CN116053715A - A preparation device and method for a non-metallic current collector tab - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a device and a method for preparing a nonmetal current collector lug, wherein the main mechanism of the device is provided with an inert gas bottle, a first vacuum box and a second vacuum box; in the preparation method, the first vacuum box is subjected to vacuum treatment and filled with inert gas, metal materials in the first vacuum box are heated to obtain mixed steam of metal steam and the inert gas, the nonmetallic current collector is unreeled in the second vacuum box, the mixed steam in the first vacuum box is sprayed onto the nonmetallic current collector through a pipeline and a spray head while passing through a cooling mechanism, cooled and condensed through the cooling mechanism, and finally the nonmetallic current collector tab is rolled in the second vacuum box. The invention adopts the semi-vacuum spraying technology, and the metal vapor obtained by the inert gas protection evaporation is prevented from being oxidized in the manufacturing process, so that the processing difficulty of the non-metal current collector tab is greatly reduced, and the problem that the non-metal base tab is difficult to weld or even can not be ultrasonically welded is solved.

Description

A kind of preparation device and method of non-metallic current collector tab

technical field

The invention belongs to the technical field of lithium-ion battery manufacturing, and more specifically relates to a preparation device and method for non-metallic current collector tabs.

Background technique

With the rapid development of electric vehicles, electric vehicles with long cruising range are favored by consumers, and the long cruising range of electric vehicles can satisfy people to realize the journey between provinces or cities. However, long-range electric vehicles require batteries with high energy density. One of the ways to increase the energy density of batteries is to reduce the weight of single cells. Therefore, non-metallic current collectors emerge at the historic moment, which have a very low weight, which is 50%-200% lower than traditional metal-based current collectors. The energy density of lithium-ion batteries prepared by non-metallic current collectors is higher than that of metal-based current collectors. Lithium-ion batteries prepared by current collectors are twice as high. However, after the non-metallic base tab is obtained by cutting the non-metallic current collector, in the subsequent welding process of the non-metallic base tab, the non-metallic base tab is not easy to weld, and even ultrasonic welding cannot be performed.

Contents of the invention

In order to solve the problems described in the background technology, the present invention provides a non-metallic current collector tab preparation device and method.

The preparation device of the present invention comprises an inert gas bottle, a first vacuum box and a second vacuum box; the outlet of the inert gas bottle is connected with the first vacuum box, and the first vacuum box is connected with the second vacuum box through a pipeline , the pipeline is provided with a control valve to control the opening and closing; the first vacuum box is provided with an evaporation boat for placing metal materials, and the heating source of the evaporation boat is arranged outside the first vacuum box; the second vacuum box Second, the vacuum box is provided with a baffle mechanism for controlling the spraying width of the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas, and the baffle mechanism is provided with a cooling mechanism for cooling the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas, and the baffle mechanism has two An unwinding mechanism for unwinding the non-metallic current collector and a winding mechanism for winding the tabs of the non-metallic current collector are respectively provided on the side; a cooling mechanism for spraying mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas is provided above the cooling mechanism. A spray pipe connected to the end of the pipe in the second vacuum box.

The preparation method of the present invention comprises the following steps:

Step 1, put the metal material into the evaporation boat in the first vacuum box, and seal the first vacuum box and evacuate it;

Step 2. Inject a certain amount of inert gas into the above-mentioned first vacuum box, and then heat the evaporation boat to the evaporation temperature of the metal material to obtain a mixed vapor of metal vapor and inert gas;

Step 3. After the second vacuum box is evacuated, the temperature of the cooling mechanism in the second vacuum box reaches the set value;

Step 4: After the non-metallic current collector is unwound in the second vacuum box, while passing through the cooling mechanism, the mixed steam in the first vacuum box is sprayed onto the non-metallic current collector through the pipeline and the nozzle, cooled and condensed by the cooling mechanism, and finally collected Roll to obtain non-metallic current collector tabs.

Further, in the first step, the metal material includes at least one of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or nickel.

