Method for manufacturing a stretchable lithium metal electrode with high ductility and low resistance, and a stretchable lithium metal electrode manufactured using the same

Stretchable lithium electrode with enhanced ductility via lithium-philic metal coating on a porous mat

This technology involves manufacturing a lithium metal electrode by coating a porous mat structure, produced via electrospinning, with a lithium-philic metal (such as Ag), applying a binder, and then electrochemically alloying and plating lithium. This process ensures low sheet resistance and high structural stability even when stretched.

Existing lithium metal electrodes face challenges such as efficiency degradation, internal short circuits, and fire risks caused by dendrite growth during repeated charge/discharge cycles. Furthermore, implementing flexible or stretchable electrodes has been hindered by increased electrical resistance and a lack of physical resilience during stretching.

This technology utilizes a stretchable copolymer-based (e.g., SBS) porous mat as a primary structure. By coating it with a lithium-philic metal like silver (Ag) and applying a binder, it secures lithium-ion transport pathways and stabilizes the structure, which can be applied to improve the stability and cycle life of secondary batteries.

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Key Features:

• Manufacturing a primary structure with a porous mat configuration by dissolving a stretchable copolymer in an organic solvent
• Manufacturing a secondary structure by coating the porous mat primary structure with a lithium-philic metal
• Manufacturing a tertiary structure by applying a binder to the metal-coated secondary structure
• Manufacturing a lithium metal electrode that maintains low sheet resistance during stretching by alloying and plating lithium onto the tertiary structure

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