Amorphous Copper Manganese Oxide Cathode for High Capacity Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium batteries face challenges in achieving higher energy density and longer service life, with existing composite cathode materials often resulting in lower total capacity and initial voltage sag due to the integration of end-of-life indicators, which limits their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous electrochemical cell utilizing an amorphous or semi-crystalline copper manganese oxide cathode material, optionally combined with fluorinated carbon, which provides improved energy density, rate capability, and an effective end-of-life indicator through a voltage plateau, enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional composite cathode materials are used to provide end-of-life indicators, then the battery can detect battery status, but the total capacity decreases and initial voltage sag occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the end-of-life indicator function from separate composite materials and integrates it into the copper manganese oxide material itself. The copper manganese oxide inherently provides both capacity delivery and end-of-life indication through its voltage plateau characteristics, eliminating the need for additional indicator materials that would reduce total capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The copper manganese oxide material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the primary capacity-providing cathode material and also provides end-of-life indication through its characteristic voltage plateau. This multi-functionality eliminates the trade-off between capacity and indicator functionality.
2Reliability
If conventional composite cathode materials are used to provide end-of-life indicators, then the battery can detect battery status, but initial voltage sag occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful voltage sag effect by eliminating the composite material interface problems. The pure copper manganese oxide material provides stable initial voltage without the voltage depression that occurs in conventional composite cathodes containing multiple materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from conventional composite materials to pure copper manganese oxide with specific Cu:Mn ratios. This parameter change fundamentally alters the electrochemical behavior, providing stable initial voltage while maintaining end-of-life indication capabilities.
3Use of energy by moving object
If higher energy cathode materials are developed to create smaller batteries, then energy density increases, but service life and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cathode material composition to copper manganese oxide with optimized Cu:Mn ratios, which provides high energy density while maintaining structural stability. The specific composition parameters enable both high capacity and long service life, resolving the trade-off between energy density and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copper manganese oxide as a composite oxide material with synergistic properties. The combination of copper and manganese in specific ratios provides both high energy density and enhanced stability, enabling long service life while maintaining high energy content.
4Reliability
If mixed cathode materials are used to enhance rate capability and stability, then performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters of copper manganese oxide (Cu:Mn ratios) to achieve both high rate capability and stability. By tuning these compositional parameters, the material inherently provides enhanced performance without requiring complex multi-component systems.
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 copper manganese oxide and fluorinated carbon combination achieves higher specific capacity and energy density compared to conventional materials, with the amorphous or semi-crystalline structure optimizing the battery's performance and providing a reliable end-of-life indicator, enabling longer battery life and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
CuaMnbOc+2aLi++2ae−→2aLi++CuaMnbOc and CuaMnbOc+2bLi++2be−→2bLi++CuaMnbOc
Implementation Method 2
lithium ions may be inserted into and/or absorbed by the copper manganese oxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a high capacity cathode material suitable for use in a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that comprises copper manganese oxide, which may be in amorphous or semi-crystalline form, and optionally fluorinated carbon. The present disclosure additionally relates to a non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising such a cathode material and, in particular, to such a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that can deliver a higher capacity than conventional cell.