Hollow Carbonaceous Structure for Stable High-Rate Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, face challenges in achieving high energy and power densities simultaneously due to kinetic imbalances and poor capacity retention caused by volume changes in electrode materials like Sn metal during alloying reactions, leading to short cycle life and poor rate capability.

Innovation Solution

A carbonaceous structure with hollow internal compartments and open porous channels is developed, allowing for the encapsulation of nanoparticles and accommodating volume changes, which enhances ion accessibility and active sites, thereby improving charge/discharge capacity and cycle life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If Sn metal is used as electrode material for high energy density, then energy density is improved, but volume change during alloying reactions causes poor capacity retention and short cycle life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcapacity retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Sn metal nanoparticles are encapsulated inside hollow internal compartments of the carbonaceous structure, creating a nested configuration where the active material is protected within a stable host structure that accommodates volume changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrode materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but kinetic imbalances limit power density and charge/discharge rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpower density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The carbonaceous structure incorporates open porous channels that facilitate rapid ion transport throughout the electrode, enabling high power density while maintaining a manufacturable structure through conventional carbonization processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Quantity of substance

If electrode material with high capacity is used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but volume changes cause structural strain and agglomeration leading to poor cycle life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow internal compartments are designed with sufficient volume capacity beforehand to accommodate the expansion and contraction of encapsulated nanoparticles during charge/discharge cycles, preventing structural strain and maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 carbonaceous structure achieves high energy density, power density, and long cycle life by suppressing agglomeration and strain, enabling rapid charging and stable performance in energy storage devices.

Implementation Method 1

one or more hollow internal compartments, each of which is connected to outside and to the one or more hollow internal compartments adjacent thereto through one or more open porous channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3471122B1Carbonaceous structure, method for manufacturing same, electrode material comprising carbonaceous structure, catalyst comprising carbonaceous structure, and energy storing device comprising electrode material
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH
  • EP3471122B1 patent drawingFigure 1ai~1e
  • EP3471122B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3471122B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3f

AI summary

The present invention relates to a carbonaceous structure, a method for manufacturing the same, an electrode material comprising the carbonaceous structure, a catalyst comprising the carbonaceous structure, and an energy storing device comprising the electrode material.