X-ray Diffraction for Non-destructive Electrode Density and Porosity Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring electrode density and porosity in lithium secondary batteries are destructive, time-consuming, and costly, requiring electrode sampling and complex processes.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive method using X-ray diffraction to measure electrode density and porosity by obtaining and analyzing the relative intensities of diffraction peaks, specifically the I peak in parallel and perpendicular directions, allowing for efficient calculation of electrode properties without damaging the electrode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If destructive sampling method is used to measure electrode density and porosity, then measurement can be performed, but electrode is damaged and measurement time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode density and porosity measurementVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical destructive sampling method with X-ray diffraction technology. Instead of physically cutting and dissolving electrode samples to measure density and porosity, the invention uses X-ray beams to obtain diffraction patterns that correlate with these properties. This substitution eliminates the need for physical destruction of electrodes while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If destructive sampling method is used to measure electrode density and porosity, then measurement can be performed, but electrode is damaged and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode density and porosity measurementVSAvoidelectrode material
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical destructive sampling method with X-ray diffraction technology. Instead of physically cutting and dissolving electrode samples to measure density and porosity, the invention uses X-ray beams to obtain diffraction patterns that correlate with these properties. This substitution eliminates the need for physical destruction of electrodes while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If complex dissolution process is used to measure electrode properties, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode properties measurementVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex chemical dissolution process with X-ray diffraction measurement. Instead of dissolving electrode base materials in predetermined solvents to isolate and measure active material properties, the invention directly measures X-ray diffraction patterns from the intact electrode. The diffraction peak intensities provide information about electrode density and porosity without requiring any chemical processing, thus eliminating process complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If X-ray diffraction method is used to measure electrode density and porosity, then non-destructive measurement is achieved, but measurement method complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-destructive measurementVSAvoidmeasurement method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes in the X-ray diffraction measurement system to simplify the overall process. By adjusting and optimizing parameters such as X-ray wavelength, diffraction angle ranges, and peak intensity analysis methods, the invention achieves non-destructive measurement with a relatively simple operational procedure. The established correlation between diffraction peak intensities and electrode properties provides a straightforward measurement protocol that balances ease of operation with measurement capability.

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

Enables accurate and efficient measurement of electrode density and porosity with high correlation coefficients, reducing errors and production costs by avoiding destructive sampling and simplifying the measurement process.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining an I peak in parallel direction/I peak in perpendicular direction value of an electrode active material by X-ray diffraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

X-ray diffraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2995936B1Method for measuring electrode density and electrode porosity
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2995936B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2995936B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP2995936B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Provided are methods of measuring electrode density and electrode porosity using X-ray diffraction. According to the methods of measuring electrode density and porosity of the present invention, electrode density and porosity may be efficiently measured by a non-destructive method using X-ray diffraction.