Bow-Shaped Carbon Negative Electrode for Li-Ion Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion secondary batteries experience capacity degradation due to repeated charge and discharge cycles, storage in a charged state, and float charging, primarily attributed to the lower charge/discharge efficiency of the negative electrode, leading to irreversible changes in the operation ranges of electrode potentials and reduced battery capacity.

Innovation Solution

A carbon material for the negative electrode is developed using raw petroleum coke, processed through delayed coking, pulverization, carbonization, and graphitization, with specific conditions to achieve a structure of stacked plates curved into a bow shape, enhancing lithium diffusion and reducing capacity degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional carbon materials are used as negative electrode, then high energy density per unit volume is achieved, but capacity degradation occurs due to lower charge/discharge efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcapacity degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the structural parameters of graphite particles by controlling the coking process conditions (temperature 400-600°C, pressure 400-800 kPa) and raw material composition to achieve a specific bow-shaped curved plate structure with controlled plate thickness and curvature radius, which improves charge/discharge efficiency while maintaining high energy density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite raw materials consisting of multiple components (petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, mesophase pitch) in specific ratios to create a composite carbon material with optimized properties that combines high energy density with improved charge/discharge efficiency and reduced capacity degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If graphite-based carbon materials are used, then high energy density per unit volume is achieved, but irreversible changes in electrode potential operation ranges occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidelectrode potential operation range
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes process parameters including coking temperature (400-600°C), pressure (400-800 kPa), and holding time to control the formation of the bow-shaped curved plate structure, which stabilizes the electrode potential operation range while maintaining high energy density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention skips the conventional high-temperature graphitization process (2000-3000°C) by achieving the desired curved plate structure at lower coking temperatures, thereby preventing irreversible structural changes and stabilizing the electrode potential operation range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Shape

If delayed coking is performed at high temperature and pressure, then curved plate structure is formed, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurved plate structureVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the coking process parameters (temperature 400-600°C, pressure 400-800 kPa, holding time) to achieve the bow-shaped curved plate structure under milder conditions than conventional methods, simplifying the production process while maintaining the desired shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses specific raw materials (petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, mesophase pitch) as intermediaries that facilitate the formation of the curved plate structure during coking, enabling the desired shape to be achieved more easily and with less process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 carbon material maintains high charge/discharge capacity and suppresses capacity degradation, ensuring high reliability for lithium ion secondary batteries, particularly suitable for applications in automobiles and power storage infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

when a heavy oil is treated at high temperatures, thermal decomposition and polycondensation reactions will occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

thermal decomposition and polycondensation reactions will occur, liquid crystal spherules referred to as 'mesophase' are formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolycondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

calcining the raw coke material powder at 1000 to 1500°C for carbonization to obtain calcined coke

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 4

pulverizing and graphitizing the calcined coke at a temperature of 2200 to 2800°C to obtain graphitized coke

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGraphitization: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP2693541B1Carbon material for negative electrode of lithium ion secondary battery and production method therefor
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORP
  • EP2693541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP2693541B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2693541B1 patent drawing

AI summary

There is provided a carbon material for a negative electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery which is capable of maintaining a high level of charge and discharge capacity and suppressing capacity degradation which will occur due to repetition of a charge and discharge cycle, storage under a charged state, and float charging. The carbon material for a negative electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes: particles having a structure including a plurality of stacked plates which are prepared from a raw coke materials obtained by a delayed coking method, where the ratio of the total of the generation rate (mass%) of a hydrogen gas, a hydrocarbon gas having one carbon atom (C1 gas), and a hydrocarbon gas having two carbon atoms (C2 gas) to be generated by subjecting a heavy oil to coking and the formation rate (mass%) of a raw coke materials satisfies the condition: total of generation rate/formation rate = 0.30 to 0.60, and where the structure is curved into a bow shape, and where, in each of the plates, an average plate thickness is defined as T, an average bow height including the plate thickness is defined as H, and an average length in the vertical direction is defined as L, L/T is 5.0 or more and H/T is from 1.10 to 1.25.