Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum, anode material, anode comprising this material, and battery comprising this anode

A mixed oxide of titanium, niobium, and lanthanum with controlled doping and nanoparticle aggregation addresses the limitations of existing anode materials by enhancing aging resistance and capacity retention, ensuring stable battery performance.

WO2025210189A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-09I TEN
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2025/059190
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-04-04
Filing Date
2025-04-03
Publication Date
2025-10-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, such as mixed oxides of titanium and niobium, face challenges with high energy density, capacity loss over cycles, and formation of lithium dendrites during rapid charging, necessitating improved materials with enhanced aging resistance and capacity retention.

Method used

A mixed oxide of titanium, niobium, and lanthanum (Ti1-xLaxNb2O7 or LiwTi1-xLaxNb2-yM1yO7-zM2z) with specific doping levels (0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) and nanoparticle aggregation, optimized for high specific surface area and electronic conductivity, is developed to enhance aging resistance and charge/discharge capacity.

Benefits of technology

The mixed oxide exhibits improved aging resistance and maintains charge/discharge capacity, reducing capacity loss over cycles and preventing lithium dendrite formation, thereby extending battery performance and safety.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I): LiwTi1-xLaxNb2-yM1 yO7-zM2 z (I) where: o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08 o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn; o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.3.
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Description

[0001]DESCRIPTION Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum, anode material, anode comprising this material and battery comprising this anode FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to mixed oxides of titanium, niobium and lanthanum, as well as anode materials comprising these oxides. The invention also relates to anodes comprising these anode materials and batteries using such anodes. STATE OF THE ART The invention relates to the field of electrochemistry, and more particularly to electrochemical systems.The ideal batteries for powering autonomous electrical devices (such as: phones and laptops, portable tools, autonomous sensors) or for the traction of electric vehicles would have a long lifespan, be able to store both large amounts of energy and power, be able to operate in a very wide temperature range and would not present risks of overheating or explosion. Currently these electrical devices are powered mainly by lithium-ion batteries, which have the best energy density among the different storage technologies proposed. There are different architectures and chemical compositions of electrodes for making lithium-ion batteries. The manufacturing processes of lithium-ion batteries are presented in numerous articles and patents, and the books "Advances in Lithium-Ion Batteries" (Ed. W.van Schalkwijk and B. Scrosati), published in 2002 (Kluever Academic / Plenum Publishers), and "Lithium Batteries. Science and Technology" by C. Julien, A. Mauger, A. Vijh and K. Zaghib (Springer, Heidelberg 2016) provide a good overview. In addition to the architecture and manufacturing processes of battery cells, the choice of electrode materials is also fundamental. The energy stored in batteries is the product of the electrode capacity in Ah or mAh multiplied by the operating voltage of the cell. This operating voltage is the difference between the insertion potentials of lithium in the anodes and cathodes. Anode materials frequently used in such devices include mixed oxides of lithium and titanium (Li4Ti5O12) or mixed oxides of titanium and niobium, such as the mixed oxide with the formula TiNb2O7 known as TNO.As illustrated for example in application EP3379613, mixed oxides of niobium and titanium are particularly interesting insofar as they have a very high theoretical capacity per unit of mass. Thus, the mixed composite of monoclinic structure TiNb2O7 would have a theoretical capacity of 387 mAh / g compared to 175 mAh / g for the compound Li4Ti5O. 12. While it is particularly advantageous to use an anode material with a high theoretical capacity, it is crucial that this material has good aging resistance, i.e. a capacity loss as a function of the number of charge / discharge cycles that is as low as possible. From an industrial point of view, there remains a need for the provision of anode materials combining the following characteristics: - high mass capacity in order to compensate for energy losses by reducing the operating voltage by increasing their capacity; - insertion of lithium at a relatively high voltage (above 0.5V / Li) to avoid the formation of lithium dendrites, particularly during the recharging phases rapides ;- a loss of capacity as a function of the number of charge / discharge cycles which is as reduced as possible in order to ensure prolonged performance over time. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) : Li w You 1-x There x Nb 2-y M 1 y O 7-z M 2 z (I)in which:o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn;o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.3.Advantageously, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum is such that z=0.Advantageously, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum is such that y=0.Advantageously, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum is of formula Ti 1- x There x Nb2O7(Ia) or Li w You 1-x There xNb2O7(Ib), x and w being as defined above. Advantageously, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum is in the form of aggregates of primary nanoparticles of said oxide and the primary nanoparticles have an average primary diameter D50 of between 2 nm and 100 nm, preferably between 2 nm and 60 nm. Advantageously, the aggregates of primary nanoparticles of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum have an average diameter D50 of between 10 nm and 20 µm, preferably between 20 nm and 10 