Background
With the progress of mankind and the rapid development of socioeconomic performance, the energy problem has become one of the important problems to be solved for the first time. The lithium ion secondary battery has the characteristics of small volume, high energy density and the like, and is widely used as a main current power supply in various electronic products. As a commercial silicon cathode of a lithium ion battery, graphite cannot meet the high-capacity requirement of the next generation of electronic products due to the safety problem caused by low theoretical specific capacity (372mAh g-1) and very low working voltage, and is not enough to be used as the silicon cathode of the next generation of lithium ion battery. Silicon has extremely high theoretical specific capacity (4200mAh g-1), lower electrochemical reaction voltage (less than 0.5V), environmental friendliness and abundant resource reserves, arouses the attention of more and more researchers, and is considered to be one of the most promising materials capable of replacing graphite to become the silicon negative electrode of the next generation of lithium ion battery.
Although silicon has many advantages as a silicon negative electrode for lithium ion batteries, there are some problems. Firstly, the volume expansion rate of silicon after complete lithiation can reach 320%, and the volume expansion rate of the traditional graphite negative electrode after lithium intercalation is only 6% -10%. This large volume change can create large stresses in the silicon negative electrode, leading to fracture and collapse of the electrode structure, resulting in loss of electrical contact and irreversible capacity loss. At the same time, the generation of stress also leads to agglomeration of active material particles, leading to an increase in lithium ion diffusion length and a reduction in rate capability. Another disadvantage is that a Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) film is continuously formed on the surface of the silicon negative electrode, which results in irreversible depletion of electrolyte and lithium source from the positive electrode, thus further resulting in low coulombic efficiency and poor cycle life. In addition, silicon has a low intrinsic conductivity as a semiconductor, making it have poor rate capability.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention aims to provide a porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode, which solves the problems of low coulombic efficiency and poor cycle life caused by electric contact loss, irreversible capacity loss, reduction of multiplying power performance, and the like due to the fracture and collapse of an electrode structure caused by stress in the prior art.
The invention also aims to provide a preparation method of the porous conductive soft suspension silicon negative electrode.
The invention adopts the technical scheme that the porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode consists of rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler, wherein the total mass fraction is 100%, the rubber accounts for 10% -80%, the silicon particles account for 10% -90%, and the conductive filler accounts for 1% -40%.
The invention adopts another technical scheme that a preparation method of the porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode is implemented according to the following steps:
step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
diluting rubber serving as a matrix by adding a diluent to obtain a rubber matrix; mixing silicon particles and conductive filler into an organic solvent for dilution and dispersion, adding a coupling agent according to the requirement, uniformly stirring, adding the mixture into a rubber matrix, stirring, adding a catalyst and a crosslinking agent according to the difference of the rubber matrix in the stirring process, and continuously stirring until the mixture is uniform to obtain slurry;
step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
adding salt particles into the slurry and uniformly stirring to obtain mixed slurry;
and step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; then, according to the difference of the rubber matrix, vulcanizing the rubber matrix in different vulcanization modes to obtain a semi-finished pole piece;
and 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
slicing the semi-finished pole piece, and salting out with distilled water;
and 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and drying the pole piece subjected to salt precipitation to obtain the pole piece.
The beneficial effects of the invention are that the invention comprises the following aspects:
1) the silicon cathode with a pore structure is prepared by taking rubber as a matrix, adding conductive filler, silicon particles and salt, mixing, vulcanizing and salting out, and can improve the capacity of the battery. The rubber material is adhered to the polar plate after vulcanization, so that the falling of the electrode material is prevented.
2) The prepared silicon cathode has a pore structure, and the pore structure obtained by salt precipitation can provide enough space for volume expansion in the charging and discharging processes of the silicon particle silicon cathode and accommodate the expansion of the silicon cathode, so that the damage to the overall structure of the silicon cathode is avoided, and the cycle performance of the battery is improved.
3) Meanwhile, the pore structure has a large specific surface area, so that a soaking field can be provided for electrolyte in the silicon cathode, and the cycle performance of the battery is improved.
4) The conductive filler with good conductivity is used, so that a conductive network is formed between the conductive filler dispersed in the rubber matrix and the silicon, thereby improving the conductivity of the silicon cathode and being beneficial to fully exerting the high gram capacity performance of the silicon particles.
5) At present, most of commonly used silicon cathodes are of nanometer structures, the process is complex, the cost is high, and industrial production is difficult to realize. The preparation method has the advantages of wide source of selected raw materials, low cost, simple preparation process, wide application range and easy production.
Detailed Description
The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following embodiments.
The porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode consists of 100 percent of rubber, 10 to 80 percent of silicon particles and 1 to 40 percent of conductive filler, wherein the total mass fraction of the porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode is rubber, the total mass fraction of the porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode is silicon particles and the total mass fraction of the porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode is rubber; wherein the rubber is No. 107 rubber, vinyl silicone oil (DY-V401), methyl rubber, methyl vinyl rubber, methyl phenyl vinyl rubber or fluororubber; the grain diameter of the silicon particles is 10nm-5 mu m; the conductive filler is copper powder, silver powder or conductive carbon black.
The porous conductive soft suspension silicon negative electrode takes rubber as a substrate, is attached to copper foil and has a foam porous structure prepared by a salt precipitation method.
The preparation method of the porous conductive soft suspension silicon cathode is implemented according to the following steps:
step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
diluting rubber serving as a matrix by adding a diluent to obtain a rubber matrix; mixing silicon particles and conductive filler into a proper amount of organic solvent for dilution and dispersion, adding a coupling agent according to the requirement, uniformly stirring, adding the mixture into a rubber matrix, stirring, adding a catalyst and a cross-linking agent according to the difference of the rubber matrix in the stirring process, and continuously stirring until the mixture is uniform to obtain the slurry.
The diluent is selected from dimethyl silicone oil;
the organic solvent is n-hexane or absolute ethyl alcohol;
the coupling agent is selected from silane coupling agent or titanate coupling agent, and the performance can be improved after the coupling agent is added, but the coupling agent is not required to be used, and the specific reference is made to the following examples;
the catalyst is dibutyltin dilaurate, the selection of the catalyst is different according to different rubber substrates, and for the condensation vulcanization type rubber, the catalyst can be organic tin, titanate, amine and the like; for addition vulcanization type rubbers, the catalyst may be a platinum complex, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium complex, or the like;
the cross-linking agent is ethyl orthosilicate, the selection of the cross-linking agent is different according to different rubber matrixes, and for the condensation vulcanization type rubber, the cross-linking agent can be polyalkoxysilane, polybutyloxime silane and the like; for addition-vulcanization type rubbers, the crosslinking agent is hydrogen-containing silicone oil;
step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
adding salt particles into the slurry obtained in the previous step, and uniformly stirring to obtain mixed slurry;
wherein the mass fraction of the salt particles is 20-350% of the mass of the slurry;
and step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; then, according to the difference of the rubber matrix, vulcanizing the rubber matrix in different vulcanization modes to obtain a semi-finished pole piece;
the vulcanization time is different according to the rubber matrix and the content thereof;
and 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
slicing the semi-finished pole piece, and salting out with distilled water;
the water is heated or treated by ultrasonic wave to accelerate the salt separation speed, and the water can be changed for many times to ensure that the salt is completely separated;
and 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and drying the pole piece subjected to salt precipitation to remove water in the pole piece, and thus obtaining the pole piece.
