Li-Mn-Ni Cathode Composition Balancing Capacity and Material Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional positive electrode active materials for secondary batteries face challenges in enhancing energy density while maintaining capacity and active material density, leading to a trade-off relationship.

Innovation Solution

A lithium-transition metal composite oxide with a specific composition and structure, represented by the formula Li x Mn y Ni z Me 2-x-y-z O a F b, is used, featuring a BET specific surface area of 1-4 m^2/g and average pore size of 100 nm or less, which enhances energy density by optimizing the proportion of Li, Mn, Ni, and other elements like Co, Al, Ti, Ge, Nb, Sr, Mg, Si, P, and Sb, and incorporating fluorine to stabilize the crystal structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If Li-excess positive electrode active material is used to increase capacity, then battery capacity increases, but active material density decreases leading to reduced energy density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidactive material density
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the lithium-transition metal composite oxide by precisely controlling the ratios of Li, Mn, Ni, and other elements according to specific formulas, and adjusts processing parameters such as sintering temperature and atmosphere to achieve both high capacity and high density simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite lithium-transition metal composite oxide materials combining multiple transition metals (Mn, Ni, Co, Al, Ti, Ge, Nb, Sr, Mg, Si, P, Sb) with lithium to create a material that achieves both high capacity and high density through synergistic effects of different elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If particle aggregation is controlled to improve low-temperature output, then output at low temperature improves, but energy density enhancement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput at low temperatureVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates local quality variations by forming core-shell structures or surface-modified regions with different compositions and properties from the bulk material, allowing the surface to provide good low-temperature performance while the bulk maintains high density and capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the positive electrode active material into particles with controlled size distributions and aggregation states, creating a hierarchical structure that improves both low-temperature output characteristics and overall energy density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4113661B1Positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4113661B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

This positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries contains a lithium transition metal composite oxide. This lithium transition metal composite oxide is represented by general formula LixMnyNizMe2-x-y-zOaFb (wherein 1 ≤ x ≤ 1.2; 0.4 ≤ y ≤ 0.7; 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 0.4; 0 < b ≤ 0.2; 1.9 ≤ a + b ≤ 2.1; and Me represents at least one element selected from among Co, Al, Ti, Ge, Nb, Sr, Mg, Si, P and Sb), while having a BET specific surface area of from 1 m2/g to 4 m2/g and an average pore diameter of 100 nm or less.