Mesoporous Metal Oxide Electrode Active Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current negative active materials in lithium batteries, such as carbonaceous materials, lack satisfactory conductivity, capacity, and lifetime characteristics, limiting their performance in terms of rate capability and stability.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrode active material comprising an ordered mesoporous metal oxide with conductive carbon materials embedded within its pores, enhancing conductivity and capacity while tolerating volumetric expansion during charge and discharge cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If graphite is used as negative active material, then stability is improved, but capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal oxide particles (providing high capacity) with conductive carbon material (providing stability and conductivity). The metal oxide is embedded in the carbon matrix, creating a synergistic composite that achieves both high capacity and stable cycling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive carbon material is designed with a porous structure that accommodates metal oxide particles. The porous structure provides pathways for electrolyte penetration and lithium ion transport while maintaining structural integrity during volume changes, enabling both high capacity utilization and long-term stability
2Quantity of substance
If metal oxide is used to increase capacity, then capacity is improved, but conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite where metal oxide particles are dispersed in a conductive carbon matrix. The carbon material provides continuous conductive pathways that compensate for the poor intrinsic conductivity of metal oxide, enabling efficient electron transport while maintaining high capacity from the metal oxide
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive carbon material is localized around and between metal oxide particles, creating regions of high conductivity where needed. The carbon coating on metal oxide surfaces provides local conductivity enhancement, while the bulk metal oxide maintains its high capacity characteristics
3Quantity of substance
If mixture of carbonaceous material and negative active material is used, then capacity is improved, but conductivity and lifetime characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a well-integrated composite structure where metal oxide particles are embedded in a continuous conductive carbon matrix, rather than a simple mixture. This integrated structure ensures percolation pathways for electrons and maintains structural coherence during cycling, preserving both conductivity and lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive carbon material is prepared in advance with a porous structure designed to accommodate metal oxide particles. This preliminary structuring of the carbon matrix ensures that when metal oxide is incorporated, the composite maintains excellent conductivity and structural stability from the outset, preventing degradation during cycling
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 proposed electrode active material exhibits improved electrical characteristics, increased capacity, and extended lifetime, facilitating higher performance and stability in lithium batteries.
Implementation Method 1
at least one conductive carbon material disposed in a pore of the ordered mesoporous metal oxide
Implementation Method 2
tolerating volumetric expansion during charge and discharge cycles
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode active material including an ordered mesoporous metal oxide; and at least one conductive carbon material disposed in a pore of the ordered mesoporous metal oxide. Also, an electrode including the electrode active material, and a lithium battery including the electrode.