Lithium Ion Battery Cathode Conductive Network Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion battery cathodes face challenges due to low conductivity of active materials, leading to high resistance and limited charge/discharge depth, which is exacerbated by the need for conducting additives that increase battery weight and volume.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a paste mixture of active materials, adhesive, and carbon nanotubes, where a carbon nanotube layer structure is applied and processed to form a precursor, which is then curled and pressed to disperse carbon nanotubes uniformly, reducing resistance while maintaining a low weight ratio of additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conducting additive is increased to decrease resistance, then conductivity is improved, but weight and volume of the battery will increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form of carbon additive from conventional powder to flake-shaped particles with specific dimensional parameters (length 1-10 μm, width 1-10 μm, thickness 0.1-1 μm). This parameter change enables the carbon additive to form conductive networks more efficiently, achieving the required conductivity with lower weight content (0.1-5 wt%).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where flake-shaped carbon particles are distributed within the cathode active material matrix. The flake shape provides both conductive pathways and structural reinforcement, creating a synergistic effect that improves conductivity while minimizing weight addition.
2Reliability
If conducting additive is increased to decrease resistance, then conductivity is improved, but volume of the battery will increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form of carbon additive from conventional powder to flake-shaped particles with specific dimensional parameters (length 1-10 μm, width 1-10 μm, thickness 0.1-1 μm). This parameter change enables the carbon additive to form conductive networks more efficiently, achieving the required conductivity with lower weight content (0.1-5 wt%).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where flake-shaped carbon particles are distributed within the cathode active material matrix. The flake shape provides both conductive pathways and structural reinforcement, creating a synergistic effect that improves conductivity while minimizing weight addition.
3Weight of moving object
If low weight ratio of additives is used, then weight is reduced, but conductivity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form of carbon additive from conventional powder to flake-shaped particles with specific dimensional parameters (length 1-10 μm, width 1-10 μm, thickness 0.1-1 μm). This parameter change enables the carbon additive to form conductive networks more efficiently, achieving the required conductivity with lower weight content (0.1-5 wt%).
Solution Approach 2:
The flake-shaped carbon particles create a two-dimensional conductive network that copies the surface topology of the cathode active material particles. This network structure provides multiple parallel conductive pathways, enhancing conductivity efficiency at low additive concentrations.
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 method results in a lithium ion battery cathode with reduced resistivity and increased specific capacity, achieving better conductivity and cycling performance with a lower weight ratio of additives compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon nanotube layer structure is applied on a surface of the sheet structure to form a precursor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making a cathode of lithium ion battery is provided. A paste mixture including active material of lithium ion battery cathode and adhesive is provided first. Then the paste mixture is pressed to get a sheet structure. The sheet structure has a surface. A carbon nanotube layer structure is applied on the surface of the sheet structure to form a precursor. Then the precursor is curled to form a curled precursor, and the curled precursor is pressed and dried.