Wide Negative Electrode SEI Formation for Thermal-Stable Li-Ion Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonaqueous electrolyte solution secondary batteries with higher capacity face challenges in uniform film formation on the negative electrode active material layer, leading to uneven reactivity and decreased thermal stability, particularly at the central part of the electrode, resulting in increased heat generation during overcharging.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a boron element into the negative electrode active material layer and employing a specific manufacturing and inspection method that includes initial charging and aging steps under controlled temperature conditions to adjust the black unevenness index to 12 or less, ensuring uniform film formation and improved thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the electrode body width is increased to 15 cm or more to achieve higher capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the additive permeation becomes insufficient in the central part, causing uneven film formation and decreased thermal stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing an aging process before the battery is put into service. During this aging process, the battery is held at a temperature of 40°C or higher for a specific period, which promotes uniform film formation across the entire electrode surface, including the central part that would otherwise have insufficient additive permeation. This preliminary treatment ensures uniform reactivity and thermal stability before the battery enters normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the electrode body width is increased to 15 cm or more to achieve higher capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the film formation uniformity decreases due to reduced additive permeation in the central part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidfilm formation uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing an aging process before the battery is put into service. During this aging process, the battery is held at a temperature of 40°C or higher for a specific period, which promotes uniform film formation across the entire electrode surface, including the central part that would otherwise have insufficient additive permeation. This preliminary treatment ensures uniform reactivity and thermal stability before the battery enters normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolyte composition is used in large-capacity batteries, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the central part of the electrode exhibits high reactivity and low thermal stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the electrolyte composition to include a specific additive at a concentration of 0.01 wt% or higher. This compositional change, combined with the aging process at elevated temperature, ensures uniform film formation and consistent thermal stability across the entire electrode, including the central part, without significantly increasing manufacturing cost.

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 method effectively suppresses heat generation and enhances thermal stability by ensuring uniform film formation across the negative electrode, providing a battery with improved reliability and reduced temperature increases during overcharging.

Implementation Method 1

at initial charging, a part of the nonaqueous electrolyte solution is decomposed and a film including a decomposition product thereof (solid electrolyte interface film: SEI film) is deposited on a surface of a negative electrode active material layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

a surface of the negative electrode is photographed with a camera so as to include a central part of the negative electrode active material layer in a width direction and photographed image data expressed in an RGB color model is acquired

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotography: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP4425591A1Nonaqueous electrolyte solution secondary battery, and manufacturing method and inspection method for the same
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4425591A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4425591A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4425591A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A nonaqueous electrolyte solution secondary battery (100) disclosed herein includes an electrode body (20) that includes a positive electrode (22) including a positive electrode active material layer (22a) and a negative electrode (24) including a negative electrode active material layer (24a), and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The negative electrode active material layer (24a) has a width of 15 cm or more and includes a film containing a boron element, and a black unevenness index is 12 or less.