Electrode surface roughness control for spray coating process of lithium ion battery

摘要

Methods and apparatus for making energy storage devices and device components are provided. It has been found that when a slurry containing an electroactive material is sprayed onto a flexible substrate and subsequently subjected to an elevated temperature gradient, a dry or nearly dry film with reduced surface roughness is deposited. This elevated temperature gradient can be caused by heated rollers over which the substrate traverses. In doing so, each heated roller is heated to a higher temperature than the previous roller heated, resulting in the deposition of a dry or nearly dry film having a relatively smooth and low porosity surface. . Dry film or nearly dry film deposition eliminates the need for large and expensive drying mechanisms, thus reducing both equipment cost and footprint. [Selection] Figure 2