Binder for Electricity Storage Electrodes with Thixotropic Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electricity storage device electrodes face challenges in achieving high energy density with reduced binder amounts while maintaining peel strength and minimizing internal resistance for rapid charging, which leads to capacity loss.

Innovation Solution

A binder comprising a polyvinyl alcohol resin with specific viscosity and thixotropic properties, combined with an electrolyte solution-swellable resin, is used to enhance peel strength and reduce resistance, allowing for increased active material content without binder flaking and maintaining capacity during rapid charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the amount of binder is reduced to increase energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the peel strength decreases causing flaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of binderVSAvoidpeel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the binder by specifying viscosity (4-30 Pa·s at 25°C and 10 s⁻¹ shear rate) and thixotropic index (1.8-5) to achieve optimal adhesion properties that maintain peel strength with reduced binder content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite binder system combining polyvinyl alcohol resin with specific viscosity characteristics and thixotropic properties, along with electrolyte solution-swellable resin, to achieve both high adhesion and low binder content requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the amount of binder is reduced to increase energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the electrode structure stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of binderVSAvoidelectrode structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the binder's thixotropic index (1.8-5) and viscosity to provide structural stability while minimizing binder content, allowing the electrode to maintain its composition stability during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a small amount of binder that is optimized for maximum efficiency, accepting that the binder layer is thin and relies on its enhanced adhesive properties rather than thickness to maintain structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If rapid charging is performed to reduce charging time, then the charging speed is improved, but the capacity decreases due to internal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcapacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the binder's viscosity and thixotropic properties to create a low-resistance electrode structure that allows rapid ion transport during fast charging while maintaining capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If the viscosity of polyvinyl alcohol resin is increased to improve peel strength, then the adhesion is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeel strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a precise viscosity range (4-30 Pa·s) and thixotropic index (1.8-5) for the polyvinyl alcohol resin to achieve optimal peel strength while maintaining manufacturability through standardized material specifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 binder solution achieves a high peel strength and low resistance, enabling electrodes with reduced binder content to maintain capacity and prevent flaking, even during rapid charging and discharging.

Implementation Method 1

an electrolyte solution-swellable resin having an electrolyte solution swelling rate, which is represented by the following equation (1), of 10% by mass or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a polyvinyl alcohol resin in the state of an aqueous solution having a solid content concentration of 10% by mass has a viscosity of 4 Pa·s or higher at 25° C. and a shear rate of 10 s−1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThixotropy: Thixotropy

Data Source

PatentUS20230261195A1Binder suitable for electricity storage device electrodes, binder solution for electricity storage device electrodes, electricity storage device electrode slurry, electricity storage device electrode, and electricity storage device
Publication Date: 2023.08.17 KURARAY CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a binder for electricity storage device electrodes, said binder containing a polyvinyl alcohol resin and an electrolyte solution-swellable resin.