Lithium Titanate Electrode Material via Solution Mixing and Spray Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium titanate composite electrode materials have poor tap density, fluidity, and machinability due to irregularly shaped particles formed by solid phase mixing methods, which affect their conductivity and discharge rate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a sol by mixing a lithium source solution and titanium source particles, followed by spray drying to create uniform precursor particles, and subsequent heating to produce spherical lithium titanate particles with a carbon coating, enhancing tap density and machinability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid phase mixing method is used to form precursor, then manufacturing process is simple, but particle shape becomes irregular and tap density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the mixing system from solid-phase to liquid-phase. By dissolving lithium salt in solvent to form a lithium source solution, the mixing process transforms from mechanical solid-phase mixing to chemical solution-phase reaction, enabling uniform spherical particles while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ball-milling process with a chemical precipitation process. Instead of using mechanical force to mix and form particles, the invention uses chemical reactions in solution followed by spray drying, substituting mechanical action with chemical and physical transformation processes that naturally produce uniform spherical particles
2Ease of manufacture
If solid phase mixing method is used to form precursor, then manufacturing process is simple, but fluidity and machinability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle morphology parameter from irregular shapes to uniform spherical shapes through solution-phase mixing and spray drying. This parameter change directly improves fluidity and machinability while keeping the manufacturing process simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical ball-milling with chemical precipitation and spray drying processes. This substitution eliminates the irregular particle formation caused by mechanical impact and friction, producing uniform spherical particles with excellent fluidity and machinability
3Device complexity
If lithium titanate particles are made by heating solid phase mixture, then process is straightforward, but particle diameter varies irregularly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction medium parameter from solid-phase to liquid-phase, and changes the particle formation mechanism from mechanical mixing to controlled chemical precipitation. The spray drying process then uniformly distributes the precipitated particles, achieving consistent particle diameter while maintaining straightforward process conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing and heating process with a chemical precipitation process followed by spray drying. This substitution ensures uniform particle formation during precipitation and consistent size distribution during spray drying, eliminating the particle diameter variation caused by mechanical mixing
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 method results in lithium titanate composite electrode materials with high tap density, excellent fluidity, and improved charge-discharge capacity, maintaining cycling performance across various rates.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a lithium source solution and titanium source particles to form a sol
Implementation Method 2
spray drying the sol mixture to form a plurality of precursor particles
Implementation Method 3
heating the precursor particles to form a lithium titanate composite electrode material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for making an electrode material of lithium-ion batteries. In the method, a lithium source solution and a plurality of titanium source particles are provided. The lithium source solution and the titanium source particles are mixed, wherein a molar ratio of lithium element to titanium element is in a range from about 4:5 to about 9:10, thereby forming a sol. A carbon source compound is dispersed into the sol to form a sol mixture. The sol mixture is spray dried to form a plurality of precursor particles. The precursor particles are heated to form a lithium titanate composite electrode material.