Tilted Electrode Drying to Suppress Binder Floating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The floating of binder elements during the drying process of electrodes in secondary batteries leads to reduced bonding force between the current collector and the mixture layer, affecting electrical conductivity and lithium ion movement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for drying electrodes by maintaining a tilt angle during the constant-rate-drying step and horizontal movement during the falling-rate-drying step, with controlled movement angles and temperature variations, using heating methods like hot air, induction-heat, and light irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electrode substrate is dried horizontally during the constant-rate-drying step, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the binder elements float to the surface side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drying orientation from horizontal to inclined (tilted at a specific angle). This dimensional change in the drying process configuration prevents binder flotation while maintaining efficient solvent evaporation, thereby resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and binder distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific inclination angle parameter (α) during the constant-rate-drying step. By controlling this angular parameter, the drying process prevents binder elements from floating to the surface while maintaining high drying efficiency, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Loss of time
If the binder concentration increases at the surface side, then the drying process completes faster, but the bonding force between current collector and mixture layer decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from horizontal to inclined drying, the patent prevents premature binder concentration at the surface during the constant-rate-drying phase. This maintains adequate binder distribution for strong adhesion while still achieving efficient drying through the inclined configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by controlling the drying orientation before binder flotation can occur. The inclined positioning during constant-rate-drying prevents binder migration to the surface, ensuring adequate bonding force is maintained throughout the drying process.
3Productivity
If the binder concentrates on the surface side, then the drying process becomes more efficient, but the electrical conductivity and lithium ion movement are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined drying configuration changes the dimensional orientation of the drying process, preventing binder migration to the surface. This maintains uniform binder distribution that preserves electrical conductivity and lithium ion movement pathways while still achieving efficient drying.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing and controlling the inclination angle parameter during drying, the patent prevents binder concentration at the surface. This maintains the electrical and ionic conductivity of the electrode while achieving efficient moisture removal through the controlled angular configuration.
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
Suppresses the floating of binder elements, enhancing adhesive force between the electrode mixture layer and current collector, thereby improving electrical conductivity and lithium ion mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the solvent (H2O) inside evaporates during the constant-rate-drying step
Implementation Method 2
a drying process is performed to manufacture an electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode drying method including: constant-rate-drying an electrode substrate coated with an electrode slurry while the electrode substrate is moved in a state that the electrode substrate makes a tilt angle with a horizontal plane; and falling-rate-drying the electrode substrate while the electrode substrate is horizontally moved. The electrode drying method and related system provide suppression of a floating phenomenon of binder elements during a drying process of an electrode and improve adhesive force between an electrode mixture layer and an electrode current collector.