Clad Lithium Supplement Material for Stable High-Capacity Li-Ion Anodes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium supplement materials suffer from low efficiency, poor chemical stability, and poor conductivity, leading to irreversible capacity loss and reduced energy density in lithium-ion batteries, especially with silicon-based and tin-based negative electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A lithium supplement material comprising Li5Fe1-xMxO4 with a cladding layer of M′-doped ZnO or ZnO composite oxide, where M′ ions form a substitutional solid solution with ZnO, enhancing stability and conductivity by inhibiting reactions with air and improving lithium supplement capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If Li5Fe1-xMxO4 is used as lithium supplement material, then lithium supplement capacity is improved, but chemical stability deteriorates due to reactions with air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium supplement capacityVSAvoidchemical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure where Li5Fe1-xMxO4 particles are coated with a carbon layer. The carbon layer acts as a protective shell that prevents direct contact between Li5Fe1-xMxO4 and air, thereby maintaining chemical stability while preserving the lithium supplement capacity of the core material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The carbon coating creates an inert environment around the Li5Fe1-xMxO4 particles, isolating them from reactive gases in air such as oxygen and moisture. This inert barrier prevents oxidation and decomposition reactions, ensuring long-term chemical stability of the lithium supplement material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Quantity of substance

If Li5Fe1-xMxO4 is used as lithium supplement material, then lithium supplement capacity is improved, but conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium supplement capacityVSAvoidconductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure with Li5Fe1-xMxO4 as the core and carbon as the coating layer. The carbon layer serves dual functions: protecting the core from chemical degradation and providing excellent electrical conductivity pathways. This composite design successfully combines the high lithium supplement capacity of Li5Fe1-xMxO4 with the superior conductivity of carbon, resolving the conductivity deterioration issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 proposed material significantly improves initial coulomb efficiency and cycle performance of lithium-ion batteries by maintaining lithium supplement capacity and ensuring better conductive performance, thus enhancing battery consistency.

Implementation Method 1

the cladding layer includes M′ ion-doped ZnO or ZnO composite oxide, and the M′ ion is an ion capable of forming a substitutional solid solution with ZnO or ZnO composite oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSubstitutional solid solution: Solid Solution Strengthening

Data Source

PatentUS20250336977A1Lithium supplement material, positive electrode, electrochemical apparatus, and power consumption device

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 BYD CO LTD

AI summary

This disclosure provides lithium supplement materials, including Li5Fe1-xMxO4 and a cladding layer disposed on a surface of Li5Fe1-xMxO4. In Li5Fe1-xMxO4, where M is at least one of Ni, Mn, Ru, Cr, Cu, Nb, Al, Mg, Ca, Ga, Ti, and Mo, and 0≤x≤0.2. The cladding layer includes M′-doped zinc oxide or M′-doped composite oxide based on zinc oxide, and M′is an ion capable of forming a substitutional solid solution with zinc oxide or composite oxide based on zinc oxide.