Graphite-Titanium Oxide Composite Coating for Battery Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon-based active materials in secondary batteries face challenges with high initial irreversible capacity and low thermal stability, necessitating enhancements for improved performance in energy storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the even coating of titanium oxide on graphite using a sol-gel method and thermal treatment to enhance thermal/structural stability and electrochemical performance, involving surface modification with benzyl alcohol or cellulose-based materials, and subsequent hydrothermal synthesis with lithium precursors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon-based active materials are used in secondary batteries, then reasonable costs and good lifespan characteristics are achieved, but high initial irreversible capacity and low thermal stability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by coating titanium oxide on the surface of graphite particles. This composite structure combines the good lifespan characteristics of carbon-based materials with the high thermal stability of titanium oxide, resolving the contradiction between lifespan and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies titanium oxide coating specifically on the surface of graphite particles rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized coating provides thermal stability where needed (at the surface) while maintaining the electrochemical properties of the bulk graphite material.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If metal oxide coating is applied on graphite surface to enhance thermal stability, then thermal/structural stability is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sol-gel method where titanium precursor is pre-coated on the graphite surface before thermal treatment. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by combining coating and thermal treatment into a single integrated step, avoiding the need for separate coating and sintering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sol-gel chemistry to transform titanium precursor into titanium oxide through controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions, followed by thermal treatment. This parameter-based approach (controlling pH, temperature, and time) simplifies the coating process compared to traditional physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition methods.
3Reliability
If titanium oxide is coated on graphite to enhance electrochemical performance, then charging-discharging properties are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sol-gel intermediary system where titanium precursor forms a colloidal suspension that uniformly coats graphite particles. This intermediary approach ensures even distribution of titanium oxide on graphite surfaces, achieving consistent electrochemical performance without requiring extremely precise manufacturing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the sol-gel process parameters (pH, temperature, precursor concentration) to achieve uniform coating. By optimizing these parameters, the method produces consistent titanium oxide coatings on graphite particles with good electrochemical performance, reducing the need for post-processing quality control.
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 method stabilizes the solid electrolyte interphase film, reduces polar solvent molecule insertion, and enhances charging/discharging characteristics and lifespan, achieving improved rate performance and commercial viability.
Implementation Method 1
surface-modifying graphite with benzyl alcohol or a cellulose-based material using a sol-gel method
Implementation Method 2
adding a titanium precursor to the solvent, and mixing the titanium precursor with the surface-modified graphite
Implementation Method 3
thermally treating the graphite-titanium mixture to grow a titanium oxide on a surface of the graphite
Implementation Method 4
thermally treating the graphite-titanium mixture to grow a titanium oxide on a surface of the graphite
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a graphite-titanium oxide composite comprises (S1) a surface-modifying graphite with benzyl alcohol or a cellulose-based material using a sol-gel method, (S2) distributing the surface-modified graphite in a solvent, adding a titanium precursor to the solvent, and mixing the titanium precursor with the surface-modified graphite to obtain a graphite-titanium mixture, and (S3) thermally treating the graphite-titanium mixture to grow a titanium oxide on a surface of the graphite.