Lithium-Ion Cathode Material Oxygen and Particle Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium ion battery positive electrode active materials do not fully optimize oxygen content, average particle size, and specific surface area, leading to suboptimal battery performance for high-capacity and long-cycle applications.
Innovation Solution
A positive electrode active material with a compositional formula of Li x Ni 1-y M y O 2+α, where M is selected from Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Al, Bi, Sn, Mg, Ca, B, and Zr, with 0.9 ≤ x ≤ 1.1, 0 < y ≤ 0.7, and 0.05 ≤ α ≤ 0.2, featuring primary particles with an average size of 0.3 to 3.0 µm and a specific surface area of 0.3 to 2.3 m²/g, and a tap density of 1.3 to 2.6 g/cm³, optimized for improved battery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the oxygen content (α) is increased to enhance capacity, then the battery capacity improves, but the structural stability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the oxygen excess parameter α within the range of 0.05 ≤ α ≤ 0.2, and combining it with specific particle size parameters (0.3 to 3.0 µm) and surface area parameters (0.3 to 2.3 m²/g). This multi-parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where sufficient oxygen content enhances capacity while maintaining structural stability through controlled particle morphology and surface characteristics.
2Speed
If the average particle size is reduced to improve rate properties, then the lithium ion diffusion speed increases, but the tap density and volumetric capacity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by establishing an optimal particle size range of 0.3 to 3.0 µm and corresponding surface area range of 0.3 to 2.3 m²/g. This parameter optimization ensures that particles are small enough to facilitate rapid lithium ion diffusion (improving rate properties) while maintaining sufficient tap density (1.3 to 2.6 g/cm³) to achieve high volumetric capacity, thereby balancing speed and quantity requirements.
3Productivity
If the specific surface area is increased to enhance reaction activity, then the battery performance improves, but the side reactions with electrolyte increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the specific surface area within the range of 0.3 to 2.3 m²/g, which is neither too small (limiting reaction activity) nor too large (exacerbating side reactions). This controlled surface area parameter, combined with the optimized particle size and oxygen content, achieves high battery performance while minimizing energy loss from unwanted side reactions with the electrolyte.
4Quantity of substance
If the nickel content (y) is increased to achieve high capacity, then the battery capacity improves, but the structural stability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by precisely controlling the nickel content parameter y within the range of 0 < y ≤ 0.7, and combining it with controlled oxygen excess (0.05 ≤ α ≤ 0.2) and particle size parameters. This multi-parameter optimization strategy allows the material to achieve high capacity from nickel while the controlled oxygen content and particle characteristics maintain structural stability and safety, preventing catastrophic failures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a positive electrode active material for a lithium ion battery having good battery performance can be provided. The positive electrode active material for a lithium ion battery is represented by; Compositional formula: LixNi1-yMyO2+α wherein M is one or more selected from Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Al, Bi, Sn, Mg, Ca, B, and Zr, 0.9 ≤ x ≤ 1.1, 0 < y ≤ 0.7, and 0.05 ≤ α ≤ 0.2, and contains primary particles and has a tap density of 1.3 to 2.6 g/cm3. The average particle size of the primary particles is 0.3 to 3.0 µm and the specific surface area is 0.3 to 2.3 m2/g.