Lithium Battery Negative Electrode Orientation for High-Rate Cycle Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rechargeable lithium batteries face challenges in achieving improved electrochemical characteristics, particularly in terms of high-rate cycle-life and energy density, due to limitations in the orientation and conductivity of the negative active material.

Innovation Solution

A negative electrode for rechargeable lithium batteries is designed with a carbon-based negative active material and a conductive agent, where the conductive agent includes fiber-shaped or particle-shaped components with specific size and DD value ranges, optimizing the orientation and conductivity of the electrode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional carbon-based negative active materials are used without specific orientation control, then the electrode structure is simple to manufacture, but the high-rate cycle-life and electrochemical performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-rate cycle-lifeVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the orientation of graphite crystallites through specific processing parameters. The (004) plane orientation angle is controlled to be within 15° from the normal direction of the current collector surface, and the I(110)/I(004) intensity ratio is maintained within 0.05-0.5. These parameter controls improve high-rate cycle-life by optimizing lithium ion diffusion paths while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining oriented artificial graphite crystallites with conductive agents and binders in a specific matrix structure. This composite approach maintains structural simplicity for manufacturing while achieving improved electrochemical performance through the synergistic effect of oriented graphite and conductive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If graphite materials are oriented with (004) plane at 45°-90° to current collector surface as in prior art, then conductivity is improved, but energy density and cycle-life performance are not sufficiently enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle-life performanceVSAvoidorientation control requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter from the prior art's 45°-90° range to a more specific 0°-15° range from the normal direction (i.e., 75°-90° from the surface). This parameter optimization, combined with controlling the I(110)/I(004) ratio within 0.05-0.5, achieves superior cycle-life performance while managing orientation control requirements through standardized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If non-oriented carbon-based negative active material is used, then manufacturing process is simple, but internal resistance is high and electrochemical characteristics are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidelectrochemical characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces orientation parameters (I(110)/I(004) ratio of 0.05-0.5 and (004) plane angle of 15° from normal) that can be controlled through standard coating and drying processes. This maintains ease of manufacture while dramatically improving electrochemical characteristics including lower internal resistance and better charge-discharge performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If high capacity non-carbon-based negative active materials like silicon or tin are used, then energy density is improved, but electrode expansion occurs during charge and discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidelectrode structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where oriented artificial graphite crystallites form a stable matrix that can accommodate high capacity materials. The specific orientation control creates a structurally stable framework that prevents electrode expansion while allowing the incorporation of silicon or tin for enhanced energy density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 optimized negative electrode structure enhances the electrochemical performance by improving the high-rate cycle-life and energy density of the rechargeable lithium batteries, while also reducing internal resistance and suppressing electrode expansion during charge and discharge.

Implementation Method 1

a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including a current collector and a negative active material layer disposed on the current collector and including a carbon-based negative active material and a conductive agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a lithium-transition metal oxide having a structure capable of intercalating lithium ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

a lithium-transition metal oxide having a structure capable of intercalating lithium ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3561914B1Negative electrode for rechargeable lithium battery, and rechargeable lithium battery including same
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP3561914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3561914B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3561914B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a current collector and a negative active material layer disposed on the current collector and including a carbon-based negative active material and a conductive agent, wherein the conductive agent includes a fiber-shaped conductive agent having a length of about 1 µm to about 200 µm or a particle-shaped conductive agent having a size (long diameter) of about 1 µm to about 20 µm, and a DD (Degree of Divergence) value defined by Equation 1 is greater than or equal to about 24. DDDegree of Divergence=Ia/Itotal*100 In Equation 1, Ia is a sum of peak intensities at non-planar angles measured by XRD using a CuKα ray, Itotal is a sum of peak intensity at all angles measured by XRD using a CuKα ray.