Graphenic Carbon Cathode Coatings for Li-Ion Battery Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion batteries face a trade-off between energy density and weight/volume due to the inclusion of conductive carbon in electrodes, which does not contribute to energy storage but is necessary for charge transport, affecting battery capacity and power density.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating thermally produced graphenic carbon particles into lithium ion battery electrodes, specifically in the cathode coating, to enhance electrical conductivity while minimizing the amount of conductive carbon, thereby increasing the percentage of energy storage material and overall battery capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conductive carbon is used in electrode coatings, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but energy density decreases due to added weight and volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the conductive carbon by using thermal processing (heating to 1000-3000°C) to transform ordinary carbon into graphenic carbon with superior electrical conductivity properties, thereby achieving the same conductivity function with less material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrode coating material consisting of active lithium-containing material combined with thermally produced graphenic carbon particles, where the graphenic carbon provides enhanced conductivity while occupying minimal volume and weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If more conductive carbon is added to increase power density, then charge transport improves, but battery capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower densityVSAvoidbattery capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the quality of conductive carbon through thermal processing to create graphenic structures with exceptionally high electrical conductivity, allowing minimal amounts of carbon to provide sufficient charge transport pathways for high power density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential conductive function from carbon material by using highly efficient graphenic carbon particles, removing the need for large quantities of conventional carbon that would otherwise be required to achieve the same conductivity level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 use of thermally produced graphenic carbon particles reduces electrical resistance and maintains high capacity retention even at high discharge rates, improving the energy storage efficiency of lithium ion batteries.

Implementation Method 1

thermally produced graphenic carbon particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition/Carbonization: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS9761903B2Lithium ion battery electrodes including graphenic carbon particles

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO INC

AI summary

Lithium ion battery electrodes including graphenic carbon particles are disclosed. Lithium ion batteries containing such electrodes are also disclosed. The graphenic carbon particles may be used in cathodes of such batteries by depositing a graphenic carbon particle-containing coating of a conductive substrate such as a metal foil The use of graphenic carbon particles in the cathodes results in improved performance of the lithium ion batteries.