Composite Electrode Active Material for Lithium Battery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode active materials in lithium batteries suffer from degradation under high temperature and high voltage conditions, leading to reduced battery performance and capacity retention due to accelerated side reactions and surface area increases caused by volume changes during charging/discharging.

Innovation Solution

A composite electrode active material is developed, featuring a core capable of intercalating/deintercalating lithium, coated with a surface treatment layer composed of lithium-free oxide with a spinel structure and dopants like fluorine, sulfur, nitrogen, boron, or phosphorous, which acts as a protective layer to suppress side reactions and stabilize the crystal structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a core electrode active material is used to provide lithium intercalation/deintercalation, then battery capacity is improved, but the core degrades under high temperature and high voltage conditions due to side reactions and volume changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium capacityVSAvoidstability under high temperature and high voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A surface treatment layer comprising a lithium-free oxide with spinel structure is introduced as an intermediary between the core electrode active material and the external environment. This surface treatment layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the core and harmful conditions (high temperature, high voltage, electrolyte), thereby reducing side reactions and stabilizing the core structure during charging/discharging cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode active material is designed as a composite structure combining a core material (capable of lithium intercalation) with a surface treatment layer (lithium-free oxide with spinel structure). This composite structure integrates the high capacity特性 of the core with the stability and protective properties of the surface treatment layer, achieving both high capacity and high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the core undergoes volume changes during charging and discharging, then lithium intercalation capacity is improved, but the surface area increases leading to accelerated side reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium intercalation capacityVSAvoidside reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surface treatment layer serves as a mediator that isolates the core from direct interaction with the electrolyte and other components. Even when the core undergoes volume expansion/contraction during lithium intercalation/deintercalation, the surface treatment layer maintains a stable interface, preventing the increased surface area from directly exposing more reactive sites to the electrolyte, thus reducing side reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a protective surface treatment layer is added to prevent core degradation, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability under high temperature and high voltageVSAvoidcomposite structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the entire electrode structure, the surface treatment layer is applied locally only to the surface of the core particles. This localized approach provides protection where it is most needed (at the interface with electrolyte) while maintaining the bulk properties of the core material, thus minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 composite electrode active material enhances battery stability and capacity retention by preventing core degradation and maintaining performance under high temperature and high voltage conditions, improving charge/discharge characteristics and extending battery life.

Implementation Method 1

a surface treatment layer disposed on the core, wherein the surface treatment layer includes a lithium-free oxide that has a spinel structure and includes a dopant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface treatment layer protection:

Implementation Method 2

a core, which is capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the dopant includes at least one selected from fluorine, sulfur, nitrogen, boron, and phosphorous

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoping: Dopants

Data Source

PatentUS10305090B2Composite electrode active material, electrode and lithium battery including the composite electrode active material, and method of preparing the composite electrode active material

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A composite electrode active material including: a core, which is capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium; and a surface treatment layer disposed on the core, wherein the surface treatment layer comprises a lithium-free oxide that has a spinel structure and includes a dopant, wherein the dopant includes at least one selected from fluorine, sulfur, nitrogen, boron, and phosphorous.