Lithium Iron Titanium Oxide Anode for High-Rate Li-Ion Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium titanium oxide negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries suffer from low specific capacity, poor conductivity, and poor high-rate charging and discharging performance due to their insulating nature and low electronic and ionic conductivity, along with challenges in particle growth control and tap density during high-temperature synthesis.

Innovation Solution

A modified lithium iron titanium oxide material is synthesized using a citric acid sol-gel method, which involves adding an organic acid to an iron salt solution, dissolving titanium and lithium sources in alcohol, adjusting pH, and performing heat treatment under reducing conditions to achieve a LiFeTiOx composite oxide with improved conductivity and specific capacity through controlled doping and nano-scale particle formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If doping modification is performed on spinel-type lithium titanium oxide to improve conductivity and charging-discharging performance, then the electrical conductivity and large-current charging-discharging capability are improved, but the preparation process becomes more complex and requires additional doping steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidpreparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single preparation process: the sol-gel method simultaneously achieves uniform doping of Fe elements, controlled nano-scale particle formation, and organic acid residue carbonization. This merging of doping, particle size control, and surface modification into one integrated process resolves the contradiction by improving conductivity without proportionally increasing process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes in the sol-gel process (pH adjustment to 5.0-7.0, controlled calcination temperature, reducing atmosphere heat treatment) to optimize the doping effect and particle morphology. By carefully controlling these parameters, the preparation process achieves improved conductivity and performance while maintaining reasonable process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If high-temperature calcination is used to synthesize lithium titanium oxide, then the material crystallinity is improved, but high-temperature runaway may occur and the preparation process becomes more hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial crystallinityVSAvoidhigh-temperature runaway risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sol-gel process performs preliminary formation of a homogeneous precursor gel with uniformly distributed metal ions before calcination. This preliminary action ensures that the subsequent calcination proceeds more uniformly and at lower temperatures, reducing the risk of high-temperature runaway while still achieving good crystallinity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The organic acid (citric acid) acts as an intermediary that controls the decomposition and carbonization process during calcination. It serves as a fuel source that promotes uniform heating and prevents localized overheating, thereby reducing runaway risk while maintaining crystallinity. The carbon residues from organic acid also serve as conductive additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the particle size of lithium titanium oxide is reduced to nano-scale, then the specific capacity and conductivity are improved, but the control of particle growth becomes more difficult during synthesis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific capacityVSAvoidparticle growth control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sol-gel method creates local homogeneous environments where metal ions are uniformly distributed in the gel matrix. This local uniformity ensures consistent nucleation and growth conditions throughout the material, enabling precise control of particle size and morphology while achieving nano-scale dimensions with improved specific capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls particle growth by adjusting key sol-gel parameters: pH value (5.0-7.0) controls gelation and particle formation, calcination temperature controls crystallization, and reducing atmosphere controls surface modification. These parameter changes enable precise particle growth control while achieving the desired nano-scale morphology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified material significantly enhances charging and discharging capacity, improves large-current charging and discharging performance, and maintains stability, addressing the limitations of lithium titanium oxide by increasing electronic conductivity and specific capacity.

Implementation Method 1

the organic acid is a complexing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComplexation:

Implementation Method 2

drying and crushing the wet gel, and then calcinating to obtain a LiFeTiO4 composite oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 3

calcinating to obtain a LiFeTiO4 composite oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid-state reaction:

Implementation Method 4

under the action of a reducing gas, performing a heat treatment on the LiFeTiO4 composite oxide to obtain the modified lithium ion negative electrode material, wherein the chemical formula of the modified lithium ion negative electrode material is LiFeTiOx, where 1<x<2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 5

A spinel modified negative electrode material lithium iron titanium oxide is synthesized by using a citric acid sol-gel method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSol-gel process: Gel

Implementation Method 6

dropwise adding the solution II into the solution I, adjusting the pH to 5.0-7.0, and continuing stirring to obtain a wet gel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 7

since the organic acid is used as a complexing agent, residual conductive carbon will be formed on the oxide surface during calcination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4464668A1Modified lithium ion negative electrode material, and preparation therefor and use thereof
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 JIANGSU ZENIO NEW ENERGY BATTERY TECH CO LTD
  • EP4464668A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4464668A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4464668A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular, to a modified lithium ion negative electrode material, and preparation therefor and use thereof. The preparation method includes the following steps: dropwise adding a mixed solution of a titanium source and a lithium source into a mixed solution of an iron salt and an organic acid, adjusting the pH to 5.0-7.0, and stirring to obtain a wet gel; drying and crushing the wet gel, and then calcinating to obtain a LiFeTiO4 composite oxide; and reducing the LiFeTiO4 composite oxide to obtain the modified lithium ion negative electrode material. In the present disclosure, a spinel modified negative electrode material lithium iron titanium oxide is synthesized by using a citric acid sol-gel method, thereby not only greatly improving the charging and discharging capacity thereof, but also improving the large-current charging and discharging capability thereof.