Lithium Oxide Precursor Coating for Battery Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries, particularly all-solid-state lithium batteries, face issues with insufficient coating coverage of lithium-containing oxide layers on electrode active materials, leading to increased interface resistance and deteriorated battery characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A lithium-containing oxide precursor solution is developed, comprising Li, selected elements such as Nb, F, Fe, P, and water, with specific concentrations and surface energy characteristics, to improve coating coverage and handleability in a normal atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a lithium niobate precursor solution according to the related art is used to form a coating layer on the surface of powder obtained from the electrode active material particles, then the coating layer is formed, but the coverage of the coating layer is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the precursor solution by incorporating specific organic compounds (betaine, phosphocholine, phosphoserine) at controlled concentrations (0.01-5 mass%). These compositional changes modify the solution's surface properties and reactivity, enabling complete coverage of the electrode active material particles while forming high-quality coating layers that improve battery characteristics.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a non-aqueous solvent electrolyte is used as an electrolyte in lithium ion secondary batteries, then high energy density and high voltage operation are achieved, but safety issues arise due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a water-based precursor solution that forms a protective coating layer on the electrode active material. This coating layer acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between the flammable non-aqueous electrolyte and the electrode material, thereby mitigating safety issues while maintaining the energy density benefits of non-aqueous electrolytes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid electrolyte is used as the electrolyte in all-solid-state lithium batteries, then flammability is eliminated, but interface resistance increases due to lack of infiltration mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a lithium-containing oxide coating layer to the surface of electrode active material particles before assembling the battery. This preliminary coating action creates optimal contact interfaces between the solid electrolyte and electrode material, reducing interface resistance and enabling effective ion transport in all-solid-state lithium batteries.
4Ease of operation
If a lithium-containing oxide precursor solution with water as main solvent is used, then ease of handling in normal atmosphere is improved, but coating layer coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses specific organic compounds (betaine, phosphocholine, phosphoserine) as intermediary substances in the water-based precursor solution. These intermediaries mediate between the water solvent and the lithium-containing oxide precursors, ensuring uniform distribution and complete coverage of the coating layer while maintaining the handling advantages of water-based solutions in normal atmosphere.
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 solution enhances coating layer coverage and stability, reducing interface resistance and improving battery performance, while being easy to handle in a normal atmosphere without requiring dry conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a lithium-containing oxide precursor solution for coating an electrode active material, the solution including: Li in an amount of 0.1 mass % or more and 5.0 mass % or less; at least one element M selected from Nb, F, Fe, P, Ta, V, Ge, B, Al, Ti, Si, W, Zr, Mo, S, Cl, Br, and I in an amount of 0.05 mass % or more and 35 mass % or less; and water in an amount of 60 mass % or more and 98.4 mass % or less, wherein a value of absorbance at a wavelength of 660 nm is 0.1 or less, and a value of surface energy is 72 mN/m or less
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lithium-containing oxide precursor solution for coating an electrode active material that is capable of improving the coverage of a coating layer that is formed by applying the lithium-containing oxide precursor solution to the surface of powder of the electrode active material and king it, and that is easy to handle in a normal atmosphere because a solution composed mainly of water is used as a solvent. The lithium-containing oxide precursor solution for coating an electrode active material includes Li in an amount of 0.1 mass % or more and 5.0 mass % or less, at least one element selected from Nb, F, Fe, P, Ta, V, Ge, B, Al, Ti, Si, W, Zr, Mo, S, Cl, Br, and I in an amount of 0.05 mass % or more and 35 mass % or less, and water in an amount of 60 mass % or more and 98.4 mass % or less. The value of absorbance of the solution at a wavelength of 660 nm is 0.1 or less, and the value of surface energy thereof is 72 mN/m or less.