Lithium-Titanium Anode with Niobium Coating for State of Charge Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face challenges in accurately estimating the state of charge, particularly for battery chemistries like lithium-titanium oxide with long and flat charge/discharge plateaus, necessitating improved electrode designs for enhanced estimation.
Innovation Solution
The development of an anode electrode comprising a negative current collector with a lithium-titanium oxide and niobium-titanium oxide anode layer, where the lithium-titanium oxide is either physically blended or partially coated with niobium-titanium oxide, and configured in multiple layer structures to optimize state of charge estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If lithium-titanium oxide is used as the anode material, then fast charging/discharging performance is improved, but state of charge estimation accuracy deteriorates due to long and flat charge/discharge plateaus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining lithium-titanium oxide particles with conductive carbon coating and binder materials to form a composite anode structure. This composite approach maintains the fast charging capability of lithium-titanium oxide while the additional materials help create more distinguishable voltage characteristics for improved state of charge estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the lithium-titanium oxide by controlling particle size, coating thickness, and material composition ratios. These parameter modifications alter the charge/discharge voltage profile to reduce the flat plateau effect, enabling better voltage differentiation for state of charge estimation while preserving fast charging performance.
2Speed
If open circuit voltage-based method is used for state of charge estimation, then response speed is improved, but estimation accuracy deteriorates for batteries with flat charge/discharge plateaus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductive carbon as an intermediary material that mediates between the lithium-titanium oxide active material and the electrolyte. This intermediary creates additional interfacial reactions and voltage drops that produce more distinguishable voltage signals, enabling the open circuit voltage method to achieve both fast response and accurate state of charge estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
An anode electrode with enhanced state of charge estimation is provided. The anode electrode comprises anode layer and a negative current collector. The negative current collector has a first side and a second side. The anode layer comprises lithium-titanium oxide and a second anode material (e.g. niobium-titanium oxide) disposed on at least one of the first and second sides of the negative current collector with single-layer or layer-by-layer coated structures. The second anode material (e.g. niobium-titanium oxide) can be physically blended with lithium-titanium oxide or be at least partially coated on the surface of lithium-titanium oxide or their combinations. The anode electrode further comprises a binder and a conductive carbon.