Graphite Negative Electrode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative electrode materials for nonaqueous secondary batteries, particularly graphite, face issues with lithium deposition, high-rate charging/discharging characteristics, and cycle performance due to inadequate electrode orientation and particle size distribution, leading to irreversible capacity and durability concerns.

Innovation Solution

A negative electrode material composed of graphite particles with specific size, tapping density, and orientation characteristics, combined with a binder and graphitization process, to enhance electrode structure and performance, including a median diameter of 5-40 μm, tapping density of 0.7 g/cm3 or more, and a graphite crystal orientation ratio of 0.08 or more, achieved through a method involving mixing, kneading, molding, graphitization, and classification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If graphite particles are used as negative electrode material, then lithium metal deposition is prevented, but high-rate charging/discharging characteristics and cycle performance deteriorate due to electrode orientation and expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of lithium metal depositionVSAvoidhigh-rate charging/discharging characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the particle size distribution of graphite particles within a specific range (d50: 3-15 μm, d90/d10 ratio: 1.05-1.30) and adjusting the orientation ratio parameter (I002/I100) to 0.05 or less. These parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by enabling both prevention of lithium deposition and maintenance of high-rate charging/discharging characteristics through precise control of particle morphology and orientation in the electrode structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If graphite particles are used as negative electrode material, then lithium metal deposition is prevented, but cycle performance deteriorates due to significant electrode expansion in charging/discharging cycle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of lithium metal depositionVSAvoidcycle performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by optimizing the particle size distribution parameters (d50 between 3-15 μm, d90/d10 ratio between 1.05-1.30) and controlling the orientation ratio (I002/I100 ≤ 0.05). These parameter optimizations reduce electrode expansion during charging/discharging cycles while maintaining the ability to prevent lithium metal deposition, thereby improving cycle performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining graphite particles with specific size distribution and orientation characteristics with a binder and conductive agent to form a composite electrode material. This composite structure mitigates electrode expansion issues while maintaining the lithium deposition prevention capability of graphite, thus improving cycle performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If graphite granulated particles with bonded particles are used, then electrode orientation is improved and high-rate charging/discharging characteristics are improved, but irreversible capacity and cycle performance remain inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-rate charging/discharging characteristicsVSAvoidirreversible capacity and cycle performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through precise parameter changes by optimizing the particle size distribution (d50: 3-15 μm, d90/d10: 1.05-1.30) and controlling the orientation ratio (I002/I100 ≤ 0.05). These parameter optimizations simultaneously improve high-rate charging/discharging characteristics while reducing irreversible capacity and enhancing cycle performance, achieving a balanced solution that prior art failed to accomplish

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 solution results in a negative electrode with improved high-rate charging/discharging characteristics and cycle performance, reducing initial irreversible capacity and maintaining capacity over multiple cycles, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and stability of nonaqueous secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

graphite particles having a median diameter of 5 μm or more, and 40 μm or less in the volume-basis particle size distribution... the graphite crystal orientation ratio I110/I004 on the electrode is 0.08 or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon insertion/extraction: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8404383B2Negative electrode material for nonaqueous secondary cells, negative electrode for nonaqueous secondary cells, and nonaqueous secondary cell
Publication Date: 2013.03.26 TOKAI CARBON CO LTD

AI summary

A negative electrode material for a nonaqueous secondary battery capable of realizing a nonaqueous secondary battery having a small charging/discharging irreversible capacity at an initial cycle and exhibiting an excellent high-rate charging/discharging characteristics and an excellent cycle performances is provided. The main component of the material is graphite particles. The median diameter is 5 μm or more, and 40 μm or less in the volume-basis particle size distribution based on the laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution measurement. The tapping density is 0.7 g/cm3 or more. The specific surface area measured by a BET method is 0.2 m2/g or more, and 8 m2/g or less. The average circularity is 0.83 or more, and 1.00 or less. When an electrode is produced by a predetermined method for manufacturing an electrode and, the resulting electrode is subjected to X-ray diffraction, the graphite crystal orientation ratio I110/I004 on the electrode is 0.08 or more, where I110 represents the wide angle X-ray diffraction peak area of the (110) peak peak in the region of 2θ=76.5 to 78.5 degrees of the graphite particles on the electrode and I004 represents the wide angle X-ray diffraction peak area of the (004) peak peak in the region of 2θ=53.5 to 56 degrees.