Electrode Active Composition with Dual-Size LCO for High-Voltage Cycling

Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium-ion battery electrode active materials do not offer optimal performance in terms of specific energy, cycling performance, and high-voltage capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A novel electrode active composition comprising lithium cobalt oxide particles with specific size ratios and ternary material particles, including a core-coating layer structure, is developed, which improves the battery's compacted density and electrochemical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrode active materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but specific energy, cycling performance, and high-voltage capabilities are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling performanceVSAvoidcomposition structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining lithium cobalt oxide particles with ternary material particles in a specific size ratio configuration. This composite structure integrates the high voltage capability of lithium cobalt oxide with the enhanced cycling stability of ternary materials, achieving superior overall performance while managing the complexity through a defined binary composition system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous particle size distribution where large particles (>11 μm) and small particles (<6 μm) of lithium cobalt oxide are combined with ternary material particles in controlled ratios. This local variation in particle size and composition optimizes both electron conduction (through small particles) and overall structural stability (through large particles), addressing multiple performance requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If particle size is increased to improve volumetric specific energy, then volumetric energy density improves, but surface area for lithium ion insertion decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolumetric specific energyVSAvoidrate performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lithium cobalt oxide component into two distinct particle size ranges: large particles (>11 μm) that contribute to high volumetric energy density, and small particles (<6 μm) that provide sufficient surface area for rapid lithium ion insertion. This segmentation allows the electrode to achieve both high volumetric specific energy and保持良好的 rate performance by distributing different functional responsibilities across different particle size segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by precisely controlling the particle size distribution parameters of lithium cobalt oxide, maintaining a specific ratio (0.2-4.8) between large and small particles. This parameter optimization ensures that the cumulative surface area from small particles compensates for the reduced surface-to-volume ratio of large particles, thereby maintaining high rate performance while achieving superior volumetric energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If high voltage operation is implemented to increase energy density, then specific energy improves, but material stability and cycling life deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific energyVSAvoidmaterial stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining lithium cobalt oxide particles with ternary material particles in a specific size ratio configuration. This composite structure integrates the high voltage capability of lithium cobalt oxide with the enhanced cycling stability of ternary materials, achieving superior overall performance while managing the complexity through a defined binary composition system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous particle size distribution where large particles (>11 μm) and small particles (<6 μm) of lithium cobalt oxide are combined with ternary material particles in controlled ratios. This local variation in particle size and composition optimizes both electron conduction (through small particles) and overall structural stability (through large particles), addressing multiple performance requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12002947B2Electrode active composition, preparation method thereof, electrode, battery, and apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED

AI summary

This application relates to an electrode active composition, a preparation method thereof, an electrode, a battery, and an apparatus. The electrode active composition includes: a first component, the first component being lithium cobalt oxide particles; and a second component, the second component being ternary material particles. The first component includes lithium cobalt oxide particles with a particle size greater than 11 μm and lithium cobalt oxide particles with a particle size less than 6 μm, and a ratio in number of the lithium cobalt oxide particles with a particle size greater than 11 μm to the lithium cobalt oxide particles with a particle size less than 6 μm is 0.2-4.8, and in some embodiments, 0.2-2.8. A summed number of the lithium cobalt oxide particles with a particle size greater than 11 μm and the lithium cobalt oxide particles with a particle size less than 6 μm accounts for above 90% of a total number of particles in the first component.