Battery Cell Swelling Polymer for Electrolyte Bridge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cells exhibit poor use reliability and cycle performance due to electrolyte deficiency and side reactions at the solid-liquid interface, leading to electrolyte bridge breakage and dendritic crystal formation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a swelling polymer, such as a rubber film, into the electrode assembly to lock and release electrolyte through physical adsorption, ensuring adequate electrolyte infiltration and reducing interface reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If electrolyte is added to improve battery performance, then capacity increases, but electrolyte deficiency and bridge breakage occur during cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous polymer material with specific pore structure (average pore diameter 0.01-1 μm) that can absorb and retain electrolyte. The porous structure allows the material to act as an electrolyte reservoir, continuously supplying electrolyte to the electrode interface during charge-discharge cycles, thereby preventing electrolyte deficiency and bridge breakage while maintaining high capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by integrating the porous polymer material into the electrode assembly. This composite approach combines the electrolyte-retaining capability of the porous polymer with the electroactive materials, forming a new functional system that simultaneously provides structural support, electrolyte management, and electrochemical activity, thus improving both capacity and reliability.
2Productivity
If battery cell structure is optimized to improve performance, then capacity increases, but side reactions at solid-liquid interface increase
Solution Approach 1:
The porous polymer material acts as an intermediary between the electrolyte and the electrode active material. It provides a controlled interface that facilitates ion transport while preventing direct contact between electrolyte and electrode surfaces that would cause harmful side reactions. This mediator role reduces interface degradation while maintaining high capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the porous polymer material specifically at the solid-liquid interface where side reactions occur. By localizing this protective layer at the critical interface region while maintaining bulk electrode performance, the invention selectively suppresses harmful reactions without compromising overall battery capacity.
3Reliability
If electrolyte is retained in battery, then cycle performance improves, but electrolyte distribution uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrolyte retention function into multiple porous polymer units distributed throughout the electrode assembly. Each unit locally retains and releases electrolyte, creating a segmented distribution network that ensures uniform electrolyte supply across different regions of the battery, thereby maintaining both cycle performance and distribution uniformity.
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
Improves electrolyte retention and distribution, enhancing the battery's cycle performance and reliability by maintaining consistent electrolyte levels during charge and discharge cycles.
Implementation Method 1
The swelling polymer satisfies: 300%≤m2/m1≤10000%; and m3/m2≤50%, wherein the swelling polymer can lock an electrolyte in the swelling polymer by physical adsorption
Implementation Method 2
The electrolyte can be locked on surfaces of the active substance particles to form a slow-release storage point to release the electrolyte into the electrode assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical apparatus. The battery cell comprises an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator. The polarities of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are opposite, and the separator is arranged between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. At least one of the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate and the separator comprises a swelling polymer, the swelling polymer satisfying: 300%≤m2/m1≤10000%, and m3/m2≤50%.