Lithium Oxide Cathode Electrolyte for Low-Overpotential Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion batteries using lithium oxide and lithium peroxide as positive electrode materials suffer from poor electron conductivity and high overpotential, leading to unstable operation and poor cycle characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A battery design incorporating a lithium oxide with a dissolved transition metal forming a solid solution, combined with an electrolyte solution containing organophosphorus or organophosphite compounds, enhances electron and ion conductivity, reducing charging voltage and improving cycle characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium oxide and lithium peroxide are used as positive electrode materials, then high theoretical capacity (897 mAh per gram) is achieved, but electron conductivity is poor and overpotential is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dissolves transition metals (such as cobalt, nickel, or copper) into the lithium oxide crystal structure to form solid solutions, changing the electrical parameters of the material. This doping approach increases electron conductivity while maintaining the high theoretical capacity of lithium oxide-lithium peroxide redox reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining lithium oxide with transition metal compounds to form solid solutions. These composite structures leverage the high capacity of lithium oxide while incorporating the superior electrical conductivity of transition metals, resolving the contradiction between capacity and conductivity.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium oxide and lithium peroxide are used as positive electrode materials, then high theoretical capacity is achieved, but cycle characteristics are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical and structural parameters of lithium oxide by incorporating transition metals, which stabilize the crystal structure during charge-discharge cycles. This structural stabilization prevents degradation and improves cycle life while preserving high capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition metal compounds act as intermediaries that facilitate stable redox reactions between lithium oxide and lithium peroxide. These intermediaries promote reversible reaction pathways, enhancing the durability and cycle characteristics of the battery.
3Reliability
If transition metal is dissolved into lithium oxide to form solid solution, then electron conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of transition metals in the solid solution to achieve effective conductivity improvement at manageable doping levels. By controlling the amount of transition metal added, the manufacturing process remains relatively simple while still achieving the desired conductivity enhancement.
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 battery achieves improved cycle characteristics and enhanced discharge capacity, with a theoretical capacity of 897 mAh per gram of lithium oxide, by utilizing a redox reaction between lithium oxide and lithium peroxide.
Implementation Method 1
A redox reaction between lithium oxide (Li2O) and lithium peroxide (Li2O2) can be applied to a secondary battery
Implementation Method 2
a charging overpotential can be decreased by dissolving a transition metal into a crystal structure of lithium oxide to form a solid solution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(g)
Figure 3
AI summary
A battery 100 of the present disclosure includes a positive electrode 23, a negative electrode 26, a separator 27, and an electrolyte solution 29. The positive electrode 23 includes, as a positive electrode active material, a lithium oxide in which a transition metal is dissolved to form a solid solution, the lithium oxide having an antifluorite crystal structure. The electrolyte solution 29 includes at least one additive selected from the group consisting of an organophosphorus compound and an organophosphite compound. The electrolyte solution 29 may further include a non-aqueous solvent, and the additive may be dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent.