LiCoO2 Cathode Composition for Stable High-Voltage Cycle Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining high discharge capacity and cycle performance while ensuring safety, as they undergo degradation and internal short circuits, particularly due to the instability of the positive electrode active material during charge and discharge cycles.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery with a positive electrode active material composed of lithium cobalt oxide, where the surface region has a higher magnesium concentration and the inner region has a higher nickel concentration, along with the presence of fluorine and aluminum, to stabilize the crystal structure and inhibit oxygen release, thereby reducing degradation and internal short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the positive electrode active material uses conventional lithium cobalt oxide composition, then the discharge capacity can be maintained, but the cycle performance deteriorates and internal short circuits occur due to structural instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle performanceVSAvoidcrystal structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct compositional regions within the lithium cobalt oxide crystal structure. The surface region contains magnesium at 0.5-10 atomic % while the inner region contains nickel at 0.5-10 atomic %, with fluorine and aluminum distributed throughout. This spatial differentiation of compositional properties stabilizes the crystal structure during charge-discharge cycles while maintaining discharge capacity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If the charge voltage is increased to achieve higher capacity, then the energy output improves, but thermal runaway risk increases due to material instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy outputVSAvoidthermal runaway risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by incorporating magnesium, fluorine, aluminum, and nickel into the lithium cobalt oxide structure before operation. These elements create a stabilized crystal structure that prevents oxygen release and suppresses thermal runaway even when charged to high voltages. The compositional modifications act as preventive measures that cushion against thermal instability, allowing high energy output without increasing thermal runaway risk.

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

3Reliability

If the positive electrode material is modified to improve cycle performance, then the degradation is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegradation resistanceVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements (magnesium, fluorine, aluminum, and nickel) into a single integrated lithium cobalt oxide positive electrode material. Rather than applying separate surface coatings or composite structures, all modifications are incorporated into the bulk crystal structure, achieving degradation resistance through a unified material design. This merging approach improves cycle performance while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of multi-layer composite structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 proposed battery design achieves a high degree of safety and reliability by minimizing discharge capacity loss in charge and discharge cycles, maintaining stability even at high charge voltages, and preventing thermal runaway.

Implementation Method 1

The positive electrode active material includes a first region including a surface parallel to the (00l) plane of the crystal and a second region including a surface parallel to a plane intersecting with the (00l) plane. The positive electrode active material contains magnesium. The first region includes a portion with a magnesium concentration that is higher than or equal to 0.5 atomic % and lower than or equal to 10 atomic %. The second region includes a portion with a magnesium concentration that is higher than the magnesium concentration in the first region and is higher than or equal to 4 atomic % and lower than or equal to 30 atomic %.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystal structure stabilization:

Implementation Method 2

Another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery with a high degree of safety. The proposed battery design achieves a high degree of safety and reliability by minimizing discharge capacity loss in charge and discharge cycles, maintaining stability even at high charge voltages, and preventing thermal runaway.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen release inhibition:

Implementation Method 3

A secondary battery with a positive electrode active material composed of lithium cobalt oxide, where the surface region has a higher magnesium concentration and the inner region has a higher nickel concentration, along with the presence of fluorine and aluminum, to stabilize the crystal structure and inhibit oxygen release

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLattice reinforcement:

Implementation Method 4

The positive electrode active material includes a first region including a surface parallel to the (00l) plane of the crystal and a second region including a surface parallel to a plane intersecting with the (00l) plane. The second region includes a portion with a magnesium concentration that is higher than the magnesium concentration in the first region and is higher than or equal to 4 atomic % and lower than or equal to 30 atomic %.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reaction enhancement:

Data Source

PatentUS20240047691A1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.02.08 SEMICON ENERGY LAB CO LTD
  • US20240047691A1 patent drawing
  • US20240047691A1 patent drawing
  • US20240047691A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A secondary battery with little deterioration is provided. A highly reliable secondary battery is provided. A positive electrode active material included in the secondary battery includes a crystal of lithium cobalt oxide. The positive electrode active material includes a first region including a surface parallel to the (00l) plane of the crystal and a second region including a surface parallel to a plane intersecting with the (00l) plane. The positive electrode active material contains magnesium. The first region includes a portion with a magnesium concentration that is higher than or equal to 0.5 atomic % and lower than or equal to 10 atomic %. The second region includes a portion with a magnesium concentration that is higher than the magnesium concentration in the first region and is higher than or equal to 4 atomic % and lower than or equal to 30 atomic %. Furthermore, the second region includes a portion with a fluorine concentration that is higher than a fluorine concentration in the first region and is higher than or equal to 0.5 atomic % and lower than or equal to 10 atomic %.