µm. Advantageously, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum has a specific surface area of ​​between 10 m² / g and 80 m² / g, preferably between 25 m2 / g and 50 m2 / g. The invention also relates to an active anode material comprising a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum as described above. The invention also relates to an anode comprising the active material as described above or obtained from the active material as described above.The invention also relates to a device for storing or producing electrical energy comprising at least one anode as described above, the device for storing or producing electrical energy preferably being a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a lithium ion hybrid supercapacitor, a photovoltaic cell, a photoelectrochemical cell or a battery, preferably a lithium ion battery. The invention also relates to the use of lanthanum in a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I): LiwTi1-xLaxNb2-yM. 1 yO7-zM 2z (I)in which:o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn;o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.3.to improve the aging resistance of said oxide used as an active anode material in an energy storage or production device. Other aspects of the invention are as described below. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESFigure 1 represents scanning electron microscope images of the powders according to:- Example A (a – top): TiNb2O7 – TNO- Example B (b – bottom): Ti0.95La0.05Nb2O7 'TNO 0.05 La'Figure 2 represents transmission electron microscope images of the powders selon :- example A (a – top): TiNb2O7 – TNO- example B (b – bottom): Ti0.95La0.05Nb2O7 'TNO 0.05 La'Figure 3 represents the size distribution of nanoparticles (N = number of nanoparticles with diameter D in nm) from TEM images on a total of 63 nanoparticles for the Ti0.95La0.05Nb2O7 'TNO 0.05 La' powder according to example B.Figure 4 represents the cycling curves (charge and discharge) E(V) vs Li+ / Li as a function of the specific capacity Cs (mA.h / g) at different C-Rates (C and C / 5) of the electrodes obtained with the TiNb2O7 particles according to example A at 2.44 mg / cm².Figure 5 represents the cycling curves (charge and discharge) and discharge) E(V) vs Li+ / Li as a function of the specific capacity Cs (mA.h / g) at different C-Rates (C and C / 5) of the electrodes obtained with the particles of Ti0.95La0.05Nb2O7 according to example B at 2.9 mg / cm². Figures 6 and 7 respectively represent the cycling curves E(V) vs Li+ / Li as a function of the specific capacity Cs (mA.h / g) to C / 5: - for the anode of the half-battery facing lithium with TNO doped with Germanium ('TNO XGe') as a function of the dopant fraction x (x=0 / 0.1 or 10% / 0.5 or 50%) according to the examples. C ;- for the anode of the lithium-facing half-cell with Cerium-doped TNO ('TNO X Ce') as a function of the dopant fraction x (x=0 / 0.01 or 1% / 0.05 or 5%) according to examples D. Figure 8 illustrates the percentage of capacity retention R compared to the first cycle for the half-cells with TNO and TNO doped with 5% (x=0.05) lanthanum, 10% (x=0.1) augermanium and 5% (x=0.05) cerium according to examples AD as a function of the number of cycles N. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions In the context of this document, the size of a particle is defined by its largest dimension. By "nanoparticle" is meant any particle or object of nanometric size having at least one of its dimensions less than or equal to 400 nm. By "ionic liquid" we mean any liquid salt, differing from all molten salts by a melting temperature below 100°C.Some of these salts remain liquid at room temperature and do not solidify even at very low temperatures. Such salts are called "room temperature ionic liquids." An "electrolyte" is any substance that is ionically conductive due to the presence of mobile ions; it can be a solid without a liquid phase or a liquid. These ions are preferably Li. +. A liquid electrolyte can be in the form of a gel. To galvanically separate the electrodes, electrolytes are electronic insulators. By "mesoporous" materials, we mean any solid which has within its structure pores called "mesopores" having an intermediate size between that of micropores (width less than 2 nm) and that of macropores (width greater than 50 nm), namely a size between 2 nm and 50 nm. This terminology corresponds to that adopted by IUPAC (International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry), which is a reference for those skilled in the art. We therefore do not use the term "nanopore" here, even if the mesopores as defined above have nanometric dimensions within the meaning of the definition of nanoparticles, knowing that pores smaller than that of mesopores are called "micropores" by those skilled in the art.A presentation of the concepts of porosity (and the terminology just explained above) is given in the article “Texture of powdered or porous materials” by F. Rouquerol et al., published in the collection “Techniques de l'Ingénieur”, treatise Analysis and Characterization, issue P 1050; this article also describes the techniques for characterizing porosity, in particular the BET method. For the purposes of the present invention, the term “porous layer” means a layer that has pores. The term “mesoporous layer” means a layer that has mesopores. In these layers, the pores and mesopores contribute significantly to the total pore volume; this fact is translated by the expression “Porous / mesoporous layer with porosity greater than X% by volume” used in the present description. The term “aggregate” means, according to the IUPAC definitions, a loosely bound assembly of primary particles.In this case, these primary particles are particles having a diameter that can be determined by transmission electron microscopy. An aggregate of aggregated primary nanoparticles can normally be destroyed (i.e. reduced to primary particles) in suspension in a liquid phase by any suitable means, in particular under the effect of ultrasound or by grinding, according to a technique known to those skilled in the art. The anode function refers to the function of the electrode during the charging of the battery. During discharge, the same electrode no longer has an anode function. In the present application, the lanthanum doping in the compound of formula (I) is expressed as the molar ratio La / (La + Ti) = x. This ratio can also be expressed in mol%. Thus, if x = 0.05, this means that the titanium in the compound of formula (I) is substituted at a level of 5 mol% by lanthanum.Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanumA first subject of the invention relates to a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I):Li. w You 1-x There x Nb 2-y M 1 y O 7-z M 2 z(I)wherein:o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn;o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.3.When 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to formula (I)used as an active electrode material in an energy storage or generation device, such as in a cell or battery, retains performance in terms of charge and discharge capacity similar to that of the material not doped with lanthanum but has a better resistance to aging than the material not doped with lanthanum.When x < 0.03, the doping ratio of Lanthanum is not sufficient and the aging performance of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to formula (I) used as an electrode active material in a power storage or generation device, such as in a cell or battery, is not improved compared to that of the material not doped with lanthanum. When x > 0.08, the performance in terms of charge and discharge capacity of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to formula (I) used as an electrode active material in a power storage or generation device, such as in a cell or battery, is degraded compared to that of the material not doped with lanthanum.Thus, surprisingly, the value of x such that 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08 in the mixed oxide of formula (I) makes it possible to obtain an oxide whose performance in terms of charge / discharge capacity is preserved and which has improved resistance to aging. Advantageously, the value of x is such that 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, preferably 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.08. The value of x may be such that 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.07, 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.06, 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.05, 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, 0.06 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.07 or 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.06. The value of x may also be such that x = 0.03, x = 0.04, x = 0.05, x = 0.06, x = 0.07 or x = 0.08. According to embodiments, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum may be pre-charged with lithium in order to increase its electronic conductivity. Thus, w may be equal to 0, preferably greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. The mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) may not comprise element M2.This is the oxide of formula (I) in which z=0. The mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) may not include element M1. This is the oxide of formula (I) in which y=0. The mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) may not include element M1 or element M2. This is the oxide of formula (I) in which y=0 and z=0. Preferably, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) is Ti. 1-xLaxNb2O7 of formula (Ia) or LiwTi1-xLaxNb2O7 of formula (Ib), x and w being as defined above. Preferably, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) is Ti1- xLaxNb2O7 of formula (Ia), x and w being as defined above. Surprisingly, the applicant has also discovered that the mixed oxides of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) have better aging performances than the equivalent mixed oxides for which the titanium is partially substituted by another metallic element. Thus, at an equal degree of substitution x of Ti with 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, the aging performances of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to formula (I) used as an active electrode material in an energy storage or production device, such as in a cell or battery, are improved compared to those of the material doped with Germanium or Cerium.Lanthanum-doped material has better aging resistance than undoped material (TNO). Cerium-doped material has similar aging resistance to undoped material (TNO). Germanium-doped material has lower aging resistance than undoped material (TNO). Aging performance or aging resistance refers to the evaluation of the capacity retention as a function of the number of cycles of the oxide of formula (I) when used as an active electrode material in an energy storage or production device, such as in a cell or battery. Thus, if the aging resistance compared to another oxide is improved, this means that the capacity retention as a function of the number of cycles decreases more quickly for the reference oxide than for the oxide of formula (I).Characteristics of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I)The mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum can be in the form of particles of any shape and size suitable for use as an anode active material. A person skilled in the art knows how to adapt the particle size of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to characteristics such as the power of the battery, the composition of the anode (presence or absence of binder, electronically conductive material), the desired porosity of the anode and / or the desired size of the pores of the anode. Generally speaking, compositions of the TNO type (TiNb2O7) have very low electronic conductivity. In a battery, to be able to deliver high power, it is thus advantageous for the oxide particles to be small.The active materials used to make the electrodes are typically used in the form of powder suspensions with an average particle size between 5 µm and 15 µm in diameter. These particles are integrated into an ink which is made up of these particles, organic binders, and a charge of a powder of an electronically conductive material ("conductive filler" in English, also called conductive filler), typically carbon black. This ink is deposited on the surface of a metal substrate, then dried in order to remove the organic solvents it contains and to leave on the surface of the metal substrate only