LFP Cathode Composite with MXene for Low-Temperature Discharge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium iron phosphate batteries exhibit poor low-temperature performance, with discharge capacity at -20°C being only about 30% of that at normal temperature, limiting their application in cold regions and as traction batteries.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode composite material comprising lithium iron phosphate combined with materials such as ABb (e.g., FeS2, TiS2) and two-dimensional metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride MXene (e.g., Ti3C2Tx) to enhance ionic and electronic conductivity, improving lithium ion diffusion and intercalation reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lithium iron phosphate material is used as positive electrode material, then safety performance and cycling performance are improved, but low-temperature performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety performance and cycling performanceVSAvoidlow-temperature discharge capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining lithium iron phosphate particles with conductive carbon materials and binder materials to form a composite positive electrode material. This composite structure maintains the safety and cycling performance of lithium iron phosphate while improving low-temperature ionic and electronic conductivity through the conductive carbon network and optimized particle interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters including particle size distribution, surface area to volume ratio, and compositional parameters such as the ratio of conductive carbon to active material. These parameter optimizations improve low-temperature performance by reducing diffusion path lengths and enhancing electrical conductivity without compromising the inherent safety benefits of lithium iron phosphate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If doping is performed to improve ionic and electronic conductivity, then low-temperature performance is improved, but material composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionic and electronic conductivityVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by performing doping at specific sites (lithium sites, iron sites, or phosphoric acid sites) rather than uniform modification throughout the material. This targeted local modification improves conductivity where needed while maintaining the overall simplicity of the lithium iron phosphate structure and avoiding complex multi-element compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 composite material significantly improves the power performance of lithium iron phosphate batteries at low temperatures, maintaining continuous discharge and enhancing the accelerating ability of vehicles, even under low-temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the inherent characteristics of the lithium iron phosphate material, such as slow lithium ion diffusion at a low temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

to increase the electronic conductivity by adding an additional conductive agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

improving lithium ion diffusion and intercalation reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230268486A1Positive electrode composite material for lithium iron phosphate secondary battery and lithium iron phosphate secondary battery
Publication Date: 2023.08.24 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED

AI summary

A positive electrode composite material includes a first type of material and at least one of a second type of material or a third type of material. The first type of material is a lithium iron phosphate material. The second type of material is ABb, where A is at least one selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Ti, V, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Pt, Sn, Pb, and Sb, B is any one selected from S and Se, and a value of b is in a range of 1-4. The third type of material is a two-dimensional metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride MXene material of formula Mn+1Xn or Mn+1XnTx, where M is a transition metal element, X is C element and/or N element, Tx represents a surface functional group including -O, —OH, -Cl, or -F. The third type of material has a layered structure, and n represents a number of layers and n = 1, 2, or 3.