Ceramic-Coated Cathode Material for Solid-State Battery Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid-state batteries face poor lithium migration efficiency and inadequate capacity in cathode materials due to the absence of a liquid electrolyte, leading to suboptimal energy performance and rate capability.

Innovation Solution

A battery cathode material comprising lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, or combinations thereof, coated with a ceramic material like gallium-, aluminum-, or tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide, and wrapped with a carbon-containing gel containing a binder and carbon nanotubes, enhancing ionic and electronic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid-state battery uses ceramic material coated cathode, then lithium-ion conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium-ion conductivityVSAvoidcathode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining cathode material particles with ceramic material coatings and carbon-containing gel matrices. This multi-material composite structure improves lithium-ion conductivity through the ceramic pathways while the carbon gel provides electronic conductivity and structural integration, resolving the contradiction between enhanced performance and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying ceramic material coatings specifically on the surface of cathode particles rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach provides lithium-ion conduction pathways where needed (at particle surfaces) while maintaining the overall cathode structure's integrity and reducing unnecessary complexity in the bulk material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If carbon-containing gel is added to enhance electronic conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidcathode material uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The carbon-containing gel acts as an intermediary material that bridges cathode particles and ceramic coatings. It provides electronic conductivity pathways between particles while its gel nature allows it to conform to particle surfaces and fill voids, reducing manufacturing challenges associated with achieving uniform distributions of conductive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the composition, crosslinking degree, and physical state of the carbon-containing gel. By adjusting these parameters, the gel can be optimized to provide sufficient electronic conductivity while maintaining processability and uniform distribution during manufacturing, thus balancing conductivity enhancement with manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves lithium-ion conductivity and overall electrical conductivity, thereby enhancing the energy performance and rate capacity of solid-state batteries.

Implementation Method 1

the ceramic material surrounds the cathode material and includes gallium-, aluminum-, or tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide, lithium zinc titanate, lithium aluminum titanium phosphate, lithium-zirconium phosphate, lithium zirconate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the carbon-containing conductive material includes a carbon nanotube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectronic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the binder includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium dodecyl sulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, glucose, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12592381B2Battery cathode material

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A battery cathode material includes cathode material, ceramic material, and carbon-containing gel. The cathode material includes lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO), lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium nickel cobalt manganese aluminum oxide (NCMA), or combinations thereof. The ceramic material surrounds the cathode material, and includes gallium, aluminum, or tantalum doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO), lithium zinc titanate (LZTO), lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP), lithium-zirconium phosphate (LZPO), lithium zirconate (LZO), or combinations thereof. The carbon-containing gel wrapping the cathode material, and includes binder and carbon-containing conductive material, in which the binder includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium dodecyl sulfonate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, glucose, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginate, or combinations thereof, and the carbon-containing conductive material includes carbon nanotube.