Composite Electrode Material for High-Power Lithium-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for electrode materials that can maintain good capacity retention at high current densities and high power densities for lithium-ion batteries and double-layer capacitors, as many organic electrode materials degrade when cycled to higher potentials.
Innovation Solution
A composite material is developed, comprising an electrochemically active inorganic particulate material and an electrochemically active organic material with specific subunits, which includes polymerization in an organic solvent, adding conditioners for conductivity and a binder, forming a slurry that deposits on the inorganic particles for enhanced energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If organic electrode materials are used to achieve higher power densities and gravimetric energy densities, then power density and energy density are improved, but capacity retention deteriorates when cycled to higher potentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines organic electrode materials with inorganic particulate materials to form a composite electrode structure. The inorganic material provides structural stability and prevents degradation at high potentials, while the organic material contributes high power density and gravimetric energy density. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing the organic component to deliver high power while the inorganic component ensures capacity retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of organic electrode materials by introducing specific functional groups and molecular architectures that enhance electrochemical stability. By changing parameters such as molecular weight, functional group composition, and structural configuration, the material maintains high power density while improving capacity retention at elevated potentials.
2Use of energy by moving object
If organic electrode materials are cycled to higher potentials to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but material degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic particulate material acts as an intermediary protective phase between the organic electrode material and the harsh high-potential environment. This intermediary layer prevents direct exposure of the organic material to degradation-inducing conditions while still allowing electrochemical reactions to proceed, thereby enabling high energy density operation without proportional material degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates stabilizing components and protective structures in advance within the electrode design. These preemptive measures, including the inorganic matrix and stabilized organic compound structures, cushion against degradation before it occurs, allowing the material to withstand higher potentials and deliver increased energy density without suffering catastrophic breakdown.
3Reliability
If inorganic particulate material is combined with organic material to form composite, then capacity retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the inorganic particulate material in specific regions or phases within the electrode structure where it provides maximum stabilizing benefit. Rather than uniformly mixing all components throughout, the inorganic material is strategically positioned to provide structural support and degradation protection at critical interfaces and high-potential zones, thereby improving capacity retention while minimizing overall compositional complexity.
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 material achieves improved capacity retention and power density, with the organic material's reversible oxidation/reduction mechanism and nitroxide radicals contributing to stable energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
reversible oxidation/reduction reactions of compounds containing stable radicals such as nitroxide radicals
Implementation Method 2
reversible oxidation/reduction reactions of compounds containing stable radicals such as nitroxide radicals
Implementation Method 3
reversible oxidation/reduction reactions of compounds containing stable radicals such as nitroxide radicals
Data Source
AI summary
A composite material includes an electrochemically active organic material and an electrochemically active inorganic material. The organic material contains subunits according to formulae (I) and/or (II)wherein n is an integer not smaller than 2, Y represents an amide group (—NH—CO— or —CO—NH—), an ester group (—O—CO— or —CO—O—) or a urethane group (—NH—CO—O— or —O—CO—NH—), R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent H, alkyl (preferably —CH3, —C2H5), alkoxy-(preferably —OCH3, —OC2H5), -halogen or —CN, Ar1 and Ar4 independently represent a bridging aryl group, Ar2 and Ar3 independently represent a non-bridging aryl group, and R5 is a bridging alkyl, alkene or aryl group.