Core-Shell Anode Active Material for Lithium Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face challenges in anode fabrication due to the hydrophobic nature of carbon-based anode active materials, leading to low dispersion uniformity and complex electrolyte impregnation, as well as initial irreversible reactions and capacity reduction due to the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer formation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a core-shell structure where a crystalline carbon-based material is coated with a composite layer of low crystalline or amorphous carbon and a metal or non-metal capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, achieved through a process of mixing, purification, and calcination, to enhance hydrophilicity and electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a carbon-based material is used as an anode active material, then high energy density and long cycle span are achieved, but hydrophobicity causes low dispersion uniformity and complex electrolyte impregnation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon-based anode active material with hydrophilic materials (such as metal oxides, hydroxides, or polymers) to create a composite structure. This composite approach maintains the high energy density and long cycle span of carbon-based materials while the hydrophilic component improves dispersion uniformity in the slurry and facilitates electrolyte impregnation, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
2Quantity of substance
If a carbon-based material is used as an anode active material, then high energy density is achieved, but hydrophobicity complicates electrolyte impregnation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by integrating carbon-based anode active material with hydrophilic materials to form a composite structure. The hydrophilic component accelerates electrolyte impregnation while the carbon-based material maintains high energy density, thus resolving the contradiction between quantity of substance and productivity.
3Reliability
If additional processes are implemented to form an oxide layer or strengthen SEI layer bonding, then operating properties are improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the formation of oxide layers and SEI layer strengthening into a single integrated process step rather than separate additional processes. By combining these functions into one treatment step, the patent improves operating properties while minimizing the impact on productivity, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
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
This approach improves dispersion uniformity, reduces impregnation time, maintains electrical conductivity, and increases anode capacity by forming a stable SEI layer, thereby enhancing battery productivity and cycle performance.
Implementation Method 1
calcining the core-shell precursor to carbonize the material for preparing the at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon into the at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon
Implementation Method 2
a metal and/or a non-metal capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method including (a) mixing a precursor of a material for preparing at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon with a metal and/or a non-metal capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, followed by purification to prepare a mixture for coating, (b) mixing the mixture for coating with a crystalline carbon-based material to prepare a core-shell precursor in which the mixture for coating is coated on a core including the crystalline carbon-based material, and (c) calcining the core-shell precursor to carbonize the material for preparing the at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon into the at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon.