LFMP Electrode Material Oil Absorption Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium iron manganese phosphate (LFMP) active materials in lithium ion batteries face challenges with cycle characteristics and high-rate input characteristics due to inadequate electrolyte solution retention properties, leading to limited Li ion migration and increased electrolyte decomposition at high voltages.

Innovation Solution

The electrode material for lithium ion batteries is optimized by setting specific ranges for diethyl carbonate oil absorption and the ratio of diethyl carbonate to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, combined with a pyrolytic carbonaceous film coating, to enhance Li ion migration and reduce electrolyte decomposition, while maintaining suitable particle size and shape for improved conductivity and packing density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the electrolytic solution retention property around the active material is too strong, then the active material retains more electrolytic solutions, but the electrolytic solutions become deficient for the separator or anode, Li ion migration becomes slow, and battery reactions are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolytic solution retention amountVSAvoidbattery reaction rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the oil absorption amount of the electrode material (50-80 cc/100g) and the DEC/NMP ratio (1.3-1.8) to control electrolytic solution retention. This quantitative parameter optimization ensures balanced electrolyte distribution, preventing both excessive retention that would deprive other components and insufficient retention that would limit Li ion migration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating different surface properties through pyrolytic carbonaceous film coating on the active material particles. This coating provides localized electrolyte retention at the particle surface while maintaining overall electrolyte availability in the battery, achieving spatially differentiated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the electrolytic solution retention property around the active material is too strong, then the active material retains more electrolytic solutions, but electrolytic solution decomposition amount significantly increases at high voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolytic solution retention amountVSAvoidelectrolytic solution decomposition amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by optimizing the oil absorption amount (50-80 cc/100g) and DEC/NMP ratio (1.3-1.8) to achieve moderate electrolyte retention that prevents excessive decomposition at high voltage (4.1V or higher), balancing retention needs with decomposition suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pyrolytic carbonaceous film acts as an intermediary layer between the active material and electrolytic solution. This coating mediates the interaction by providing controlled retention while protecting the active material from direct contact that would cause decomposition, reducing both capacity loss and resistance increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of moving object

If the particle size is miniaturized to increase the Li reaction area, then the battery reaction voltage increases, but the structural distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLi reaction areaVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by coating the miniaturized active material particles with a pyrolytic carbonaceous film. This thin film coating provides mechanical support to maintain structural stability of small particles while preserving their high surface area for Li ion reactions, preventing structural distortion during charge-discharge cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining miniaturized active material particles with carbon coating and optimizing the electrolyte composition (DEC/NMP mixture). This composite structure maintains both the high reaction area of small particles and the structural stability provided by the carbon matrix and optimized electrolyte environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach results in lithium ion batteries with enhanced cycle characteristics and input characteristics, improved Li ion migration, and reduced electrolyte decomposition, leading to higher capacity and efficiency in lithium ion batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a pyrolytic carbonaceous film coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

suppress the electrolytic solution decomposition amount around LFMP active materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface passivation:

Implementation Method 3

the oil absorption amount for which diethyl carbonate is used (DEC oil absorption amount) and the ratio (DEC/NMP) of the DEC oil absorption amount to an oil absorption amount for which N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone is used (NMP oil absorption amount)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3462523B1Electrode material for lithium ion battery and lithium ion battery
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electrode material for a lithium ion battery including an active material represented by LiMPO4 (Mis at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Al, Ga, Mg, and Ca), in which an oil absorption amount for which diethyl carbonate is used (DEC oil absorption amount) is 50 cc/100 g or more and 80 cc/100 g or less, and a ratio (DEC/NMP) of the DEC oil absorption amount to an oil absorption amount for which N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone is used (NMP oil absorption amount) is 1.3 or more and 1.8 or less.