Positive Electrode Carbon Layer Plasma Doping for Faster Ion Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The slow diffusion rate of lithium/sodium ions in existing positive electrode materials limits the energy and power density of lithium/sodium ion batteries, necessitating the development of high-performance materials with improved interface affinity and conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A cold plasma treatment method is applied to the positive electrode material, doping a carbon layer with active particles to enhance surface energy and create a NaF layer, resulting in a rod-like shape that improves ionic and electronic conductivity, and enhances compatibility with the electrolyte.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional positive electrode materials are used, then the battery structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lithium/sodium ion diffusion rate is slow, limiting energy and power density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy density and power densityVSAvoidlithium/sodium ion diffusion rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cold plasma treatment specifically to the surface of the positive electrode material particles, creating a modified surface layer with different properties from the bulk material. This local modification enhances surface energy and interface affinity with electrolyte without changing the overall material composition, thereby improving ion diffusion kinetics at the critical electrode-electrolyte interface while maintaining the stability of the bulk material structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrode material surface through cold plasma treatment, including surface energy, surface composition, and surface morphology. These parameter changes result in improved wettability with electrolyte and enhanced ion diffusion pathways, directly addressing the slow diffusion rate limitation without requiring fundamental material restructuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the positive electrode material surface is modified to improve interface affinity, then energy density and cycle life improve, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle life and energy densityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex multi-step chemical surface modification processes with cold plasma treatment, which uses physical plasma discharge to achieve surface modification. This substitution simplifies the processing workflow by consolidating surface activation, cleaning, and functionalization into a single treatment step, reducing processing complexity while achieving improved interface affinity and electrochemical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cold plasma treatment process allows for controlled modification of surface parameters (energy, composition, morphology) through adjustable processing parameters such as power, gas flow rate, and treatment duration. This controllable parameter adjustment enables optimization of surface properties for improved cycle life and energy density without requiring complex processing equipment or multiple sequential steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 treated materials exhibit higher energy density, cycle life, and rate performance, with reduced polarization and impedance, while maintaining structural stability and environmental friendliness.

Implementation Method 1

performing cold plasma treatment on positive material with at least part of a carbon layer on a surface of a battery to be treated for doping the carbon layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCold plasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

the discharge to generate cold plasma may be selected from one or a combination of radio-frequency plasma discharge, corona discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, and sliding arc discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 3

at least part of the surface of the doped positive electrode material forms a NaF layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface coating: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4462515B1Battery positive electrode material and treatment method therefor, and battery
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 KUNMING UNIV OF SCI & TECH
  • EP4462515B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4462515B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4462515B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a battery positive electrode material and a method for treating the battery positive electrode material and a battery. The method for treating battery positive electrode material includes: cold plasma treatment of at least part of the battery positive electrode material with carbon layer on the surface to be treated to have active particles doped in the carbon layer, where the doping amount is not less than 50 ppm. At least part of the surface of the positive electrode material of the battery contains a carbon layer and at least part of the surface has a rod-like shape. The carbon layer is a carbon layer doped with active particles after cold plasma treatment, and a high-sodium ion conductance NaF layer is formed on the surface of the positive electrode material. The method of the present disclosure can enhance the particle surface energy of the positive battery material, improve its interface affinity with the electrolyte, and obtain the positive electrode material with uniform texture, low porosity, high ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity.