Li-ion Battery Cathode Material Reducing Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining capacity retention rates during charge-discharge cycles due to the presence of alkali metal hydroxide impurities in the positive electrode active material, which increase resistance and lead to rapid performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode active material comprising a mixture of Li x (Ni y Co z Al w )O 2 and Li 1+u Mn 2-u/3 O 4, with carefully controlled composition ratios and minimal alkali metal hydroxide content (0.15% by mass or less), is used to reduce resistance and enhance capacity retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional positive electrode active materials are used, then initial capacity is achieved, but capacity retention rate deteriorates due to alkali metal hydroxide impurities increasing resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity retention rateVSAvoidresistance increase from alkali metal hydroxide
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by strictly controlling the alkali metal hydroxide content to 0.15% by mass or less in the positive electrode active material. This quantitative parameter control prevents the harmful effect of resistance increase while maintaining the electrochemical performance of the lithium ion secondary battery during charge-discharge cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniform distribution and controlled concentration of alkali metal hydroxide impurities within the positive electrode active material. By maintaining homogeneous local composition with minimal hydroxide content throughout the material structure, the resistance increase is prevented while preserving capacity retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If alkali metal hydroxide content is not controlled, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but performance degradation accelerates due to resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity retention rateVSAvoidalkali metal hydroxide content control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a clear quantitative parameter threshold (0.15% by mass or less of alkali metal hydroxide) that provides a measurable manufacturing target. This parameter specification enables manufacturers to control impurity levels through standard quality assurance processes while achieving improved capacity retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs purification processes during manufacturing that utilize washing and filtration techniques to remove alkali metal hydroxide impurities from the positive electrode active material. These hydraulic/pneumatic methods effectively reduce hydroxide content to the required 0.15% or less while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Data Source

PatentEP3109929B1Lithium ion secondary battery cathode and lithium ion secondary battery using same
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 NEC ENERGY DEVICES LTD
  • EP3109929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3109929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3109929B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a lithium ion secondary battery having a high capacity retention rate in the charge-discharge cycles. There is provided a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery, including a positive electrode active material including a compound represented by the following formula (1), Lix(NiyCo2Alw)O2, wherein, in formula (1), 0.95≤x≤1.05, 0.70≤y≤0.85, 0.05≤z≤0.20, 0.00≤w≤0.10, and y+z+w=1, and a compound represented by the following formula (2), Li1+uMn2-u/3O4, wherein, in formula (2), 0≤u≤0.05, wherein the content of the alkali metal hydroxide in the positive electrode active material is 0.15% by mass or less.