Multi-Metal Oxide Anode Material for High-Capacity Li-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary lithium batteries face limitations in terms of capacity, stability, and cycle life due to the use of graphite as the primary electrode material, which has a low theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g, making them unsuitable for high-energy density and long-cycle applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of anode materials comprising metal oxides with specific atomic ratios, such as cobalt-copper-tin, silicon-tin-iron, copper-manganese-silicon, tin-manganese-nickel, manganese-copper-nickel, and nickel-copper-tin oxides, which are synthesized using methods like hydrothermal or co-precipitation to enhance electrical conductivity and lithium ion diffusion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If graphite is used as the anode material, then the battery structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the capacity is low (theoretical value is 372 mAh/g)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite anode materials combining multiple metal oxides (Co3O4, CuO, SnO2, SiO2, Fe2O3, MnO2, NiO) in specific atomic ratios to create a synergistic material system. This composite approach overcomes the low capacity limitation of graphite while maintaining manufacturability through established hydrothermal and co-precipitation synthesis methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of anode material composition from carbon-based graphite to metal oxide composites with tunable stoichiometry. By adjusting atomic ratios of constituent elements and controlling synthesis parameters (temperature, time, pH), the material achieves optimized capacity, conductivity, and structural stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If graphite is used as the anode material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the stability and cycle life are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-component metal oxide composite structure provides enhanced structural stability and cycle life compared to graphite. Each oxide component contributes specific properties: Co3O4 for catalytic activity, CuO for conductivity, SnO2 for volume expansion buffering, SiO2 for structural framework, Fe2O3 for capacity, MnO2 for stability, and NiO for conductivity. Together they form a robust composite that maintains integrity during charge-discharge cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions and components within the composite anode material serve specialized functions: some components (like CuO and NiO) provide electrical conductivity pathways, others (like SnO2 and SiO2) buffer volume changes, while Fe2O3 and MnO2 contribute to capacity and stability. This localized functional distribution enhances overall reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional synthesis.
3Ease of manufacture
If graphite is used as the anode material, then the production process is straightforward, but the energy density is low
Solution Approach 1:
The metal oxide composite anode achieves high energy density by combining multiple high-capacity materials. The theoretical capacity of the composite exceeds that of graphite (372 mAh/g) due to the higher lithium storage capacity of metal oxides. The composite structure enables efficient lithium ion insertion/extraction while maintaining electrical conductivity through components like CuO and NiO, thus achieving high energy density without compromising ease of manufacture.
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
These anode materials significantly improve the capacitance, stability, and charge-discharge cycle life of secondary batteries, surpassing the performance of graphite-based batteries by increasing electrical conductivity and maintaining battery integrity during charge and discharge processes.
Implementation Method 1
These anode materials significantly improve the capacitance, stability, and charge-discharge cycle life of secondary batteries, surpassing the performance of graphite-based batteries by increasing electrical conductivity
Implementation Method 2
synthesized using methods like hydrothermal or co-precipitation to enhance electrical conductivity and lithium ion diffusion rates
Data Source
AI summary
An anode material for a secondary battery is provided. The anode material for the secondary battery includes a metal oxide containing four or more than four elements, or an oxide mixture containing four or more than four elements. The metal oxide includes cobalt-copper-tin oxide, silicon-tin-iron oxide, copper-manganese-silicon oxide, tin-manganese-nickel oxide, manganese-copper-nickel oxide, or nickel-copper-tin oxide. The oxide mixture includes the oxide mixture containing cobalt, copper and tin, the oxide mixture containing silicon, tin and iron, the oxide mixture containing copper, manganese and silicon, the oxide mixture containing tin, manganese and nickel, the oxide mixture containing manganese, copper and nickel, or the oxide mixture containing nickel, copper and tin.