Desodiated sodium transition metal oxides for primary batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited availability of materials that can effectively and reversibly intercalate sodium ions has hindered the development of high-performance primary batteries, limiting their application and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of desodiated sodium transition metal oxides, such as Na0.24H0.76Fe0.35Ni0.65O2, into the positive electrode of primary batteries, utilizing a synthesis method that includes mixing sodium and transition metal oxides, followed by de-intercalating sodium to achieve a formula of NaxMO2 where 0<x≤1.5, enhances electrical performance and reduces costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional Zn-MnO2 dry cell battery materials are used, then manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is good, but battery capacity and energy density are limited and electrical performance is inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using desodiated sodium transition metal oxides with specific formulas (NaxMO2 where 0<x≤1.5) and controlled sodium content (0<y≤1.5 for NaxM1-yO2), achieving superior battery capacity and energy density while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established oxide synthesis methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite transition metal oxides combining multiple metals (e.g., Fe, Ni, Co, Mn in various ratios) to achieve synergistic effects that enhance battery performance, with examples including NaFe0.35Ni0.65O2 and Na0.67Mg0.28Mn0.72O2 that deliver both high capacity and manufacturability
2Productivity
If lithium-ion battery materials are used, then electrical performance and energy density are high, but material cost is high due to lithium scarcity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive and scarce lithium-based materials with abundant, low-cost sodium-based transition metal oxides, achieving comparable energy density performance while dramatically improving material availability and reducing cost, as sodium compounds are naturally abundant and inexpensive
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the sodium content parameter (x in NaxMO2 where 0<x≤1.5) and transition metal ratios to achieve energy density comparable to lithium-ion batteries, demonstrating that performance can be matched through compositional optimization rather than requiring scarce lithium
3Power
If conventional battery materials are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but discharge voltage and electrical performance are inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent elevates the discharge voltage by optimizing the oxidation state and composition of transition metal oxides, achieving superior electrical performance through controlled sodium deintercalation and transition metal ratios, while the synthesis remains accessible through standard ceramic processing
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 desodiated sodium transition metal oxides provide discharge voltages, battery capacities, and energy densities superior to traditional Zn-MnO2 dry cell batteries and comparable to lithium-ion batteries, with potential for up to twice the capacity and energy density of commercially available AA batteries.
Implementation Method 1
Application of sodium in primary batteries has been limited due to the lack of materials that can effectively and reversibly intercalate sodium ions
Implementation Method 2
heating the mixture to form a sodium transition metal oxide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides primary batteries that incorporate a desodiated sodium transition metal oxide into the positive electrode (a cathode). Batteries of the invention using a desodiated sodium transition metal oxide in the cathode exhibit discharge voltages, battery capacities, and energy densities higher than a traditional Zn—MnO2 dry cell battery, such as a commercially available AA battery. These batteries are also advantageous over comparable lithium ion batteries due to the high abundance and low cost of sodium precursor materials with similar electrical performance.