Flexible electrode for flexible lithium secondary batteries, method for manufacturing the same, and high-energy-density flexible lithium secondary battery containing the same

Flexible electrodes integrating active materials and electrolytes via thermally induced phase separation

This technology utilizes a thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process to create a porous electrode structure in which conductive agents, active materials, and electrolytes are uniformly impregnated within a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, achieving both flexibility and high energy density.

Conventional lithium secondary battery electrodes are rigid, leading to electrode detachment and structural collapse under physical deformation. Conversely, reducing the loading amount to improve flexibility results in a decrease in energy density.

By mixing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, conductive agents, active materials, and electrolytes in a specific mass ratio (1:0.05–0.3:0.1–0.4:2–5) and subjecting the mixture to heating and cooling between 100–200°C to induce phase separation, this technology offers a practical solution for the development of next-generation secondary battery electrolytes.

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Key Features:

• An electrode comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer structure formed by thermally induced phase separation, with conductive agents and active materials distributed within it.
• An electrolyte impregnated within the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer structure to provide ion conduction pathways.
• A flexible electrode composed of polyvinylidene fluoride polymer, conductive agents, active materials, and electrolytes in a defined mass ratio.
• A process of forming a porous electrode via thermally induced phase separation by mixing and heating polyvinylidene fluoride polymer, conductive agents, and active materials.

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