Lithium Composite Oxide Cathode Voltage Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion secondary batteries using lithium-rich cathode active materials face insufficient discharge capacity and voltage deterioration during charge and discharge cycles, which limits their energy density and performance.

Innovation Solution

A lithium-containing composite oxide with a specific formula (LiaiNibCocMndMeO2) is developed, where the valence of Ni is between 2.15 and 2.45, and the composition is optimized to enhance discharge capacity and suppress voltage deterioration, along with a coating of Zr, Ti, or Al on the cathode active material to improve performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If lithium-rich cathode active material is used to increase discharge capacity, then the discharge capacity of lithium ion secondary battery is improved, but the discharge voltage deteriorates during charge and discharge cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge capacityVSAvoiddischarge voltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite oxide material with specific crystal structures (R-3m and C2/m space groups) containing Li, Mn, Co, Ni, and other elements in controlled ratios. This composite structure enables the material to achieve high discharge capacity while maintaining voltage stability through the synergistic effects of multiple elements and crystal phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies element-specific doping strategies where different elements (Na, Mg, Ti, Zr, Al, W, Mo) are introduced at specific sites in the crystal structure to achieve local optimization. The X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratios are controlled to ensure specific local structural characteristics that balance capacity and voltage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If lithium-rich cathode active material is used to increase discharge capacity, then the energy density of lithium ion secondary battery is improved, but the deterioration of discharge voltage due to repetition of charge and discharge cycle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoiddischarge voltage retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls compositional parameters including the ratio of X-ray diffraction peak intensities (0.02 to 0.5), element contents (Mn content at least 0.55 in molar ratio, boron 0.001 to 3 wt%, or elements A at 0.03 to 5 wt%), and crystal structure characteristics. These parameter optimizations enable high energy density while suppressing voltage deterioration during cycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional lithium cathode active material (LiCoO2) is used, then the battery structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the discharge capacity per unit mass is insufficient for downsizing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddischarge capacity per unit mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the conventional LiCoO2 composition by introducing additional elements (Mn, Ni, Co in specific ratios, plus Na, Mg, Ti, Zr, Al, W, or Mo) and controlling the Li to transition metal ratio (a/(b+c+d+e) between 1.1 and 1.4). This compositional parameter change increases discharge capacity per unit mass while maintaining a manufacturing process similar to conventional materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite oxide structure that combines multiple transition metal elements with lithium in a layered crystal structure. This composite approach maintains the structural simplicity and manufacturability of conventional lithium cobalt oxide while achieving superior discharge capacity through the synergistic effects of multiple elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10964944B2Lithium-containing composite oxide, cathode active material, positive electrode for lithium ion secondary battery, and lithium ion secondary battery
Publication Date: 2021.03.30 SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD

AI summary

To provide a lithium-containing composite oxide capable of obtaining a lithium ion secondary battery having a large discharge capacity wherein the deterioration of the discharge voltage due to repetition of a charge and discharge cycle is suppressed, a cathode active material, a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery. A lithium-containing composite oxide, which is represented by the formula I:LiaiNibCOcMndMeO2  Formula I,wherein M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Na, Mg, Ti, Zr, Al, W and Mo, a+b+c+d+e=2, 1.1≤a/(b+c+d+e)≤1.4, 0.2≤b/(b+c+d+e)≤0.5, 0≤c/(b+c+d+e)≤0.25, 0.3≤d/(b+c+d+e)≤0.6, and 0≤e/(b+c+d+e)≤0.1, and wherein the valence of Ni is from 2.15 to 2.45.