Nanostructured Cathode Coatings for Stable High-Nickel Li-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries, such as nickel manganese cobalt mixed oxides (NMC) with high nickel content, suffer from rapid aging and performance loss due to electrochemical degradation mechanisms, leading to decreased capacity, performance, and cycle life.
Innovation Solution
A process involving dry mixing of transition metal oxides with pyrogenically produced lithium titanate and/or lithium aluminate, followed by thermal treatment, to create a coated transition metal oxide with improved stability and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transition metal oxide particles are coated with metal oxides to inhibit unwanted reactions, then long-life stability is improved, but ionic conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is applied locally on the surface of transition metal oxide particles, providing protective properties only where needed at the particle surface while maintaining the bulk material's electrochemical activity and ionic conductivity pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating thickness and composition are optimized to achieve the right balance between protection and conductivity. By controlling coating parameters, the patent improves long-life stability through surface protection while maintaining sufficient ionic conductivity for battery performance.
2Quantity of substance
If high nickel content is used in NMC cathode materials to increase energy density, then capacity is improved, but electrochemical degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer of metal oxides (such as Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, or their combinations) is introduced as an intermediary between the high-nickel NMC particles and the electrolyte. This coating acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact and harmful reactions, thereby extending cycle life while allowing the high-nickel core to maintain its high energy density.
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 coated transition metal oxide exhibits enhanced long-life stability, improved ionic conductivity, and increased cycle life, making it suitable for use in both liquid and solid-state lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
pyrogenically produced lithium titanate and/or pyrogenically produced lithium aluminate
Implementation Method 2
pyrogenically produced lithium titanate and/or pyrogenically produced lithium aluminate
Implementation Method 3
followed by thermal treatment, to create a coated transition metal oxide
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing a coated transition metal oxide involves subjecting a transition metal oxide and a pyrogenically produced lithium titanate and/or pyrogenically produced lithium aluminate to dry mixing. A coated transition metal oxide is obtainable by this process; and cathode for a lithium ion battery and a lithium ion battery containing such coated particles is useful.