Zinc Anode Gel Electrolyte Dendrite Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Zinc anodes in cells face challenges with dendrite formation leading to short circuits, especially after repeated charge and discharge cycles, and conventional solid electrolytes cause issues like cracking and poor ion conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A zinc anode with an anion conducting material containing a polymer and specific compounds from groups 1 to 17 of the periodic table is used to cover the active material layer, preventing metal ion diffusion and dendrite growth, and a solid electrolyte with polyvalent ions and inorganic compounds is introduced to maintain ion and electron conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional solid electrolytes are introduced to prevent dendrite formation, then dendrite growth is suppressed, but the solid electrolyte expands or contracts causing cracks in the electrode active material layer and deteriorating contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedendrite preventionVSAvoidcontact integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from solid to gel form, which allows the electrolyte to accommodate volume changes during charge-discharge cycles without causing mechanical stress or cracks in the electrode structure, thereby maintaining contact integrity while preventing dendrite formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining gel electrolyte with electrode materials, where the gel phase provides both ionic conductivity and mechanical flexibility to prevent dendrite growth while accommodating electrode expansion and contraction without causing structural failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional solid electrolytes are used to improve safety, then safety is enhanced, but ion conductivity is insufficient leading to poor cell performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidion conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrolyte state from solid to gel, which significantly improves ion conductivity compared to solid electrolytes while maintaining the safety advantages of non-flammable electrolyte systems, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and power performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If zinc anode is used to reduce cost and improve safety, then cost and safety are improved, but zinc dendrites grow causing short circuits after repeated charge and discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidshort circuit prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gel electrolyte acts as an intermediary between the zinc anode and the electrolyte solution, providing a controlled interface that suppresses zinc dendrite formation while allowing efficient ion transport, thus maintaining the cost-effectiveness of zinc anodes while improving their reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Power

If active material layer is used to achieve high energy density, then energy density is improved, but the active material deforms during charge and discharge causing deterioration of contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcontact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrolyte to gel form which provides mechanical support and stabilizes the contact between active material particles during charge-discharge cycles, preventing deformation and maintaining electrical connectivity while preserving high energy density

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

This solution effectively prevents short circuits due to dendrite formation, maintains high cell performance, and ensures safe, efficient operation with a water-containing electrolyte solution, improving cycle life and ion conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

anion conducting material that tends to allow anions involved in cell reactions, such as hydroxide ion, to permeate it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

sufficiently prevents diffusion of metal ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon diffusion prevention: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 3

solid electrolyte with polyvalent ions and inorganic compounds is introduced to maintain ion and electron conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

prevents growth of crystal dendrites and short circuits due to dendrite growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDendrite growth prevention:

Data Source

PatentUS10573927B2Electrode precursor, electrode, and cell

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides an electrode which is a zinc anode or an electrode of any other type, and ensures good durability and sufficiently high ion conductivity, and sufficiently improves the cell performance when used in a cell, and also provides its precursor. The present invention relates to an electrode which includes a current collector and an active material layer containing an active material, and further includes a specific anion conducting material or a specific solid electrolyte.