Boron-Coated Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Battery Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high power characteristics and thermal stability, particularly in electric vehicles, due to limitations in the output and lifespan of cathode active materials.

Innovation Solution

A cathode active material is developed by coating lithium metal oxide particles with a boron compound, forming a secondary particle structure that enhances lithium ion conductivity and particle hardness, thereby improving the battery's output characteristics and thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a coating layer including a boron compound is positioned on the surface of a primary particle, then lithium ion conductivity is improved and output characteristic is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to additional coating process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput characteristicVSAvoidcoating process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The boron compound coating layer is formed on the primary particle surface before the cathode active material is assembled into the battery. This preliminary coating action ensures that the lithium ion conductivity enhancement is already in place before the material enters service, resolving the contradiction by preparing the improved state in advance rather than requiring complex in-situ modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the primary particle material with a boron compound coating layer to create a composite structure. This composite material approach enhances lithium ion conductivity and output characteristic while managing the complexity through a well-defined multi-layer structure that can be manufactured using established coating techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If particle hardness is increased by coating with boron compound, then thermal stability is improved and high temperature lifespan is extended, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh temperature lifespanVSAvoidcoating uniformity precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the coating layer parameters including the boron compound composition, coating thickness, and formation conditions to achieve the desired hardness and thermal stability. By carefully controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the manufacturing precision requirements are managed while still achieving significant improvements in high temperature lifespan and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If a coating layer is added to improve output characteristic, then battery performance is enhanced, but energy density decreases due to additional material mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput characteristicVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The boron compound coating is applied locally on the primary particle surface rather than as a bulk modification. This localized approach provides the necessary lithium ion conductivity enhancement and output characteristic improvement at the critical interface regions where lithium ion exchange occurs, while minimizing the overall mass addition and preserving energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 boron-coated cathode active material significantly improves the lithium secondary battery's output characteristics, suppresses side reactions with the electrolyte, and enhances high-temperature lifespan and resistance, leading to better performance and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a coating layer including a boron compound having lithium ion conductivity is positioned on the surface of a primary particle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLithium ion conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

particle hardness of the cathode active material is increased, side reactions with an electrolyte solution may be suppressed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical barrier effect: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20220388852A1Cathode active material, preparation method therefor and lithium secondary battery comprising same

Publication Date: 2022.12.08 POHANG IRON & STEEL CO LTD

AI summary

The present exemplary embodiments relate to a cathode active material, a manufacturing method thereof, and a lithium secondary battery including the same. A cathode active material according to an exemplary embodiment is a lithium metal oxide particle in the form of a secondary particle including a primary particle, a coating layer including a boron compound is positioned on at least a portion of a surface of the primary particle, and the boron compound includes an amorphous structure.