Lithium Oxide Positive Electrode Material for Battery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques face challenges with poor electron conductivity and high charging overpotential in lithium oxide and lithium peroxide, leading to inadequate charging voltage and discharge capacity in secondary batteries.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode active material is developed, comprising lithium oxide with a dissolved transition metal M1 forming a solid solution and a transition metal oxide M2, with specific integrated intensity ratios of diffraction peaks in X-ray diffraction patterns, enhancing electron and ion conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lithium oxide and lithium peroxide are used as positive electrode active materials, then the battery can achieve secondary charge-discharge functionality, but the poor electron conductivity and large overpotential result in inadequate charging voltage and discharge capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecondary charge-discharge functionalityVSAvoidcharging overpotential
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of lithium oxide by dissolving transition metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) to form solid solutions with specific concentration ranges (0.01-0.50 mol ratio). This compositional parameter change improves electron conductivity and reduces charging overpotential while maintaining the antifluorite crystal structure necessary for secondary charge-discharge functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by forming solid solutions of transition metals in lithium oxide, combining the beneficial properties of both components: the antifluorite structure of Li2O providing reversible lithium insertion/extraction and the transition metal providing enhanced electron conductivity and catalytic activity for redox reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If transition metal is dissolved into lithium oxide crystal structure to form solid solution, then charging overpotential can be decreased, but the crystal structure and composition must be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging overpotentialVSAvoidcrystal structure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for transition metal concentration (0.01-0.50 mol ratio) and defines specific XRD diffraction peak intensity ratios (I2/I1 ≥ 0.48 and I3/I1 between 0.10-1.30) to ensure the solid solution forms with the correct crystal structure. These parameter specifications enable precise control of the crystal structure while achieving reduced charging overpotential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratios as a non-destructive analytical method to characterize and control the crystal structure, replacing complex mechanical or visual inspection methods. The diffraction pattern provides direct information about the solid solution formation and crystal structure without requiring additional processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This material reduces charging voltage and increases discharge capacity, improving battery performance by optimizing the crystal structure and composition of the active material.

Implementation Method 1

a redox reaction between lithium oxide (Li 2 O) and lithium peroxide (Li 2 O 2 ) can be applied to a secondary battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reaction: Redox Reactions

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid solution formation: Dopants

Implementation Method 3

In an X-ray diffraction pattern measured for the positive electrode active material using a Cu-Kα ray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4661106A1Positive electrode active material and battery
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4661106A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4661106A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4661106A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A positive electrode active material of the present disclosure includes: a lithium oxide in which a transition metal M1 is dissolved to form a solid solution, the lithium oxide having an antifluorite crystal structure; and a transition metal oxide including a transition metal M2, wherein in an X-ray diffraction pattern measured for the positive electrode active material using a Cu-Kα ray, a ratio of an integrated intensity of a second diffraction peak derived from a (220) plane of the lithium oxide in a diffraction angle 2θ range from 52° to 62° to an integrated intensity of a first diffraction peak derived from a (111) plane of the lithium oxide in a diffraction angle 2θ range from 30° to 40° is 0.48 or more, and a ratio of an integrated intensity of a third diffraction peak derived from a crystal plane of the transition metal oxide in a diffraction angle 20 range from 40° to 50° to the integrated intensity of the first diffraction peak is 0.10 or more and 1.30 or less.