Furthermore, in the first step, the process of evacuating the first vacuum box is: firstly evacuate the first vacuum box, then fill the first vacuum box with inert gas, and finally pump the first vacuum box again vacuum. This process washes the first vacuum box with inert gas to prevent residual air from polluting subsequent metal vapors. The pressure of the first vacuum box after preliminary vacuuming is -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa, the first vacuum box is filled with an inert gas to 0MPa, and the pressure of the first vacuum box after vacuuming again is -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa. The inert gas is any one of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, preferably helium and argon.

Further, in the second step, the amount of inert gas injected into the first vacuum box is 10-60% of the volume of the entire first vacuum box.

Furthermore, in the second step, the heating temperature of the evaporation boat is 1000-1600°C.

Further, in the third step, the pressure of the second vacuum box after evacuation is -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa.

Furthermore, in the third step, the cooling mechanism in the second vacuum box includes cooling rollers, and the temperature is 20-100°C.

Further, in the step 4, the relationship between the unwinding and winding speed of the non-metallic current collector and the spray flow rate of the mixed steam is:

ρyzv ₁ /10000=v ₂ ,

Among them, ρ is the density of metal material, g/cm ³ ; v ₁ is the speed of unwinding and winding of non-metallic current collector, unit cm/min; v ₂ is the spray flow rate of mixed steam, unit g/min, z is The spray thickness of the mixed steam, in μm; y is the spray width of the mixed steam, in cm.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention vacuumizes the first vacuum box and fills it with a certain amount of inert gas, heats the metal material therein to obtain the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas, and then sprays it on the non- The metal current collector is cooled on the metal collector to obtain the non-metallic collector tab; the invention adopts the semi-vacuum spraying technology, and uses the inert gas to protect the metal vapor obtained by evaporation, so as to avoid its oxidation during the manufacturing process. The processing difficulty of the lug solves the problem that the non-metallic base lug is not easy to be welded or even ultrasonically welded.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of the preparation device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the tab of the non-metallic current collector during the preparation process of the present invention.

Explanation of reference signs:

1-Inert gas bottle; 2-First vacuum box; 3-Heating source; 4-Metal material; 5-Evaporation boat; 6-Control valve; 7-Nozzle; 8-Unwinding mechanism; 9-Rewinding mechanism; 10-baffle mechanism; 11-cooling mechanism; 12-second vacuum box; 13-pipeline; A-tab area; B-non-metallic current collector; C-baffle.

Detailed ways

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

The structure schematic diagram of the preparation device of the non-metallic current collector tab is shown in FIG. 1 , and the main mechanisms include an inert gas bottle 1 , a first vacuum box 2 and a second vacuum box 12 .

The outlet of the inert gas bottle 1 is connected to the first vacuum box 2, and the first vacuum box 2 is connected to the second vacuum box 12 through a pipeline 13, and the pipeline 13 is provided with a control valve 6 for controlling opening and closing.

Specifically, the first vacuum box 2 is provided with an evaporation boat 5 for placing the metal material 4 , and the heating source 3 of the evaporation boat 5 is arranged outside the first vacuum box 2 .

The second vacuum box 12 is provided with a baffle mechanism 10 for controlling the spraying range of the mixed steam, and a cooling mechanism 11 is provided in the baffle mechanism 10; The baffle plate C, the cooling mechanism 11 can be a cooling roller, which is used to cool the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas; the two sides of the baffle plate mechanism 10 are respectively provided with an unwinding mechanism 8 and a winding mechanism 9, and the unwinding mechanism 8 is used for unwinding Roll the non-metallic current collector B, and the winding mechanism 9 is used for winding the non-metallic current collector tab; the top of the cooling mechanism 11 is provided with a nozzle 7 for spraying the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas, and the nozzle 7 is connected with the The ends of the pipes 13 in the second vacuum box 12 are connected.

The present invention proposes a method for preparing a non-metallic current collector tab, the steps are as follows:

Step 1. Put the metal material 4 into the evaporation boat 5 in the first vacuum box 2, and seal the first vacuum box 2 and vacuumize it.

Specifically, the metal material 4 includes at least one of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or nickel. That is, the metal material 4 is not limited to the above-mentioned metals and alloys, as long as the non-metallic current collector tab can be prepared by the preparation method.

