Functionalized Graphene Composite Particles for High Capacity Lithium Ion Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium ion battery positive electrode active materials have low theoretical capacity and insufficient electrical conductivity, limiting the overall capacity and performance of lithium ion batteries, and existing methods for enhancing conductivity, such as carbon coating and graphene mixing, fail to achieve high battery performance due to poor ionic conductivity and lack of functional groups in graphene.
Innovation Solution
The development of positive electrode active material/graphene composite particles with controlled reduction conditions to introduce functional groups into graphene, enhancing both electron and ionic conductivity, which are then used as a positive electrode material in lithium ion batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high capacity positive electrode active materials are used, then theoretical capacity is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates due to low inherent conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent forms a composite where high capacity active materials (such as lithium iron phosphate or lithium manganese phosphate) are combined with partially reduced graphene oxide. The graphene component provides the necessary electrical conductivity while the active material provides high capacity, resolving the contradiction between capacity and conductivity
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 particles achieve high electron and ionic conductivity, leading to lithium ion batteries with increased capacity and power output by effectively forming a conductive and functionalized graphene matrix with the active material.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a reduction condition of the graphene oxide, and thereby introducing a functional group into the graphene
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A conventional positive electrode material for lithium ion batteries that is made of positive electrode active material/graphene composite particles has low graphene material ion conductivity and is incapable of providing favorable battery performance. In the present invention, positive electrode active material/graphene composite particles are conferred with high electron conductivity and ion conductivity by formation of an appropriately functionalized graphene/positive electrode active material composite, and are capable of yielding a high-capacity/high-output lithium ion secondary battery when used as a positive electrode active material for a lithium ion battery.