Negative Electrode Carbon Blend for High-Temperature Cycle Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage devices, such as lithium ion batteries, experience a significant increase in power resistance during charge-discharge cycles, especially under high temperatures, when using graphite as the negative electrode material.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a combination of graphite and graphitizable carbon in the negative electrode, with a specific mass ratio and particle size distribution, to enhance filling rate and conductivity, thereby suppressing the increase in power resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only graphite is used as the negative electrode material, then the device achieves good initial performance, but the power resistance increases significantly during charge-discharge cycles under high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge-discharge cycle characteristicsVSAvoidpower resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining graphite and graphitizable carbon in a specific mass ratio (94:6 to 60:40). This composite negative electrode material maintains the advantages of graphite while adding the benefits of graphitizable carbon, which forms a protective coating during initial cycles that prevents electrolyte decomposition and maintains low power resistance throughout charge-discharge cycles under high temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the mass ratio of graphite to graphitizable carbon (94:6 to 60:40) and controlling the particle size distribution (D50 of graphite: 3-20 μm, D50 of graphitizable carbon: 1-10 μm). These parameter optimizations ensure that the composite material achieves the right balance between initial performance and cycle stability, preventing excessive power resistance increase during cycling at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the negative electrode contains graphitizable carbon with small particle size, then the filling rate and conductivity are enhanced, but the mass ratio of graphitizable carbon must be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling rate and conductivityVSAvoidmass ratio control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific ranges for the mass ratio of graphitizable carbon (6-40 mass%) and particle size distribution (D50 of graphite: 3-20 μm, D50 of graphitizable carbon: 1-10 μm). These parameter specifications optimize the filling rate and conductivity while providing clear manufacturing guidelines to control the complexity of mass ratio management during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of graphite and graphitizable carbon in a controlled ratio and size distribution effectively reduces power resistance during charge-discharge cycles, even under high temperature conditions, by minimizing side reactions and maintaining conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

graphitizable carbon which has a median diameter of less than a median diameter of the graphite and a ratio (graphitizable carbon/graphite) of the median diameter of the graphitizable carbon to the median diameter of the graphite of 0.28 or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3605669B1Nonaqueous electrolyte power storage device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GS YUASA INT LTD
  • EP3605669B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3605669B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device in which an increase in power resistance accompanying a charging/discharging cycle under a high temperature is suppressed. The nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a negative electrode including graphite and graphitizable carbon, in which a ratio of a mass of the graphitizable carbon to a total mass of the graphite and the graphitizable carbon is less than 26% by mass, and a median diameter of the graphitizable carbon is smaller than a median diameter of the graphite.