More specifically, the process of evacuating the first vacuum box 2 is as follows: firstly evacuate the first vacuum box 2 at a pressure of -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa; then fill the first vacuum box 2 with an inert gas to 0MPa ; Finally, the first vacuum box 2 is evacuated again, and the pressure is -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa. In this process, the first vacuum box 2 is washed with inert gas to prevent residual air from polluting subsequent metal vapors.

Step 2: Inject a certain amount of inert gas into the first vacuum box 2, and then heat the evaporation boat 5 to the evaporation temperature of the metal material 4 to obtain a mixed vapor of metal vapor and inert gas.

Specifically, the inert gas can be any one of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, and the amount of inert gas injected in the first vacuum box 2 is 10-60% of the volume of the whole first vacuum box 2; 1000-1600°C, depending on the material of the metal material 4 .

Step 3: After the second vacuum box 12 is evacuated, the temperature of the cooling mechanism 11 in the second vacuum box 12 reaches a set value.

Specifically, the pressure after the second vacuum box 12 is evacuated is -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa; the cooling mechanism 11 in the second vacuum box 12 includes cooling rollers, and the temperature is 20-100°C.

Step 4: The non-metallic current collector B is unrolled by the unwinding mechanism 8, and while passing through the cooling mechanism 11, the mixed steam in the first vacuum box 2 is sprayed onto the non-metallic current collector B through the cooling mechanism 11 through the pipeline 13 and the nozzle 7 Cool and condense, and finally wind up by the winding mechanism 9 to obtain non-metallic current collector tabs.

Obviously, after the unwinding and winding speed of the non-metallic current collector B is stabilized, the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas is sprayed, so that the thickness of the sprayed metal is stable.

Specifically, the relationship between the unwinding and winding speed of the non-metallic current collector B and the spray flow rate of the mixed steam is:

ρyzv ₁ /10000=v ₂ ①,

Wherein ρ is the density of metal material 4, g/cm ³ ; v ₁ is the speed of unwinding and winding of non-metallic current collector B, unit cm/min; v ₂ is the spray flow rate of mixed steam, unit g/min, z is the spray thickness of the mixed steam, in μm; y is the spray width of the mixed steam, in cm.

The top view of the tab of the non-metallic current collector during the preparation process is shown in Figure 2. The middle of the non-metallic current collector B is provided with a square baffle C, so that the mixed steam is sprayed on the non-metallic current collector B. On both sides, the tab area A is obtained. Therefore, by adjusting the width and setting position of the baffle C, the spraying range of the mixed steam can be controlled, that is, the width and position of the lug area A can be controlled.

The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the specific examples. It must be noted that the various materials in the preparation method are only taken a part in the specific examples, and all materials in the preparation method are not all listed. The specific examples only use In order to explain the present invention more clearly, and further embody the beneficial effects of the present invention.

Example 1

In this embodiment, aluminum with a purity >99% is selected as the metal material 4, and an aluminum tab with a width y of 2 cm and a thickness z of 4 μm is prepared on the non-metallic current collector B. The inert gas used in this example is argon.

First put the metal material 4 into the evaporation boat 5 in the first vacuum box 2, then evacuate the first vacuum box to -0.095MPa, then fill it with high-purity inert gas to 0MPa, and then evacuate to -0.095MPa 0.095 MPa.

Inject high-purity inert gas accounting for 10% of its volume into the above-mentioned first vacuum box 2 after evacuation, and then heat the evaporation boat 5 to 1400° C. through a heating source 3 to obtain a mixed vapor of metal vapor and inert gas.

The second vacuum box 12 was evacuated to -0.1 MPa, and the temperature of the cooling mechanism 11 was set at 20°C.

First, let the unwinding mechanism 8 and the winding mechanism 9 unwind and rewind the non-metallic current collector B at a speed of v ₁ = 10cm/min, and calculate the spray flow v ₂ of the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas according to formula ① =0.0216g/min, after the unwinding and winding speed of the non-metallic current collector B is stable, open the control valve 6, and spray the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas onto the non-metallic current collector B at a flow rate of 0.0216g/min, After being cooled by the cooling mechanism 11, a single-sided metal aluminum tab is prepared on the non-metallic current collector B.

If it is necessary to prepare double-sided tabs, prepare them by the same method as above.

