Lithium Mixed Oxide Electrode Surface Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries face challenges in achieving high energy density and long-term stability due to reactions with electrolytes and solvents, leading to impaired ionic conductivity and cycle stability, and existing surface modification methods using silanes or organometallic compounds are cumbersome to manufacture and handle.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mixed oxide containing lithium and multiple transition metals, treated with oxygen-containing organic compounds of sulfur or phosphorus or their alkali metal salts, to enhance the properties of electrode materials, improving their charging/discharging behavior and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mixed oxide electrode materials are used to improve energy density, then energy density is improved, but reactivity with electrolyte and solvent increases leading to impaired ionic conductivity and reduced long-term stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the mixed oxide electrode material with an organic sulfur or phosphorus compound before battery assembly. This preliminary surface modification creates a protective layer that prevents subsequent harmful reactions between the high-energy-density mixed oxide and the electrolyte/solvent, thereby maintaining both high energy density and long-term stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic sulfur or phosphorus compound acts as an intermediary layer between the mixed oxide electrode material and the electrolyte/solvent. This intermediary prevents direct contact and harmful reactions while allowing ionic conductivity to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between high energy density (mixed oxide) and long-term stability (reduced reactivity).
2Object-generated harmful factors
If surface modification with silanes or organometallic compounds is applied to reduce gas development, then gas development is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex, difficult-to-handle silanes and organometallic compounds with simpler, more manageable organic sulfur or phosphorus compounds. These alternative compounds achieve the same gas development reduction effect but are easier to manufacture and handle, effectively substituting complex materials with simpler alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surface modification compounds from silanes/organometallic compounds to organic sulfur/phosphorus compounds. This parameter change maintains the functional effect of reducing gas development while significantly improving manufacturing ease and handling characteristics.
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 treated electrode materials exhibit improved cycle stability and ease of processing, with enhanced energy density and reduced reactivity with electrolytes, leading to more stable and efficient lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
A method is described for the production of electrode materials, in which a mixed oxide which contains lithium and at least one transition metal as cations is mixed with at least one oxygen-containing organic compound of sulfur or phosphorus
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing electrode materials, characterised in that a mixed oxide, which has lithium and at least one transition metal as cations, is treated with at least one organic, oxygen-containing compound of sulphur or phosphorous, or a corresponding alkali metal or ammonium salt of an organic, oxygen-containing compound of sulphur or phosphorous, or a completely alkylated derivative of an oxygen-containing compound of sulphur or phosphorous.