Lithiophilic Carbon Anode Material for Low-Temperature Solid-State Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional all-solid-state batteries with graphite-based anode active materials face challenges in lithium ion conductivity and storability, leading to low power output at room or low temperatures and premature lithium precipitation.

Innovation Solution

The development of an anode active material for all-solid-state batteries, comprising flake carbon fragments with a lithiophilic material deposited in the spaces between and on the surface of the fragments, enhancing lithium ion conductivity and preventing side reactions with the solid electrolyte.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If graphite-based anode active material is used in all-solid-state battery, then the battery structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but lithium ion conductivity is poor and power output is low at room or low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpower output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of flake carbon fragments overlapped in multiple layers with lithiophilic material deposited in the spaces between and on the surface. This composite material combines the structural benefits of carbon with the lithium ion conductivity enhancement from the lithiophilic material, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies lithiophilic material specifically in the spaces between flake carbon fragments and on their surfaces, creating local regions with enhanced lithium ion conductivity. This local quality enhancement improves power output without requiring complete material replacement, maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If graphite-based anode active material is used in all-solid-state battery, then the structure is simple, but storability is poor and lithium precipitation occurs prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidstorability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lithiophilic material acts as an intermediary between the flake carbon fragments and the solid electrolyte. It mediates the interaction by providing favorable sites for lithium ion insertion and preventing direct contact between graphite and solid electrolyte, thereby preventing lithium precipitation and improving storability while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the porous structure created by overlapping flake carbon fragments with spaces between them. This porous structure allows the lithiophilic material to be deposited in the spaces, creating a hierarchical structure that improves lithium ion transport pathways and prevents lithium precipitation, enhancing reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Power

If lithiophilic material is deposited in spaces between flake carbon fragments, then lithium ion conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium ion conductivityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the anode active material into discrete flake carbon fragments overlapped in multiple layers, creating defined spaces between them. This segmentation allows for targeted deposition of lithiophilic material in the spaces, improving lithium ion conductivity in a controlled manner while managing structural complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Power

If lithiophilic material is applied onto surface of particles, then lithium ion conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium ion conductivityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lithiophilic material is deposited onto the flake carbon fragments before assembly into the final electrode structure. This preliminary action allows for uniform surface coverage and simplifies subsequent manufacturing steps, as the lithium ion conductivity enhancement is already in place before electrode fabrication, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution significantly improves lithium ion conductivity within the anode active material, maintaining high power output even at low temperatures and preventing lithium precipitation, thereby extending the battery's lifespan and enhancing its energy density.

Implementation Method 1

a first material loaded in a space between the plurality of the flake carbon fragments and having lithiophilic property, and a second material applied onto at least a portion of a surface of the particle and having lithiophilic property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLithiophilic property: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12218355B2Anode active material for all-solid-state battery

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an anode active material for an all-solid-state battery in which a lithophilic material is deposited inside and on particles.