Example 2

In this embodiment, metallic copper with a purity >99% is selected as the metal material 4, and an aluminum tab with a width y of 100 cm and a thickness z of 10 μm is prepared on the non-metallic current collector B. The inert gas used in this example is argon.

First put the metal material 4 into the evaporation boat 5 in the first vacuum box 2, then evacuate the first vacuum box to -0.09MPa, then pour high-purity inert gas into it to 0MPa, and then evacuate to -0.09MPa 0.09MPa.

Inject high-purity inert gas accounting for 60% of its volume into the above-mentioned first vacuum box 2 after evacuation, and then heat the evaporation boat 5 to 1100° C. through a heating source 3 to obtain a mixed vapor of metal vapor and inert gas.

The second vacuum box 12 was evacuated to -0.095MPa, and the temperature of the cooling mechanism 11 was set at 100°C.

First, make the unwinding mechanism 8 and the winding mechanism 9 unwind and rewind the non-metallic current collector B at a speed of v ₁ = 2cm/min, and calculate the spray flow v ₂ of the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas according to formula ① =1.78g/min, after the unwinding and winding speed of the non-metallic current collector B is stable, open the control valve 6, and spray the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas onto the non-metallic current collector B at a flow rate of 1.78g/min. After being cooled by the cooling mechanism 11, a single-sided metal copper tab is prepared on the non-metallic current collector B.

If it is necessary to prepare double-sided tabs, prepare them by the same method as above.

Example 3

In this embodiment, a mixture of metallic copper with a purity >99% and metallic nickel with a mass ratio of 1:1 is selected as the metal material 4, and copper-nickel with a width y of 50 cm and a thickness z of 5 μm is prepared on the non-metallic current collector B Mixed metal tabs. The inert gas used in this example is argon.

First put the metal material 4 into the evaporation boat 5 in the first vacuum box 2, then evacuate the first vacuum box to -0.10MPa, then pour high-purity inert gas into it to 0MPa, and then evacuate to -0.10MPa 0.10 MPa.

Inject high-purity inert gas accounting for 30% of its volume into the above-mentioned first vacuum box 2 after evacuation, and then heat the evaporation boat 5 to 1600° C. through a heating source 3 to obtain a mixed vapor of metal vapor and inert gas.

The second vacuum box 12 was evacuated to -0.09MPa, and the temperature of the cooling mechanism 11 was set at 50°C.

First, let the unwinding mechanism 8 and the winding mechanism 9 unwind and rewind the non-metallic current collector B at a speed of v ₁ = 4cm/min, and calculate the spray flow v ₂ of the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas according to formula ① =0.89g/min, after the unwinding and winding speed of the non-metallic current collector B is stable, open the control valve 6, and spray the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas onto the non-metallic current collector B at a flow rate of 0.89g/min. After being cooled by the cooling mechanism 11, a single-sided metal copper-nickel tab is prepared on the non-metallic current collector B.

If it is necessary to prepare double-sided tabs, prepare them by the same method as above.

comparative example

Cut the edge of the non-metallic current collector to the same width as in Example 1 to obtain a traditional non-metallic base tab.

Performance Testing

The tabs prepared in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Example were tested for performance, and the test method is as follows.

Tensile strength test: The tabs of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Example 1 were stacked in 30 layers, welded using the same ultrasonic welding parameters, and then the tensile strength and tensile residual area data were tested with plastic tensile testing equipment.

Overcurrent test: stack 30 layers of tabs in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Example 1, weld them with the same ultrasonic welding parameters, and then conduct an overcurrent test with a current of 100A to obtain temperature rise data.

The performance test results are shown in Table 1. It can be known that the ultrasonic welding strength of the non-metallic current collector is very low, and the welding strength is greatly improved by spraying the metal tab on the non-metallic current collector. At the same time, the metal tab greatly improves the non-metallic collector. The flow of fluid can meet the needs of battery production and improve the feasibility of commercialization of non-metallic current collectors.

Table 1 Summary of performance test data

project Tensile strength/N Tensile residual area/% Temperature rise/℃/min Example 1 75 65 0.05 Example 2 90 82 0.02 Example 3 80 70 0.06 Comparative example 1 10 10 2

The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: it can still implement the foregoing embodiments Modifications to the technical solutions described in the examples, or equivalent replacement of some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the application, and should be included in the Within the protection scope of this application.

