Electroactive Polymer Coating for Improved Battery Safety

摘要

A single or multi-component polymer coating is applied to components used in fabrication of electrochemical cells to protect the cells from damages that can result in cell imbalance or cell performance reduction. The polymer coating is electrically conductive under normal operating conditions but, when operated at low voltages, functions as an insulative material that increases the electrical resistance of the cell components. This increased electrical resistance improves cell safety by minimizing short-circuit current flow and reducing heating rate in the cell components.

主权项

1. A conductive additive for an electrochemical cell electrode comprising:
a carbon additive material; and an electroactive polymer coating dispersed on the carbon additive material, the electroactive polymer functioning as an insulating layer when a potential in the electrochemical cell is less than a switching voltage and functioning as a conductive layer when the potential in the electrochemical cell is greater than the switching voltage.