Active Material Reproduction Using Molten Activation in Oxygen
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deterioration of the crystal structure of active materials during the reproduction process leads to a decrease in charge-discharge capacity, which is undesirable for recycling purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mixing an alkali metal compound activation agent with an electrode mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature above the activation agent's melting start temperature in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, and then collecting the active material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional activation methods are used to process electrode mixtures, then cost reduction is achieved, but crystal structure deterioration occurs leading to decreased charge-discharge capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the oxygen partial pressure parameter to 0.3 atm or higher during the heating process. This parameter modification prevents crystal structure deterioration while maintaining cost-effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and product reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an activation agent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the heating process and the active material. This agent protects the crystal structure during activation, enabling cost-effective processing without capacity loss.
2Productivity
If heating temperature is increased to activate the electrode mixture, then activation efficiency is improved, but crystal structure deterioration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the oxygen partial pressure parameter to 0.3 atm or higher, which allows effective activation at controlled temperatures without causing crystal structure deterioration. This parameter change decouples the relationship between temperature increase and structure damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation agent serves as a protective intermediary during heating, enabling high-temperature activation processes while preventing direct thermal damage to the crystal structure, thus maintaining both productivity and precision.
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
This method effectively suppresses the deterioration of the crystal structure, allowing for the production of high-quality active materials with improved charge-discharge capacity.
Implementation Method 1
heating a mixture thus obtained to a temperature higher than or equal to a melting start temperature of the activation agent
Implementation Method 2
heating a mixture thus obtained to a temperature higher than or equal to a melting start temperature of the activation agent in an atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 0.3 atm or higher
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an active material, the method comprising the following steps: (1) mixing an activation agent containing one kind or two or more kinds of alkali metal compounds into an electrode mixture containing an active material and a binder; (2) heating a mixture thus obtained to a temperature higher than or equal to a melting start temperature of the activation agent in an atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 0.3 atm or higher; and (3) collecting an active material from the mixture after heating.