrophoretic deposition using a carbon electrode as an anode and the carbon fiber textile as a cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoretic deposition: Electrophoretic Deposition

Implementation Method 2

growing carbon nanofiber on the reduced carbon fiber textile by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using an ethylene gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS10014516B2Method for manufacturing SiO-based carbon nanofiber composite on basis of nickel-copper catalyst using electrophoretic deposition, and method for manufacturing secondary battery using same

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 TOBE LINK

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a SiO2/carbon nanofiber composite on the basis of a nickel/copper catalyst using electrophoretic deposition, and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery using the same as an anode material. The method for manufacturing a SiO2/carbon nanofiber composite on the basis of a nickel/copper catalyst using electrophoretic deposition including: depositing a nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) catalyst on a carbon fiber textile by electrophoretic deposition using a carbon electrode as an anode and the carbon fiber textile as a cathode; reducing the carbon fiber textile on which the nickel and copper catalyst is deposited; growing carbon nanofiber on the reduced carbon fiber textile to by chemical vapor deposition using an ethylene gas; and coating the grown carbon nanofiber with SiO2.