Tube-Structured Lithium Electrode for Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium secondary batteries face safety issues due to lithium dendrite growth and reactions with the electrolyte, leading to capacity decrease and short circuits, which current technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An electrode structure is developed with a tube-shaped design having an open side or both sides open, supporting an electrode active material, which enhances charge and discharge performance while preventing dendrite growth and electrolyte reactions by controlling the lithium metal distribution within the tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as a negative electrode material to achieve high energy density, then battery capacity is improved, but lithium dendrite growth occurs causing safety problems and internal short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film coating layer deposited on the lithium metal electrode. This film acts as a protective barrier that prevents dendrite growth and internal short circuits while maintaining the high capacity benefits of lithium metal. The film is thin enough to not significantly impede lithium ion transport but sufficient to provide mechanical stability and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrode structure combining lithium metal with a coating material layer. This composite approach allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve high capacity from the lithium metal and high safety from the protective coating, resolving the contradiction between capacity and reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as a negative electrode material to achieve high energy density, then battery capacity is improved, but side reactions with electrolyte occur affecting lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film coating serves as a protective barrier between the lithium metal and the electrolyte, preventing harmful side reactions that would otherwise degrade the electrode and reduce battery lifespan. The film maintains lithium ion conductivity while blocking direct contact between reactive lithium and electrolyte components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer acts as an intermediary between the lithium metal electrode and the electrolyte. It mediates the interaction by allowing necessary lithium ion transport while preventing harmful chemical reactions, thus extending battery lifespan without sacrificing capacity.
3Productivity
If a three-dimensional porous structure is used to enhance charge and discharge performance, then output properties are improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a three-dimensional porous structure in the electrode design. This porous architecture increases the surface area available for electrochemical reactions, thereby enhancing charge and discharge performance and output properties while maintaining a manufacturable structure.
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 tube-shaped structure improves battery safety and performance by inhibiting dendrite formation and reducing reactions with the electrolyte, thereby enhancing the functional aspects of lithium secondary batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a structure (10) comprising a tube (11) having one side surface or both side surfaces open; a metal (13) included on an inner surface of the tube (11); and lithium metal (14) formed on the metal (13)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An electrode and a lithium secondary battery including the same. By preparing an electrode including an electrode active layer formed using a structure capable of supporting an electrode active material, safety and charge and discharge properties of a battery are improved due to morphological characteristics of the electrode active material being supported inside the structure.