Claims (10)

1. A preparation device for a non-metallic current collector tab, characterized in that: comprising an inert gas bottle (1), a first vacuum box (2) and a second vacuum box (12); the inert gas bottle (1) The outlet of the first vacuum box (2) is connected with the first vacuum box (2), and the second vacuum box (12) is connected by a pipeline (13); An evaporation boat (5) for placing and heating the metal material (4) is arranged in the first vacuum box (2); A cooling mechanism (11) for cooling the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas is arranged in the second vacuum box (12), and a mixed steam for spraying metal vapor and inert gas is arranged above the cooling mechanism (11). The spray pipe (7) is connected to the pipeline (13). 2. The preparation device of a non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 1, characterized in that: the pipeline (13) is provided with a control valve (6) for controlling opening and closing; the evaporation boat (5 ) of the heating source (3) is arranged outside the first vacuum box (2); the second vacuum box (12) is provided with a baffle mechanism (10) for controlling the spraying width of the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas ; The baffle mechanism (10) is provided with a cooling mechanism (11) for cooling the mixed steam of metal vapor and inert gas, and the two sides of the baffle mechanism (10) are respectively provided with non-metallic current collectors (B) for unwinding The unwinding mechanism (8) and the winding mechanism (9) for winding non-metallic current collector tabs. 3. A method for preparing a non-metallic current collector tab, comprising the following steps: Step 1, put the metal material (4) into the evaporation boat (5) in the first vacuum box (2), and seal the first vacuum box (2) and vacuumize it; Step 2. Inject a certain amount of inert gas into the first vacuum box (2), and then heat the evaporation boat (5) to the evaporation temperature of the metal material (4) to obtain a mixed vapor of metal vapor and inert gas; Step 3, after the second vacuum box (12) is evacuated, the temperature of the cooling mechanism (11) in the second vacuum box (12) reaches a set value; Step 4. After the non-metallic current collector (B) is unrolled in the second vacuum box (12), while passing through the cooling mechanism (11), the mixed steam in the first vacuum box (2) passes through the pipeline (13) and the nozzle (7) Spray on the non-metallic current collector (B), cool and condense through the cooling mechanism (11), and finally wind up to obtain the tab of the non-metallic current collector. 4. The preparation method of a non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 3, characterized in that: in the first step, the metal material (4) includes copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or nickel at least one. 5. the preparation method of a kind of non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 4, is characterized in that: in described step 1, the process of vacuumizing the first vacuum box (2) is: first vacuum box (2) Preliminary vacuuming, the pressure is -0.09MPa to -0.10MPa, then fill the first vacuum box (2) with an inert gas to 0MPa, and finally the first vacuum box (2) is evacuated again, the pressure is - 0.09MPa to -0.10MPa. 6. the preparation method of a kind of non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 3, is characterized in that: in described step 2, the amount of inert gas injected in the first vacuum box (2) is the whole first vacuum box (2) 10-60% of the volume. 7. The method for preparing a non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 6, characterized in that: in the second step, the heating temperature of the evaporation boat (5) is 1000-1600°C. 8. The method for preparing a non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 3, characterized in that: in the third step, the pressure of the second vacuum box (12) after vacuuming is from -0.09MPa to - 0.10MPa. 9. the preparation method of a kind of non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 8, is characterized in that: in described step 3, the cooling mechanism (11) in the second vacuum box (12) comprises cooling roller, The temperature is 20-100°C. 10. the preparation method of a kind of non-metallic current collector tab according to claim 3, is characterized in that: in described step 4, the speed of unwinding and winding of non-metallic current collector (B) and the spraying of mixed steam The relationship that the flow rate satisfies is: ρyzv ₁ /10000=v ₂ , Wherein ρ is the density of metal material (4), g/cm ³ ; v ₁ is the unwinding and winding speed of non-metallic current collector (B), unit cm/min; v ₂ is the spray flow rate of mixed steam, unit g/min, z is the spray thickness of the mixed steam, in μm; y is the spray width of the mixed steam, in cm.

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