Linear Hierarchical Lithium Titanate Material for Battery Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing lithium titanate materials, such as solid state synthesis and hydrothermal reaction, face challenges including low purity, poor morphology, harsh reaction conditions, and difficulties in large-scale production, which hinder the development of lithium titanate with a linear hierarchical structure suitable for improved lithium-ion battery performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a linear hierarchical structure lithium titanate material through a process that includes forming a linear structure lithium peroxotitanate, subjecting it to a hydrothermal or solvothermal reaction, and subsequent annealing to produce a spinel-type or monoclinic crystal phase material with nanosheet surface components, facilitating electron migration and intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If solid state synthesis method is used to produce lithium titanate, then the material can be obtained through high temperature sintering, but the obtained lithium titanate has low purity, poor morphology and uniformity, and micron scale size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the preparation parameters from high temperature sintering (above 800°C) to low temperature hydrothermal conditions (90-150°C), and controls the molar ratio of Li to Ti within 1:1.01-1:1.05 to avoid excess reagents, thereby achieving high purity and uniform morphology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary organic additive (such as ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, citric acid, or ethylene glycol) that mediates the reaction between lithium hydroxide and titanium oxide, enabling complete reaction without excess reagents and forming the desired linear hierarchical structure
2Manufacturing precision
If hydrothermal preparation method is used to produce lithium titanate, then the material can be obtained through ion exchange and annealing, but the process involves high temperature and high pressure, strong alkali conditions, and harsh requirements for reaction apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent significantly reduces the reaction temperature from traditional high temperature hydrothermal conditions to 90-150°C, lowers pressure requirements, and reduces alkali concentration from 10 mol/L to 0.1-2 mol/L, thereby eliminating safety risks and harsh apparatus requirements while maintaining control over crystal phase and morphology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful strong alkali condition into a beneficial controlled low-concentration alkali environment, where the organic additive mediates the reaction to achieve complete conversion without requiring excessive base, thus turning a harmful factor into a controllable and beneficial process condition
3Productivity
If hydrothermal preparation method uses high concentration alkali, then the reaction can proceed under hydrothermal conditions, but the subsequent product separation and purification becomes difficult and brings pollution to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the alkali concentration parameter from high (10 mol/L) to low (0.1-2 mol/L), which maintains sufficient reaction efficiency while dramatically reducing pollution and simplifying product separation and purification processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-concentration alkali into a beneficial low-concentration alkali system mediated by organic additives, where the reaction remains efficient but the byproducts are environmentally friendly and easily separable, thus converting a harmful factor into a beneficial one
4Area of stationary object
If conventional methods are used to produce lithium titanate, then the material can be obtained, but the specific surface area is insufficient and grain boundaries between particles are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lithium titanate into a linear hierarchical structure composed of nanoscale building blocks (10-100 nm) arranged in linear chains, which dramatically increases the specific surface area while reducing grain boundaries through the one-dimensional configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from zero-dimensional particles to one-dimensional linear hierarchical structures, where the nanoscale components are arranged in linear chains, thereby increasing the specific surface area and facilitating carrier transport along the long-axis direction
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 achieves a lithium titanate material with enhanced specific surface area, reduced grain boundaries, and improved charge-discharge performance, suitable for large-scale industrial production with a simple and controlled process.
Implementation Method 1
the long axis may facilitate the effective migration of electrons
Implementation Method 2
the short axis may facilitate the rapid intercalation and deintercalation of lithium, sodium or potassium ions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a linear hierarchical structure lithium titanate material, preparation and application thereof. The crystal phase of the lithium titanate material is a spinel-type crystal phase or a monoclinic crystal phase or a composite crystal phase thereof; the lithium titanate material is mainly composed of a linear hierarchical structure; the linear hierarchical structure has an aspect ratio larger than 10; and the surface components of the linear hierarchical structure are nanosheets. The long-axis of the linear structure facilitates the effective migration of electrons, and the sheet-like hierarchical structure facilitates the rapid intercalation and deintercalation process of lithium ions, sodium ions or potassium ions, and a large specific surface area facilitates the contact area between the electrolyte solution and the electrodes and reduces the current density, thus is excellent in a rapid charge-discharge performance of the battery.