Example 1
Step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
no. 107 rubber is selected as a matrix, and 5% of simethicone (diluent) by mass is added, and the mixture is uniformly stirred for later use. Adding silicon particles with the mass fraction of 20 percent and copper powder with the mass fraction of 40 percent into a proper amount of organic solvent (n-hexane), adding a coupling agent (silane coupling agent) with the mass fraction of 3 percent, and uniformly stirring. Adding a cross-linking agent (ethyl orthosilicate) and a catalyst (dibutyltin dilaurate) in the stirring process, and uniformly stirring.
Step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
and adding 100 mass percent of sodium chloride into the mixed slurry, and uniformly stirring.
And step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry prepared in the previous step on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; placing in a cool and ventilated place, and standing at room temperature for 12 h.
And 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
and cutting the vulcanized semi-finished pole piece into round sheets, putting the round sheets into distilled water, cleaning for 1.5 hours under an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and cleaning for 0.5 hour after water is changed.
And 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and (4) putting the prepared pole piece finished product into an oven, drying for 30min, and taking out.
Example 2
Step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
no. 107 rubber is selected as a matrix, and 5% of simethicone (diluent) by mass is added, and the mixture is uniformly stirred for later use. Adding 40 mass percent of 1-micron silicon particles and 10 mass percent of conductive carbon black into a proper amount of organic solvent (n-hexane), adding 3 mass percent of coupling agent (silane coupling agent), and uniformly stirring. Adding a cross-linking agent (ethyl orthosilicate) and a catalyst (dibutyltin dilaurate) in the stirring process, and uniformly stirring.
Step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
and adding 100 mass percent of sodium chloride into the mixed slurry, and uniformly stirring.
And step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry prepared in the previous step on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; placing in a cool and ventilated place, and standing at room temperature for 12 h.
And 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
and cutting the vulcanized semi-finished pole piece into round sheets, putting the round sheets into distilled water, cleaning for 1.5 hours under an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and cleaning for 0.5 hour after water is changed.
And 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and (4) putting the prepared pole piece finished product into an oven, drying for 30min, and taking out.
Example 3
Step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
no. 107 rubber is selected as a matrix, and 5% of simethicone (diluent) by mass is added, and the mixture is uniformly stirred for later use. Adding 25 mass percent of 500nm silicon particles and 40 mass percent of 800nm copper powder into a proper amount of organic solvent (n-hexane), adding 3 mass percent of coupling agent (titanate coupling agent), and uniformly stirring. Adding a cross-linking agent (ethyl orthosilicate) and a catalyst (dibutyltin dilaurate) in the stirring process, and uniformly stirring.
Step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
and adding 250 mass percent of sodium chloride into the mixed slurry, and uniformly stirring.
And step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry prepared in the previous step on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; placing in a cool and ventilated place, and standing at room temperature for 12 h.
And 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
and cutting the vulcanized semi-finished pole piece into round sheets, putting the round sheets into distilled water, cleaning for 1.5 hours under an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and cleaning for 0.5 hour after water is changed.
And 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and (4) putting the prepared pole piece finished product into an oven, drying for 30min, and taking out.
Example 4
Step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
no. 107 rubber is selected as a matrix, and 5% of simethicone (diluent) by mass is added, and the mixture is uniformly stirred for later use. Adding 1-micron silicon particles with the mass fraction of 20% and conductive carbon black with the mass fraction of 10% into a proper amount of organic solvent (n-hexane), adding a coupling agent (silane coupling agent) with the mass fraction of 3%, and uniformly stirring. Adding a cross-linking agent (ethyl orthosilicate) and a catalyst (dibutyltin dilaurate) in the stirring process, and uniformly stirring.
Step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
and adding 250 mass percent of sodium chloride into the mixed slurry, and uniformly stirring.
And step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry prepared in the previous step on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; placing in a cool and ventilated place, and standing at room temperature for 12 h.
And 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
and cutting the vulcanized semi-finished pole piece into round sheets, putting the round sheets into distilled water, cleaning for 1.5 hours under an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and cleaning for 0.5 hour after water is changed.
