Composite Cathode Coating for Nickel-Rich Battery Side-Reaction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nickel-based cathode active materials in lithium batteries suffer from diminished lifetime characteristics and unsatisfactory thermal stability due to side reactions, necessitating a solution to prevent or reduce degradations in battery performance.

Innovation Solution

A composite cathode active material is developed, comprising a core of lithium transition metal oxide coated with a shell containing a first metal oxide, a carbonaceous material, and a doped fluorine element, which enhances electrochemical reactivity and conductivity, thereby reducing side reactions and improving reversibility of electrode reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If nickel-based cathode active materials are used to achieve high capacity, then battery energy density is improved, but side reactions occur causing diminished lifetime characteristics and unsatisfactory thermal stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy densityVSAvoidlifetime characteristics and thermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shell comprising a metal oxide and a carbonaceous material is introduced as an intermediary layer between the nickel-based cathode active material and the electrolyte. This shell acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact and harmful side reactions, while still allowing lithium ion diffusion. The shell includes a metal oxide represented by formula MaOb (0 < a ≤ 2, 0.5 < b ≤ 2) and a carbonaceous material, with a total metal oxide content of 1-20 wt% and carbonaceous material content of 80-99 wt%

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cathode active material is designed as a composite structure combining nickel-based material with a shell made of metal oxide and carbonaceous material. This composite structure leverages the high capacity of nickel-based materials while the shell provides protective functions, creating a material that achieves both high energy density and improved reliability through the synergistic combination of different materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a shell is formed to prevent side reactions, then reversibility of electrode reactions is improved, but electron conduction may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereversibility of electrode reactionsVSAvoidelectron conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The shell's composition parameters are optimized to balance protection and conductivity. The metal oxide content is controlled at 1-20 wt% and carbonaceous material at 80-99 wt%, with specific formulas MaOb (0 < a ≤ 2, 0.5 < b ≤ 2) selected. These parameter adjustments ensure the shell provides sufficient protective function while maintaining adequate electron conduction capability through the carbonaceous material component

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 composite cathode active material improves cycle characteristics, high-rate performance, and high-temperature and high-voltage stability of lithium batteries by suppressing side reactions and increasing electron and ion conduction.

Implementation Method 1

a shell disposed on and conforming to a surface of the core, wherein the shell includes: at least one first metal oxide represented by formula MaOb (0 < a ≤ 2, 0.5 < b ≤ 2), and a carbonaceous material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical barrier:

Implementation Method 2

a composite cathode active material includes: a core including a lithium transition metal oxide; and a shell disposed on and conforming to a surface of the core, wherein the shell includes: at least one first metal oxide represented by formula MaOb (0 < a ≤ 2, 0.5 < b ≤ 2), and a carbonaceous material, and a doped fluorine element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction enhancement:

Implementation Method 3

improves reversibility of electrode reactions, and thereby prevents (reduces) degradations in lithium performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction:

Data Source

PatentUS12580180B2Composite cathode active material, cathode and lithium battery containing composite cathode active material and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A composite cathode active material, a cathode including the same, a lithium battery, and a method of preparing a composite cathode active material are provided. The composite cathode active material includes: a core including a lithium transition metal oxide; and a shell disposed on and conforming to a surface of the core The shell includes: at least one first metal oxide represented by formula MaOb (0<a≤3 and 0<b<4, and if a 1, 2, or 3, b is not an integer); a carbonaceous material; and a doped fluorine (F) element, and the first metal oxide is disposed in a carbonaceous material matrix, and M is at least one metal selected from among Group 2 to Group 13, Group 15, and Group 16 metals in the Periodic Table.