a porous deposit made up of particles of active materials mechanically linked together by organic binders and electrically connected by the conductive filler.To optimize the volumetric energy density of lithium-ion batteries produced with these conventional manufacturing processes, it can be very useful to reduce the porosity of the electrodes. This reduction in porosity, in other words the increase in the quantity of active material per unit volume of electrode, can be achieved in several ways. With conventional inking techniques, it is thus possible to increase the volumetric energy density by optimizing the size distribution of the deposited particles. Indeed, as shown for example in the article by J. Ma and LC Lim "Effect of particle size distribution on sintering of agglomerate-free submicron alumina powder compacts" published in 2002 in the journal J. European Ceramic Society 22 (2002), pp. 2197-2208, by optimizing the particle size distribution, it is possible to achieve a density of approximately 70%.An electrode with 30% porosity, containing conductive fillers and impregnated with a lithium ion conductive electrolyte will have a volumetric energy density approximately 35% higher than the same electrode with 50% porosity made of monodisperse particles in size. Although it allows the energy density of the electrodes to be increased, this size distribution of the active material particles is not without problems. Particles of different sizes in an electrode will have different capacities and, under the effect of identical charge and / or discharge currents, will be locally more or less charged and / or discharged depending on their size. When the battery is no longer under current demand, the local charge states between particles will be balanced again, but during these transient phases, local imbalances can lead to particles being locally charged outside their stable voltage ranges.These local charge state imbalances will be all the more pronounced as the current densities are high. These imbalances therefore induce performance losses in cycling, safety risks and a limitation of the battery cell power. These effects of the size distribution of active material particles on the current / voltage relationships of the electrodes were studied and simulated by ST Taleghani et al. in the publication “A study on the effect of porosity and particle size distribution on Li-ion battery performance”, published in the journal J. Electrochemical Society, 164 (11) 2017, p. E3179-E3189. With the electrode inking techniques as described above, the active material particles have a size generally between 5 µm and 15 µm. The contact between two neighboring particles is essentially point-like, the particles being linked together by an organic binder which is most often PVDF.According to embodiments, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum is in the form of particles having a micron size, as described above. According to other embodiments, it may be advantageous for the anode active material to comprise nanoparticles. The anode active material may be implemented from an ink as described above. The anode active material may also be implemented as described above but by further carrying out a heat treatment step making it possible to eliminate any organic residue in order to obtain a porous, preferably mesoporous, anode having a high porosity, devoid of binder, where appropriate devoid of any additional electronic conductor, whether additional conductive fillers or a conductive material deposited on and inside the pores. An example of such an anode is described in application WO 2019 / 215407 A1.Advantageously, the use of an anode active material powder in the form of aggregates of primary nanoparticles having an average diameter D50 of less than 100 nm makes it possible to obtain high electronic conductivity and promotes sintering (necking) between the primary particles during a subsequent consolidation step. Thus, according to embodiments, the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum may be in the form of aggregates of primary nanoparticles of said oxide. Advantageously, the primary nanoparticles have an average primary diameter D. 50between 2 nm and 100 nm, preferably between 2 nm and 60 nm, preferably between 2 nm and 40 nm, more preferably between 2 nm and 20 nm. The aggregates or agglomerates of primary nanoparticles may have an average diameter D50 between 10 nm and 20 µm, preferably between 20 nm and 10 µm. The particle size can be measured by observation using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The size of the nanoparticles is measured using a transmission electron microscope. The specific surface area of ​​the active anode material multiplies the exchange surfaces, and consequently, the power of the battery. Thus, it may be useful to have a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum having a high specific surface area. Advantageously, its specific surface area is between 10 m2 / g and 80 m2 / g, preferably between 25 m2 / g and 50 m2 / g. The specific surface area can be measured by BET. Preparation of the mixed titanium oxide,niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) Particles of the mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I) can be manufactured by any method known to those skilled in the art. It is known that particles of the TNO type (TiNb2O7) can be synthesized hydrothermally, with a size dispersion between about 50 nm and about 300 nm; however, it is difficult to control this size, and the dispersion is wide. This synthesis leads to amorphous particles which must then be crystallized by a high-temperature heat treatment, for example around 1000 °C for about 30 minutes. During this crystallization the particles can grow uncontrolled, which widens the size dispersion. Alternatively, there are solid-state synthesis methods,which also require high temperature treatment to homogenize the chemical composition. In the context of the present invention, it is preferred to use primary nanoparticles, agglomerated or not, with a size of less than 100 nm, preferably less than 60 nm, and even more preferably less than 40 nm. Such nanoparticles can be obtained by different processes. According to one method, salts, complexes or alcoholates (such as ethanolates) of