Electrode structure for secondary batteries including a potential barrier and manufacturing method thereof

SEI-suppressing nanowire anode structure with electrolyte separation via a graphene foam potential barrier

This technology uses a conductive potential barrier (such as graphene foam) to separate the electrolyte into an external electrolyte and an internal electrolyte in contact with the nanostructured anode active material. During charging, it induces the formation of a potential difference and an SEI layer only at the external electrolyte interface, thereby suppressing side reactions on the active material surface.

High-capacity anode materials like silicon undergo significant volume changes during charge and discharge cycles, causing the Solid-Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer at the electrode interface to repeatedly break and reform. This leads to gradual capacity degradation and shortened cycle life.

This technology utilizes a 3D micro-tubular graphene foam as a potential barrier to physically and electrically isolate the internal electrolyte, preventing SEI layer formation on the surface of nanowire active materials, such as nickel silicide, grown within the internal space. Applicable to EV batteries using silicon-based high-capacity anodes or power tool batteries requiring high-rate charge/discharge, it keeps the active material surface pristine through repeated charging, favoring long-term capacity retention.

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Key Features:

• Conductive potential barrier separating the electrolyte into an external electrolyte in contact with the cathode and an internal electrolyte in contact with the nanostructures
• Multiple nanostructures formed on the surface where the internal electrolyte is located within the internal electrolyte containment space created by the potential barrier
• Continuous 3D micro-tubular graphene foam structure where a potential difference is formed on the side facing the external electrolyte during battery charging
• Step of leaving a portion of the nickel foam template on the inner surface of the graphene foam and using it as a seed to grow nanowires

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning for the development of 3D nano-architecture hybrid materials and devices for human interfaces, as well as the development of manufacturing processes for high-performance cathode/anode materials and electrodes.

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