High-Surface-Area Metal Hydroxide Cathode Additive for Li-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries face self-discharge and capacity degradation at high temperatures due to reactivity with non-aqueous electrolytes, and existing solutions using metal hydroxides as additives are limited by their non-conductive nature, which can decrease battery capacity if added in excess.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a metal hydroxide with a large specific surface area as a cathode additive minimizes capacity loss and impedance increase, even when used in small amounts, by enhancing storage properties at high temperatures through its surface interaction with electrolytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal hydroxides are added to cathode active materials in an excessive amount, then storage properties at high temperature are improved, but battery capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of specific surface area of metal hydroxide particles from conventional small values to large values (5-100 m²/g). This parameter change allows the metal hydroxide to be effective at much lower concentrations (0.1-5 wt%), resolving the contradiction between improving storage properties and maintaining battery capacity.
2Reliability
If the amount of metal hydroxides added to cathode is increased to improve storage properties, then storage properties are improved, but the amount of cathode active material decreases causing capacity loss
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the particle size parameter to achieve large specific surface area (5-100 m²/g), the patent enables effective storage property improvement with minimal metal hydroxide addition (0.1-5 wt%), thereby preserving the amount of cathode active material and maintaining high battery capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If metal hydroxides with small specific surface area are used, then battery capacity is maintained, but storage properties at high temperature are not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies specific surface area as the critical parameter and changes it from small conventional values to large values (5-100 m²/g). This enables the metal hydroxide to effectively interact with electrolyte decomposition products at very low concentrations, improving storage properties without compromising capacity.
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 use of metal hydroxides with high specific surface areas, such as Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2, improves high-temperature storage properties by preventing impedance growth and maintaining battery capacity, as demonstrated by improved residual and recovered capacity ratios and reduced AC impedance.
Implementation Method 1
the effect of the surface of a metal hydroxide on other substances in a battery such as an electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a cathode for a battery and a lithium ion battery. The cathode for a battery comprises a metal hydroxide having a large specific surface area as a cathode additive. The lithium ion battery comprises a cathode, an anode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the cathode comprises a metal hydroxide having a large specific surface area as a cathode additive. When a metal hydroxide having a large specific surface area is used as a cathode additive, excellent storage properties of a battery at a high temperature can be obtained, even if the metal hydroxide is used in a small amount.