Nanocomposite Cathode Electrode to Suppress Organic Material Elution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transition metal oxide-based cathode active materials in secondary batteries face challenges with low capacity and environmental pollution, while organic compound-based materials suffer from high solubility leading to a shortened lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A nanocomposite cathode electrode is developed by mixing a p-type organic compound, such as 5,10-dihydro 5,10-dimethylphenazine (DMPZ), with an n-type organic compound like perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydiride (PTCDA) or 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI), or flavanthrone (FVT), and optionally a metal powder with low ionization energy, to form a hybrid structure that suppresses elution and enhances lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If organic compound-based cathode active material is used, then environmental friendliness and cost are improved, but lifespan is shortened due to high solubility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system consisting of p-type organic compound (electron donor) and n-type organic compound (electron acceptor) in a nanocomposite structure. This composite approach maintains the environmental benefits of organic materials while the intermolecular interactions between p-type and n-type compounds reduce solubility and improve lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional transition metal oxide-based cathode active material is used, then stability is improved, but capacity and energy density are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcapacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the cathode active material from inorganic transition metal oxides to organic compounds with tunable molecular structures. By adjusting the chemical structure, molecular weight, and composition ratios of the organic compounds, both stability and capacity can be optimized simultaneously, overcoming the inherent limitations of conventional materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If p-type organic compound is used alone, then electron donation capability is improved, but solubility increases leading to material elution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron donation capabilityVSAvoidmaterial elution

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The n-type organic compound acts as an intermediary that interacts with the p-type organic compound through electron acceptance and intermolecular forces. This intermediary relationship reduces the solubility of the p-type compound in the electrolyte, preventing material elution while maintaining the electron donation capability of the p-type compound during battery operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12586777B2Nanocomposite cathode electrode, manufacturing method thereof, and secondary battery including the same

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 KOREA RES INST OF STANDARDS & SCI

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present invention, a nanocomposite cathode electrode is manufactured by mixing a cathode active material, a conductive material, and a binder and curing a resultant mixture, wherein the cathode active material may include a first mixture of a p-type organic compound and an n-type organic compound, or a second mixture of the p-type organic compound and metal powder.