Aluminum Composite Anode Material for Higher Battery Cycle Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an anode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries with improved charge/discharge efficiency to enhance cell characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An anode active material comprising an aluminum phase with a non-aluminum metal phase dispersed within, where the non-aluminum metal phase is formed from compounds like Si, Ge, Sn, Ag, Sb, Bi, In, or Mg, and is coated with aluminum to prevent particle formation during charging and discharging, maintaining initial discharge capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a porous aluminum alloy containing silicon or tin is used as anode active material, then the capacity is improved, but the charge/discharge efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by precisely controlling the content of non-aluminum metals (Si, Ge, Sn, Ag, Sb, Bi, In, or Mg) to be 0.01-8 mass% in the aluminum phase. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the sweet spot where sufficient capacity is maintained while charge/discharge efficiency is improved through better electrochemical reversibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite anode structure consisting of an aluminum phase combined with a non-aluminum metal phase. This composite approach leverages the high theoretical capacity of aluminum while incorporating elements that improve charge/discharge efficiency, achieving both goals simultaneously through synergistic material combination.
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of non-aluminum metal phase is increased to improve capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the anode turns into fine particles during charging and discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the amount of non-aluminum metal phase to be within 0.01-8 mass% of the total anode active material. This parameter control prevents excessive volume expansion and contraction that would cause particle fragmentation, while still providing sufficient capacity enhancement from the non-aluminum metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a heterogeneous structure where non-aluminum metal compounds are dispersed within the aluminum phase matrix. This local distribution allows the aluminum phase to provide structural stability while the dispersed non-aluminum metal particles provide capacity enhancement, resolving the contradiction between capacity and structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional anode materials are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the discharge capacity retention ratio deteriorates over cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material system combining aluminum phase with non-aluminum metal compounds (Si, Ge, Sn, Ag, Sb, Bi, In, or Mg). This composite structure maintains the simplicity of aluminum-based manufacturing while significantly improving cycle life and discharge capacity retention through the synergistic effects of the non-aluminum metal components that enhance electrochemical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by controlling the non-aluminum metal content at 0.01-8 mass%, which improves discharge capacity retention ratio over multiple cycles while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established alloying and processing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
An anode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, including: an aluminum phase; and a non-aluminum metal phase dispersed in the aluminum phase, in which the non-aluminum metal phase is formed of a non-aluminum metal compound containing one or more selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Ag Sb, Bi, In, and Mg, and an amount of the non-aluminum metal phase with respect to a total amount of the aluminum phase and the non-aluminum metal phase is 0.01 mass % or more and 8 mass % or less.