NCM Cathode Crystallite Control for Thermal Stability and Cold Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Positive electrodes based on lithium nickel composite oxides tend to generate heat and release oxygen during charging or discharging, leading to low thermal stability and low-temperature low-SOC output properties, which are further compromised when elements substitute for nickel to improve thermal stability.

Innovation Solution

A nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM)-based active material with controlled crystallite size, secondary particle diameter, and thermal mass spectrometry characteristics, including a weight decrease amount and rate, is developed to enhance both thermal stability and low-temperature low-SOC output properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an added element substitutes for a nickel element to improve thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but low-temperature low-SOC output property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidlow-temperature low-SOC output property
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the crystallite size parameter to a specific range (460-580 Å) to simultaneously achieve high thermal stability and good low-temperature low-SOC output properties, avoiding the need for element substitution that would compromise performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure with controlled crystallite size and aggregated particle morphology (secondary particles with D50 of 14-18 μm) to achieve both thermal stability and electrochemical performance without requiring added elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If a lithium nickel composite oxide is used in positive electrode, then high capacity is achieved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to heat generation and oxygen release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the crystallite size parameter to 460-580 Å, which suppresses heat generation and oxygen release while maintaining high capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between power and thermal stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a specific local structure with controlled crystallite size within aggregated particles, where the local crystallite dimensions provide thermal stability while the overall particle structure maintains high capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4403523A1Positive electrode NCM-based active material, positive electrode, and battery
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4403523A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403523A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4403523A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to: a positive electrode NCM-based active material (11) in which a crystallite size is 460 Å or more; a positive electrode (20) including the positive electrode NCM-based active material (11); and a battery (100) including the positive electrode (20). According to the present disclosure, there are provided: the positive electrode NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese)-based active material (11) that can exhibit an improved low-temperature low-SOC output property as well as high thermal stability; the positive electrode (20) including the positive electrode NCM-based active material (11); and the battery (100) including the positive electrode (20).