High-Nickel Cathode Composition for Stable Battery Discharge Cycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries experience structure degradation of the positive electrode active material at the terminal stage of discharge, leading to deteriorated charge-discharge cycle characteristics due to irreversible capacity and positive electrode regulation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a positive electrode active material with 50 mol% or more nickel and a lithium/nickel complex oxide having a compressive fracture strength of 130 MPa or more, combined with a positive electrode additive containing a lithium-containing metal oxide with an antifluorite structure, to control discharge cutoff and stabilize the particle structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a positive electrode active material with high nickel content (50 mol% or more) is used to increase capacity and energy density, then the battery energy density is improved, but the positive electrode undergoes structure degradation at the terminal stage of discharge due to positive electrode regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcharge-discharge cycle characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of compressive fracture strength to 130 MPa or more for the lithium/nickel complex oxide, which prevents particle structure degradation at the terminal stage of discharge while maintaining high nickel content for high energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite positive electrode active material layer containing both lithium/nickel complex oxide and lithium-containing metal oxide with antifluorite structure, where the lithium-containing metal oxide suppresses positive electrode regulation and the lithium/nickel complex oxide provides high capacity with enhanced fracture strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the positive electrode potential decreases rapidly at the terminal stage of discharge to reach discharge cutoff voltage, then the discharge capacity is improved, but the positive electrode active material undergoes structure degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge capacityVSAvoidpositive electrode active material structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lithium-containing metal oxide with antifluorite structure is incorporated in advance to suppress positive electrode regulation, preventing the harmful rapid potential decrease and subsequent structure degradation before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The compressive fracture strength parameter is increased to 130 MPa or more, which fundamentally changes the mechanical property of the lithium/nickel complex oxide to resist structure degradation during potential changes at discharge terminal stage

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 combination enhances battery durability by suppressing structure degradation and improving charge-discharge cycle characteristics, while maintaining high capacity and energy density.

Implementation Method 1

contains a lithium/nickel complex oxide having a compressive fracture strength of 130 MPa or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressive fracture strength:

Implementation Method 2

the positive electrode additive contains a lithium-containing metal oxide having an antifluorite structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntifluorite structure:

Data Source

PatentUS12573637B2Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode has: a positive electrode current collector; and a positive electrode active material layer that is provided to the surface of the positive electrode current collector and includes a positive electrode active material and a positive electrode additive. The positive electrode active material contains a lithium-nickel composite oxide having a compressive breaking strength of at least 130 MPa and including at least 50 mol % of nickel relative to the total quantity of metals other than lithium. The positive electrode additive contains a lithium-containing metal oxide that has an antifluorite structure.