Lithium Secondary Battery Materials With 500 ppm Sodium Limit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The performance and lifetime characteristics of lithium secondary batteries are adversely affected by high sodium content, leading to reduced capacity and Coulomb efficiency due to sodium's presence in the positive electrode, negative electrode, and electrolyte solution, which causes side reactions and electrolyte consumption.

Innovation Solution

Minimizing the sodium content in lithium secondary batteries to no more than 500 ppm, specifically in the positive electrode binder, negative electrode, and electrolyte solution, to prevent capacity and efficiency degradation over charging/discharging cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sodium content is reduced to no more than 500 ppm, then battery performance and lifetime are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to stricter material purity requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery performance and lifetimeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific quantitative limits for sodium content (no more than 500 ppm) in battery components. This transforms the qualitative goal of 'reducing impurities' into a measurable and controllable parameter, enabling systematic quality management while achieving improved battery performance and lifetime through minimized sodium content in the positive electrode, negative electrode, and electrolyte solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sodium content is minimized to prevent side reactions, then Coulomb efficiency is maintained, but material selection and processing become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCoulomb efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial selection and processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a specific parameter threshold (sodium content ≤ 500 ppm) that balances the need to prevent side reactions and maintain Coulomb efficiency with the practical constraints of material availability and processing capabilities. This quantitative specification enables manufacturers to select appropriate materials and processes while ensuring the desired electrochemical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If stricter control of sodium content is implemented, then capacity reduction is prevented, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity retentionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines a specific sodium content threshold (no more than 500 ppm) that is sufficient to prevent capacity reduction and maintain battery performance without imposing excessively stringent requirements that would dramatically increase production costs. This balanced parameter specification achieves reliable capacity retention while considering economic feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11848448B2Lithium secondary battery
Publication Date: 2023.12.19 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A lithium secondary battery, and more particularly, to a lithium secondary battery having improved performance by minimizing the content of impurities such as sodium in the battery.