Lithium Battery Positive Electrode Particle Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable lithium batteries face a decrease in cycle-life as capacity increases, and nickel-based lithium metal oxides suffer from side-reactions with electrolytes, deteriorating charge/discharge efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode for lithium batteries comprising small particle diameter monolith particles (1-8 µm) and large particle diameter secondary particles (10-20 µm) with a specific X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratio (I(003)/I(104)) greater than or equal to 3, made from nickel-based lithium metal oxides, is used, along with a method of preparing the electrode by mixing with a conductive agent and binder, and compressing to a density of at least 3.4 g/cc.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If capacity of the rechargeable lithium battery is increased, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the cycle-life of the battery decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidcycle-life
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The positive electrode material is divided into two distinct particle size ranges: small particles (1-8 μm) that provide high capacity and large particles (10-20 μm) that enhance structural stability. This segmentation allows the battery to achieve both high capacity and long cycle-life by combining the advantages of different particle sizes in a composite structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If nickel-based lithium metal oxide is used as positive active material, then the capacity characteristics are improved, but the charge/discharge efficiency and cycle-life are deteriorated due to side-reactions with electrolyte

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity characteristicsVSAvoidcharge/discharge efficiency and cycle-life
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the particle size parameters of the nickel-based lithium metal oxide, specifically controlling the diameter to be within 1-20 μm with a specific size distribution. This parameter change reduces the total surface area exposed to the electrolyte, thereby minimizing side-reactions while preserving the high capacity characteristics of nickel-based materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the positive electrode mixture density is increased, then the energy density is improved, but the manufacturing precision and particle distribution control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidparticle distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a specific particle size distribution within the electrode mixture, where small particles (1-8 μm) and large particles (10-20 μm) are strategically distributed. This local differentiation in particle size allows the electrode to achieve high density in certain regions while maintaining良好的 electrolyte penetration and lithium ion transport in other regions, thus resolving the conflict between energy density and manufacturing precision.

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 solution enhances cycle-life characteristics, efficiency, and high-temperature stability while maintaining high capacity, reducing gas generation and ensuring safety.

Implementation Method 1

compressing the positive electrode to have a density of greater than or equal to about 3.4 g/cc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4711339A2Positive electrode for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4711339A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711339A2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4711339A2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a positive electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive active material including a small particle diameter monolith particles having a particle diameter of about 1 µm to about 8 µm as a nickel-based lithium metal oxide, and a large particle diameter secondary particles having a particle diameter of about 10 µm to about 20 µm as a nickel-based lithium metal oxide, wherein an X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratio (I(003)/I(104)) of the positive electrodeis greater than or equal to about 3, a method of preparing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the positive electrode.