Active Electrode Material Composition for Dendrite-Safe Fast Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries with graphitic anodes face limitations in charging rate due to lithium dendrite electroplating, leading to capacity fade and safety issues, while alternative materials like lithium titanate and mixed niobium oxides suffer from low energy density and high costs, necessitating improvements in electrochemical properties for high-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A mixed niobium oxide with modified composition M1aAl1-aM2bNb11-bO29-c-dQd, where M1 and M2 are selected from various cations, and Q from anions, with controlled oxygen deficiency or excess, enhancing electrochemical properties as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium titanate (LTO) or mixed niobium oxides are used as anode materials to replace graphite, then safety and fast-charging capability are improved, but energy density and cost performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the composition parameters of mixed niobium oxide by controlling oxygen deficiency/excess (O29-c-dQd formulation) and doping with various cations (M1, M2) to optimize electronic conductivity and electrochemical performance, thereby improving energy density while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining mixed niobium oxide with other metal oxides and conducting materials to enhance both energy density and electronic conductivity, resolving the contradiction between safety and energy density
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lithium titanate (LTO) is used as anode material, then dendrite formation is prevented, but electronic conductivity and capacity retention at high rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electronic and ionic conductivity parameters of LTO by modifying its crystal structure through doping with metal cations (M1, M2) and controlling oxygen content, thereby improving capacity retention at high rates while preventing dendrite formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality modification by creating oxygen-deficient regions and doping specific crystallographic sites to enhance electronic conductivity locally, improving power performance while maintaining the high potential that prevents dendrites
3Power
If LTO particles are nanosized and carbon-coated to improve conductivity, then electronic conductivity increases, but electrode density and active material fraction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bulk electronic conductivity parameter of LTO through compositional modification (doping and oxygen control) rather than relying on nanosizing, thereby maintaining electrode density while improving conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the need for extensive carbon coating by improving the intrinsic electronic conductivity of LTO through doping, reducing the amount of inactive carbon additive required and thereby increasing active material fraction
4Productivity
If mixed niobium oxide composition is modified with cations and anions, then specific capacity and capacity retention improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies compositional parameters (cations M1, M2; anions Q; oxygen content c, d) to optimize specific capacity and capacity retention, establishing a framework that improves productivity while managing manufacturing complexity through controlled parameter ranges
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modified mixed niobium oxide exhibits improved specific capacity, capacity retention at high C-rates, and electronic conductivity, suitable for high-power batteries with enhanced safety and energy density, reducing costs and increasing performance in fast charge/discharge applications.
Implementation Method 1
lithium ions are inserted into the anode active material upon charging
Implementation Method 2
enabling lithium ions transport
Implementation Method 3
improved electronic conductivity
Implementation Method 4
electrochemically active material—meaning that it is able to chemically react with lithium ions to store and release them reversibly
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to active electrode materials and to methods for the manufacture of active electrode materials. Such materials are of interest as active electrode materials in lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries. The invention provides an active electrode material expressed by the general formula M1aAl1-aM2bNb11-bO29-c-dQd.