Anode Carbon Composite for Energy Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage devices, such as lithium ion capacitors, face limitations in cycling performance, equivalent series resistance (ESR), power density, and energy density due to the use of single lithium ion intercalating carbon components, which also increase fabrication costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of lithium ion intercalating carbon components, including hard carbon, soft carbon, and graphite, at specific ratios in the anode of energy storage devices, along with a fibrillizable binder component, to form electrode films that enhance electrical conductivity and reduce the need for conductive additives, thereby improving device performance and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single lithium ion intercalating carbon component is used in the anode, then the fabrication process is simple, but the cycling performance, ESR, power density and energy density are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple lithium ion intercalating carbon components (hard carbon and soft carbon/graphite) in the anode. This composite structure enables improved cycling performance, reduced ESR, and enhanced power and energy density while maintaining a practical fabrication process. The composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving superior performance without significantly complicating manufacturing.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single lithium ion intercalating carbon component is used in the anode, then the fabrication cost is lower, but the power density and energy density are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite carbon materials (hard carbon combined with soft carbon or graphite) to achieve higher power density and energy density. The composite structure provides complementary properties that enhance overall device performance while keeping fabrication costs manageable through straightforward mixing and processing of the carbon components.
3Device complexity
If conventional electrode formulations are used, then the fabrication process is simple, but the electrical conductivity is insufficient requiring conductive additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by utilizing the inherent electrical conductivity properties of the composite carbon materials themselves. The hard carbon and soft carbon/graphite combination provides sufficient electrical conductivity without requiring additional conductive additives, thereby simplifying the formulation while maintaining reliable electrical performance.
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 configuration results in improved cycling performance, reduced ESR, increased energy density, and lower manufacturing costs, while maintaining desired capacitance and stability over charge-discharge cycles.
Implementation Method 1
combining the fibrillizable binder component, the first lithium ion intercalating carbon component and the second lithium ion intercalating carbon component to provide an electrode film mixture for forming an electrode
Implementation Method 2
The anode may include a first lithium ion intercalating carbon component and a second lithium ion intercalating carbon component
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device can include a cathode, an anode, and a separator between the cathode and the anode, where the anode comprises a first lithium ion intercalating carbon component and a second lithium ion intercalating carbon component. The first lithium ion intercalating carbon component can include hard carbon, and the second lithium ion intercalating component can include graphite or soft carbon. A ratio of the hard carbon to the graphite or of the hard carbon to the soft carbon can be between 1:19 to 19:1. The anode may comprise a first lithium ion intercalating carbon component, a second lithium ion intercalating carbon component and a third lithium ion intercalating carbon component. The first lithium ion intercalating carbon component can include hard carbon, the second lithium ion intercalating carbon component can include soft carbon, and the third lithium ion intercalating carbon component can include graphite.