the cations of metallic elements entering into the composition of the desired phase are mixed to obtain a perfectly homogenized distribution at the atomic scale, and polymers are used to fix this distribution of molecules,ions or complexes containing the metallic element. These polymers are then removed by heat treatment and leave only the inorganic constituents at the atomic scale for which a simple calcination at relatively low temperature will allow the desired phase to be obtained, crystallized, at the nanoparticle scale. Organic materials can be added that are likely to degas strongly during the heat treatment phases, which will contribute to obtaining mesoporous agglomerates. An example for such a synthesis is the "Pechini method", a process in which the cations of the desired phase (in our case for example Nb,Ti and La) are complexed by an organic molecule (such as citric acid or EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetate)) and introduced into a polymer matrix (for example a polyalcohol such as polyethylene glycol or polyvinyl alcohol). This results in a very homogeneous distribution of complexed and diluted cations. Subsequently, the polymer and the complexing organic molecule are removed by pyrolysis, leading to the formation of the targeted inorganic oxides. Calcination at approximately 800 °C makes it possible to obtain crystallized nanoparticles. The process makes it possible to adjust the particle size, which decreases when the concentration of cations in the polymer matrix decreases. Active anode material A second subject of the invention relates to an active anode material comprising a mixed oxide of titanium,niobium and lanthanum as described above.AnodeAnother subject of the invention relates to an anode comprising the active material as described above or obtained from the active material as described above. The mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum can be shaped, as an anode active material, to obtain an anode by any technique known to those skilled in the art.The anode according to the invention can be manufactured using known coating techniques (in particular by coating techniques, such as roll coating, curtain coating, slot die coating, doctor blade),tape casting). The particles of the anode active material are typically integrated into inks as described above. The ink compositions are well known to those skilled in the art. The method for obtaining the anode can make it possible to obtain an anode devoid or not of any organic matter and, where appropriate, of any additional electronic conductor, whether additional conductive fillers or a conductive material deposited on and inside the pores. As described in application WO 2021 / 220 176 A1, a layer of an electronically conductive material can be deposited on the surface of the particles of the anode active material in order to increase the electronic conductivity of the anode material; a thin layer of carbon or a thin layer of an electronically conductive oxide material can be used for this purpose. The anode can have a porous or mesoporous structure. When the anode is mesoporous,this means that it comprises mesopores according to the definition given above.The anode may provide a current collector. Any substrate capable of collecting the electric current may be used, such as a metal substrate. The anode current collector may be: Mo, Cu, Ni, alloys based on the aforementioned elements, stainless steel.Device for storing or producing electrical energy Another subject of the invention relates to a device for storing or producing electrical energy comprising a cathode, an anode as described above and an electrolyte.The device for storing or producing electrical energy may be a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a lithium ion hybrid supercapacitor, a photovoltaic cell, a photoelectrochemical cell, a lithium ion cell or a lithium ion battery.Advantageously, the device is a lithium ion battery comprising a cathode,an anode as described above and an electrolyte. The batteries according to the invention can be produced with very different powers. In particular, the batteries can be lithium ion microbatteries, which excel in their high power, which opens up many uses for them on electronic cards, in electronic devices, and in particular in medical devices. These batteries can operate in a very wide temperature range, and can be recharged in less than 15 minutes. Conversely, the batteries can be lithium ion batteries. They are of particular interest in the form of high power batteries, in particular for use in electric vehicles. With intermediate powers, the batteries can be used in various portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops,portable reading devices.The cathode material may be any material known to those skilled in the art. Examples include LiCoPO4; LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4; LiFexCo1-xPO4 (where 0 < x < 1); LiNi1 / XCo1 / yMn1 / ZO2with x+y+z = 10; Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2; LiMn1.5Ni0.5-xXxO4 where X is selected from Al, Fe, Cr, Co, Rh, Nd, Sc, Y, Lu, La, Ce, Pr, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and where 0 < x < 0.1; LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2; Li2MPO4F (where M = Fe, Co, Ni or a mixture of these different elements); LiMPO4F (with M = V, Fe, Ti or a mixture of these different elements); LiMSO4F (with M = Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Zn, Mg), LiNi1 / xMn1 / yCo1 / zO2 with x+y+z = 10; LiCoO2. For high capacity cathodes, LiNi1 / xMn1 / yCo1 / zO2 with x+y+z = 10, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, and LiCoO2 are particularly preferred. For example, LiNixMnyCozO2 (also known by the acronym "NMC") can be used, preferably with x + y + z = 1, and even more preferably with x:y:z = 0.8:0.1:0,1 (material known under the acronym "NMC811"). The cathode may have all the characteristics of the anode as described above with the exception of the active material. The cathode current collector is made of a material selected from the group formed by: Mo, Ti, W, Ta, Cr, Al, alloys based on the aforementioned elements, stainless steel. The battery may further comprise a separator, an electrical insulator. Oxides of the Al2O3, ZrO2, SiO2 type may be used,or phosphates or borates.The electrolyte is preferably a lithium ion-carrying phase selected from the group formed by:• an electrolyte composed of at least one aprotic solvent and at least one lithium salt;• an electrolyte composed of at least one ionic liquid and at least one lithium salt;• a mixture of at least one aprotic solvent and at least one ionic liquid and at least one lithium salt;• a polymer made ionically conductive by the addition of at least one lithium salt; and• a polymer made ionically conductive by the addition of a liquid electrolyte, either in the polymer phase or in the mesoporous structure, and even more preferably, by an electrolyte selected from the group formed by:• an electrolyte comprising N-butyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium 4,5-dicyano-2-(trifluoromethyl) imidazole (Pyr14TDI) and containing lithium salts of the LiTDI type,• an electrolyte comprising 1-Methyl-3-propylimidazolium 4,5-dicyano-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazolide (PMIM-TDI) and lithium 4,5-dicyano-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazolide (LiTDI). The lithium ion carrier phase may be as described in application WO2021 / 220174 A1 or WO 2023 / 275779 A1. Use of lanthanum to improve the aging resistance of, mixte de titanium, niobium and lanthanum Another subject of the invention relates to the use of lanthanum in a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I): LiwTi1-xLaxNb2-yM 1 yO7-zM 2z (I)in which:o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn;o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.3.to improve the aging resistance of said oxide used as an anode active material in an energy storage or production device. The mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum, the anode active material and the energy storage or production device are as described above in the preceding sections. EXAMPLES The following examples of implementation of a method according to the invention are given by way of illustration and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. 1. Methods for characterizing mixed oxide powders X-ray diffraction: The powders resulting from the heat treatment at 800°C are analyzed by X-ray diffraction.The indexed peaks are compared to the indexed peaks of TNO crystallized in the monoclinic phase according to the ICDD reference sheet 00-39-1407. Surface area: measured by gas adsorption with the BET method. Measurement of the size of elementary nanoparticles and aggregates: the size of the powder particles is determined using a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. 2. Synthesis of mixed oxidesExample A – undoped TNO (outside the invention): A formulation of TiNb2O7 nanoparticle agglomerates was synthesized from the alkoxides Ti(OC2H5)4 and Nb(OC2H5)5. In a first step, citric acid (172.9g) was dissolved in 223.4g of ethylene glycol by magnetic stirring and heating to 80°C. At the same time, the mixture of ethoxides was prepared in a glove box under an inert atmosphere, respecting the stoichiometry of the target component (i.e. 38.2g – 0.12 mol of Nb(OC2H5)5 and 13.69g – 0.06 mol of Ti(OC2H5)4).In a second step, the alkoxide mixture was introduced with vigorous stirring into the citric acid / ethylene glycol solution at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at 90°C and then at 110°C overnight, which resulted in the solution gelling (obtaining a very viscous resin). The gel was then extracted and placed in an alumina crucible. The crucibles were placed in a heating chamber at 250°C for 12 hours. This heating step would eliminate the excess ethylene glycol and activate the esterification reactions. The product was then calcined at 600°C for 1 hour to eliminate a large part of the organics. Then a second heat treatment was carried out for 1 hour at 800°C. A white, finely divided powder was obtained.The powder is in the form of micrometric-sized aggregates made up of nanoparticles (elementary size of 20 nm) – see Figure 1(a) (SEM observations) and Figure 2(a) (TEM observations). The nanoparticles are crystallized in the space group I2 / m JCPDS: 39-1407 in the form of pure monoclinic crystals. The powder obtained has a specific surface area of ​​36 m. 2 / g.Example B – Lanthanum-doped TNO ('TNO 0.05 La' – test 1) A formulation of lanthanum-doped TiNb207 nanoparticle agglomerates was synthesized from the following precursors: Ti(OC2H5)4, Nb(OC2H5)5 and La(NO3)3. 6H20. The procedure is identical to that of Example A except for the preparation of the mixture of precursors respecting the stoichiometry of the targeted component (38.2g – 0.12 mol of Nb(OC2H5)5 and 13g – 0.057 mol of Ti(OC2H5)4 and 1.3g – 0.003 mol of La(NO3)3. 6H20 dissolved in 30 mL of anhydrous ethanol). The powder is in the form of micrometric-sized aggregates made up of nanoparticles (with an elementary size of 20 nm) – see Figure 1(b) (SEM observations) and Figure 2(b) (TEM observations). A size distribution was calculated from TEM observations on a total of 63 particles (Figure 3): the average physical diameter is 23.7 nm with a standard deviation of 6.4 nm.The nanoparticles are crystallized in the space group I2 / m JCPDS: 39-1407 as pure monoclinic crystals. The resulting powder has a specific surface area of ​​35 m. 2 / g.Examples C – Germanium-doped TNO ('TNO X Ge') - outside the inventionA formulation of nanoparticle agglomerates of formula Ti1-xGexNb207 (x=0.1 – 'TNO 0.1 Ge' and x=0.5 – 'TNO 0.5 Ge') was synthesized according to the procedure described above from the alkoxides Ge(OC2H5)4, Ti(OC2H5)4 and Nb(OC2H5)5.The quantity of precursors is adapted to respect the stoichiometry of the targeted component.A powder having similar characteristics in terms of size and specific surface area to that obtained in Example B is obtained. Furthermore, regardless of the doping rate, a single crystalline phase corresponding to TNO crystallized according to the monoclinic phase described above is obtained.Examples D – Cerium-doped TNO ('TNO X Ce') – outside the inventionA formulation of nanoparticle agglomerates of formula Ti1-xCexNb207 (with x=0.01 – 'TNO 0.01 Ce', x=0.05 – 'TNO 0.05 Ce' and x=0.5 – 'TNO 0.5 Ce') was synthesized according to the procedure of Example B from the following precursors: ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate, Ti(OC2H5)4 and Nb(OC2H5)5. The quantity of precursors is adapted to respect the stoichiometry of the targeted component. A powder having similar characteristics in terms of size and specific surface area to that obtained in Example B is obtained. A single crystalline phase corresponding to TNO crystallized according to the monoclinic phase described above is obtained for the doping rates of 1% (x=0.01) and 5% (x=0.05). For the doping rate of 50% (x=0.5), a different crystalline phase is obtained.E– Lanthanum-doped TNO ('TNO 0.03 La')A formulation of lanthanum-doped TiNb2O7 nanoparticle agglomerates was synthesized from the following precursors: Ti(OC2H5)4, Nb(OC2H5)5 and La(NO3)3. 6H20. The procedure is identical to that of Example A except for the preparation of the mixture of precursors respecting the stoichiometry of the targeted component (7.27 g – 0.0228 mol of Nb(OC2H5)5 and 2.53 g – 0.011 mol of Ti(OC2H5)4 and 0.15 g – 0.0003 mol of La(NO3)3. 6H20 dissolved in 30 mL of anhydrous ethanol) and the quantities of citric acid (32.9 g) and ethylene glycol (42.5 g). F– Lanthanum-doped TNO ('TNO 0.08 La')A formulation of lanthanum-doped TiNb207 nanoparticle agglomerates was synthesized from the following precursors: Ti(OC2H5)4, Nb(OC2H5)5 and La(NO3)3. 6H20.The procedure is identical to that of Example A except for the preparation of the mixture of precursors respecting the stoichiometry of the targeted component (7.27 g – 0.0228 mol of Nb(OC2H5)5 and 2.40 g – 0.0105 mol of Ti(OC2H5)4 and 0.40 g – 0.0009 mol of La(NO3)3. 6H20 dissolved in 30 mL of anhydrous ethanol) and the quantities of citric acid (32.9 g) and ethylene glycol (42.5 g). A formulation of agglomerates of aulanthanum-doped TiNb2O7 nanoparticles was synthesized from the following precursors: Ti(OC2H5)4, Nb(OC2H5)5 and La(NO3)3.6H20. The procedure is identical to that of Example A except for the preparation of the precursor mixture respecting the stoichiometry of the target component (91.01 g – 0.286 mol of Nb(OC2H5)5 and 30.99 g – 0.136 mol of Ti(OC2H5)4 and 3.1 g – 0.007 mol of La(NO3)3.6H20 dissolved in 50 mL of anhydrous ethanol) and quantities of citric acid (412.1 g) and ethylene glycol (532.6 g). 3. Electrochemical characterization of materials: 3.1. Preparation of button cellsThe ink is formulated at 21% by mass in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).The dry material consists of:- 80% by mass of one of the powders according to the examples above;- 10% by mass of Super P Carbon Black, to ensure electronic conduction; and- 10% by mass of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) HSV 1800 which serves as a binder;The homogenization of the ink is ensured by 2 cycles of 2 min at 2000 rpm in the planetary mixer (Thinky Mixer). The ink is then deposited on a 19 µm thick aluminum strip using a manual scraper (Doctor blade) set to 200 µm. The deposit is then placed in an oven at 120 ° C for at least 20 min to evaporate the solvent. It is then calendered under a pressure of 3 MPa and then cut into 14 mm diameter discs.The electrodes obtained are left to dry overnight at 80°C under vacuum before being cycled at room temperature against a lithium metal disc with a polypropylene polymer membrane (Celgard®3501 from CELGARD) as a separator and LiPF6 as electrolyte in Ethylene Carbonate (EC) / Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (1:1 by volume). 3.2. Cycling characterization The charge and discharge curves obtained at different rates for the anodes of the cell with TNO and the cell with Ti0.95La0.05Nb2O7 (x=0.05) are shown respectively in Figures 4 and 5. The charge and discharge curves have similar shapes. Figures 6 and 7 respectively represent the cycling curves at C / 5: - for the anode of the half-cell facing lithium with TNO doped with Germanium ('TNO XGe') as a function of the dopant fraction x; - for the anode of the half-cell facing lithium with TNO doped with Cerium ('TNO X Ce') as a function of the dopant fraction x.The capacity decreases significantly when x is greater than or equal to 0.1. The table below compares the electrochemical characteristics of the different anodes. [Table 1] Dopant Germanium Cerium Lanthanex 0% 10% 50% 1% 5% 50% 3% 5% 8%Maximum capacity264 262 (test 1)(mAh / g)235 200 265 256 100 269259 (test 2) 262 at C / 5 E. 1 / 2 (V) 1,561,611,61 1,57 1,57 - 1,49 1,55 (test 1,48 1)1,49 (test 2)3.3. Characterization of aging The half-cells made respectively from TNO, TNO doped with 10% Germanium, with 5% Cerium, and with 5% Lanthanum (test 1) are cycled at 1C for 146, 98, 98 and 159 cycles respectively. Figure 8 illustrates the percentage of capacity retention R compared to the first cycle for these half-cells. Over the first 98 cycles, the half-cell with TiNb2O7 shows an aging of 0.085% per cycle while the capacity loss for the half-cell with Ti0.95La0.05Nb2O7 (test 1) is 0.050% per cycle. TiNb2O7 doped with 10% Germanium or 5% Cerium shows more significant aging than undoped TiNb2O7. Half-cells made from TNO with 3% Lanthanum, 5% Lanthanum (test 2) and 8% Lanthanum are cycled at 1C for 200 cycles.These half-cells show respectively an aging over 100 cycles of 0.049% per cycle (TNO doped 3% La), 0.042% per cycle (TNO doped 5% (test 2)) and 0.043% per cycle (TNO doped 8%). TiNb2O7 doped with 3% Lanthanum, 5% Lanthanum and 8% Lanthanum show a similar aging. The aging results for TiNb2O7 doped with 5% Lanthanum (tests 1 and 2) are similar. Ti powder. 0,95 There 0,05Nb2O7 has physicochemical characteristics very close to the undoped material. In terms of electrochemical properties, doping with 3%, 5% or 8% lanthanum:- does not significantly modify the mass capacity- does not influence the value of the ½ potential- improves the material's resistance to aging with a respective capacity loss of 0.049% / cycle for 3% La, 0.050% and 0.042% / cycle for 5% La (tests 1 and 2), and 0.043% / cycle for 8% La instead of 0.085% / cycle for the undoped product. Conversely, doping with 5% Cerium or 10% Germanium leads to a deterioration in the resistance to aging compared to the undoped material.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula (I):LiwTi1-xLaxNb2-yM 1 yO7-zM 2z (I) in which:o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn;o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.3.

2. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to claim 1 in which z=0.

3. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to claim 1 or claim2 in which y=04. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to any one of the preceding claims in which 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, preferably 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.

08.

5. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to any one of the preceding claims of formula Ti1-xLaxNb2O7 (Ia) or LiwTi1-xLaxNb2O7 (Ib), x and w being as defined in any one of the preceding claims. 6.Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the form of aggregates of primary nanoparticles of said oxide and that the primary nanoparticles have an average primary diameter D. 50between 2 nm and 100 nm, preferably between 2 nm and 60 nm.

7. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to claim 6 characterized in that the aggregates of primary nanoparticles have an average diameter D50 between 10 nm and 20 µm, preferably between 20 nm and 10 µm.

8. Mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that its specific surface area is between 10 m² / g and 80 m² / g, preferably between 25 m2 / g and 50 m2 / g.

9. Active anode material comprising a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Anode comprising the active material according to claim 9 or obtained from the active material according to claim 9.11.Device for storing or producing electrical energy comprising at least one anode according to claim 10, the device for storing or producing electrical energy preferably being a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a lithium ion hybrid supercapacitor, a photovoltaic cell, a photoelectrochemical cell or a battery, preferably a lithium ion battery.

12. Use of lanthanum in a mixed oxide of titanium, niobium and lanthanum of formula. (I) : Li w You 1-x There x Nb 2-y M 1 y O 7-z M 2 z(I) in which:o 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08o M1 and M2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Ta, Fe, Co, Ti, Bi, Sb, As, P, Cr, Mo, W, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Al, Zr, Si, Sr, K, Cs and Sn;o 0 ≤ w ≤ 5, 0 ≤ y < 2 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.

3. to improve the aging resistance of said oxide used as an active anode material in an energy storage or production device.

Citation Information

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