Beta-Delithiated Nickel Oxide Cathode for Low-Gas High-Loading Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing batteries face challenges in achieving higher electrochemically active material loading within constrained dimensions, leading to performance issues such as gas evolution, structural integrity problems, and instability due to high oxidation state transition metal oxides, which can react with electrolytes and other components, causing leakage and self-discharge.
Innovation Solution
The use of a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide electrochemically active cathode material with specific X-ray diffraction patterns and controlled composition, which reduces gas generation and enhances stability, allowing for higher loading without compromising battery integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If high oxidation state transition metal oxide is used as electrochemically active cathode material, then battery capacity and service life are improved, but gas evolution occurs leading to structural issues and electrolyte leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer comprising at least one of a metal oxide, metal hydroxide, metal oxyhydroxide, or metal carbonate is applied to the cathode material. This coating acts as an intermediary barrier between the high oxidation state transition metal oxide and the electrolyte, preventing direct harmful interactions that cause gas evolution while allowing electrochemical reactions to proceed. The coating layer specifically suppresses oxygen evolution and prevents detrimental reactions with battery components.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxidation state of the transition metal oxide is controlled to be +3 or higher (such as Ni³⁺, Ni⁴⁺, Co³⁺, Co⁴⁺, Mn⁴⁺), and the coating material parameters are selected from specific metal oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, or carbonates. By changing these material parameters and their combinations, the system achieves high capacity while controlling gas evolution through the protective coating.
2Quantity of substance
If high oxidation state transition metal oxide is used as electrochemically active cathode material, then battery capacity is improved, but cathode swelling and unfavorable water balance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer serves as a protective intermediary that maintains water balance within the cathode structure. It prevents excessive water loss during charging and storage, thereby preventing cathode swelling and maintaining structural stability. The coating materials (metal oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, or carbonates) are specifically selected to regulate water content and prevent structural degradation.
3Productivity
If higher loading of electrochemically active cathode material is used, then battery capacity and service life are improved, but internal volume constraints of fixed battery sizes are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
A thin coating layer is applied to the cathode material particles. This thin film provides protective functions (preventing gas evolution, stabilizing structure, controlling water balance) without adding significant volume. The coating enables higher loading of active material within fixed battery dimensions by preventing volume expansion from gas evolution and cathode swelling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cathode is constructed as a composite material system combining the high oxidation state transition metal oxide core with a protective coating shell. This composite structure maximizes the volumetric energy density by allowing higher active material loading while the coating prevents volume expansion issues, enabling the battery to fit within standard size constraints.
4Quantity of substance
If high oxidation state transition metal oxide is used as electrochemically active cathode material, then battery capacity is improved, but battery exhibits instability and elevated self-discharge during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer acts as a stable intermediary barrier that prevents direct contact between the high oxidation state transition metal oxide and the electrolyte during storage. This isolation suppresses spontaneous chemical reactions and self-discharge, improving storage stability and reliability while preserving the high capacity characteristics of the active material.
5Quantity of substance
If high oxidation state transition metal oxide is used as electrochemically active cathode material, then battery capacity is improved, but detrimental reactions with battery components occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coating layer comprising metal oxide, hydroxide, oxyhydroxide, or carbonate serves as a protective intermediary that physically separates the highly reactive high oxidation state transition metal oxide from other battery components. This prevents detrimental oxidation reactions with carbon additives, degradation of surfactants, and damage to the separator, while allowing the active material to maintain its high capacity functionality.
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 beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide cathode material improves battery performance by reducing gas evolution, maintaining structural integrity, and enhancing stability, thereby supporting higher capacity and service life.
Implementation Method 1
The anode contains an electrochemically active anode material that can be oxidized
Implementation Method 2
The cathode contains an electrochemically active cathode material that can be reduced
Implementation Method 3
allowing electrons to flow through the device and permitting the respective oxidation and reduction reactions to occur to provide electrical power
Implementation Method 4
The electrolyte contains ions that flow through the separator between the anode and cathode to maintain charge balance throughout the battery during discharge
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode includes beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide.