Monoclinic Composite Oxide Anode for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries with carbon-based negative electrodes face issues such as rapid charge-discharge leading to metallic lithium dendrite precipitation, heat generation, and internal short circuits, while titanium oxide-based electrodes offer stability but have lower energy density and higher voltage, making them unsuitable for high-energy applications.

Innovation Solution

A composite oxide with a monoclinic layered structure, represented by the formula Li w M1 2-x Ti 8-y M2 z O 17+δ, is used as the active material, where M1 includes alkali ions like Cs, K, or Na, and M2 includes elements like Zr, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Mn, and Al, to enhance lithium ion insertion and extraction capabilities, thereby improving energy density and charge-discharge performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If carbon-based negative electrode material is used, then energy density is high, but rapid charge-discharge causes metallic lithium dendrite precipitation and internal short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsafety during rapid charge-discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the potential parameter of the negative electrode material from carbon-based (low potential) to titanium oxide-based (higher potential around 1.5V vs Li/Li+), which fundamentally alters the electrochemical behavior to prevent lithium dendrite formation while maintaining operational safety during rapid charge-discharge cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite oxide materials containing titanium oxide combined with other metal oxides (such as vanadium oxide, niobium oxide, or tungsten oxide) to create a synergistic effect that maintains the high potential characteristic while enhancing capacity and improving charge-discharge rate performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If titanium oxide-based negative electrode material is used, then rapid charge-discharge performance and stability are improved, but energy density and battery voltage decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability during rapid charge-dischargeVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite oxide structures where titanium oxide is combined with other metal oxides (V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W) to create materials that maintain the high potential and stability of titanium oxide while the additional components contribute to higher capacity, thereby improving energy density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies specific regions of the titanium oxide structure by incorporating other metal elements at specific sites within the oxide lattice, creating local variations in electronic structure and electrochemical properties that enhance both capacity and charge-discharge rate while maintaining overall structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If titanium oxide-based negative electrode material is used, then charge-discharge rate performance is improved, but battery voltage becomes lower than conventional carbon-based batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge-discharge rate performanceVSAvoidbattery voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines titanium oxide with other metal oxides that have complementary electrochemical properties, where the composite structure enables faster lithium ion transport (improving charge-discharge rate) while the synergistic effects maintain higher operating voltage compared to pure titanium oxide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 composite oxide achieves a higher battery voltage and charge-discharge capacity, enabling secondary batteries with improved energy density and rapid charge-discharge rates, while maintaining stability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a composite oxide with a monoclinic layered structure... to enhance lithium ion insertion and extraction capabilities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon insertion and extraction: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3378833B1Active material, electrode, secondary battery, battery pack, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3378833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3378833B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3378833B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to one approach, an active material including a composite oxide is provided. The composite oxide has a monoclinic crystal structure and is represented by the general formula LiwM12-xTi8-yM2zO17+δ, wherein: M1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Cs, K, and Na; M2 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Mn, and Al; 0 ≤ w ≤ 10; 0 < x < 2; 0 < y < 8; 0 < z < 8; and -0.5 ≤ δ ≤ 0.5.