And 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and (4) putting the prepared pole piece finished product into an oven, drying for 30min, and taking out.
Example 5
Step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
vinyl silicone oil (DY-V401) is selected as a matrix, and 5% by mass of dimethyl silicone oil (diluent) is added and uniformly stirred for later use. Adding 25% by mass of 1 μm silicon particles and 40% by mass of 1 μm copper powder into a proper amount of organic solvent (absolute ethyl alcohol), adding 3% by mass of coupling agent (silane coupling agent), and stirring uniformly. Adding a cross-linking agent (hydrogen-containing silicone oil) and a catalyst (platinum) in the stirring process, and uniformly stirring.
Step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
and adding 150 mass percent of sodium chloride into the mixed slurry, and uniformly stirring.
And step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry prepared in the previous step on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; and (5) placing the mixture in a cool and ventilated place, and standing the mixture for 24 hours at room temperature.
And 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
and cutting the vulcanized semi-finished pole piece into round sheets, putting the round sheets into distilled water, cleaning for 1.5 hours under an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and cleaning for 0.5 hour after water is changed.
And 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and (4) putting the prepared pole piece finished product into an oven, drying for 30min, and taking out.
Example 6
Step 1: mixing rubber, silicon particles and conductive filler,
vinyl silicone oil (DY-V401) is selected as a matrix, and 5% by mass of dimethyl silicone oil (diluent) is added and uniformly stirred for later use. Adding 25% by mass of 1 micron silicon particles and 20% by mass of conductive carbon black copper powder into a proper amount of organic solvent (absolute ethyl alcohol), adding 3% by mass of coupling agent (titanate coupling agent), and uniformly stirring. Adding a cross-linking agent (hydrogen-containing silicone oil) and a catalyst (platinum) in the stirring process, and uniformly stirring.
Step 2: adding salt particles into the slurry and stirring the mixture,
and adding 100 mass percent of sodium chloride into the mixed slurry, and uniformly stirring.
And step 3: the rubber composition is a vulcanized rubber composition,
coating the mixed slurry prepared in the previous step on a copper foil polar plate, and carrying out strickling treatment; and (5) placing the mixture in a cool and ventilated place, and standing the mixture for 24 hours at room temperature.
And 4, step 4: the salt is separated out and treated by the method,
and cutting the vulcanized semi-finished pole piece into round sheets, putting the round sheets into distilled water, cleaning for 1.5 hours under an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and cleaning for 0.5 hour after water is changed.
And 5: the mixture is dried and then is dried,
and (4) putting the prepared pole piece finished product into an oven, drying for 30min, and taking out.
The performance tests performed on the finished products prepared in the six examples of the invention were as follows:
1) testing the specific capacity of the battery: the specific capacity test is to cut the coated single-sided pole piece into a wafer with the diameter of 15mm, then use the lithium sheet as a counter electrode to manufacture a CR2016 button battery, and test the button battery on test equipment to obtain the material performance. The test results are shown in table 1.
2) And (3) testing the cycle performance: the button half-cell is circularly scanned by controlling a certain voltage range, the current magnitude at different voltages is recorded, and the electrochemical reaction mechanism of the electrode material is determined by the voltage interval of each current peak. The test cell was charged with 80mA constant current for 960min, limited to 4.2V, and 160mA constant current to 3.0V, and then its initial capacity was obtained. The discharging step was repeated 50 times, and the discharge capacity after 50 cycles was recorded, and the discharge capacity retention rate was calculated according to the following formula. The test results are shown in table 1.
The discharge capacity retention rate is defined as discharge capacity after 50 cycles/initial discharge capacity × 100%.
TABLE 1 Performance test results for six examples of the invention
As is apparent from table 1 above, the silicon negative electrode of the present invention has a higher specific capacity and a better rate discharge characteristic than the existing silicon negative electrode, further improves the performance of the existing silicon negative electrode, and further meets the requirements of the existing high performance battery.