Paste-like Oxidized Carbon Electrode for High Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric storage devices face limitations in achieving high energy density and excellent cycle life due to difficulties in efficiently infiltrating conductive carbon between active material particles, leading to insufficient improvement in energy density and cycle life.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrode material comprising oxidized carbon, obtained by giving a strong oxidizing treatment to a carbon raw material with an inner vacancy, which forms a paste-like conductive carbon that densely covers the surface of active material particles, improving dispersibility and conductivity, and fills gaps between particles, thereby increasing active material density and preventing electrolyte solution impregnation and active material dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conductive carbon is used to mix with active material particles, then the composite material gains conductivity and structural support, but the energy density remains limited due to the volume occupied by conductive carbon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state of oxidized carbon from a dry powder form to a paste-like form through oxidation treatment. This phase change enables the carbon to fill interparticle spaces more effectively, maintaining conductivity while reducing the volume fraction of conductive carbon needed, thereby increasing energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous structure created by oxidation treatment to allow electrolyte penetration while maintaining a dense packing of active material particles. The oxidized carbon forms a paste-like material that can infiltrate into gaps between particles, providing conductivity pathways without occupying excessive volume.
2Quantity of substance
If the distance between active material particles is reduced to increase active material quantity per unit volume, then energy density improves, but the dispersibility of conductive carbon becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidation treatment changes the physical and chemical parameters of conductive carbon, transforming it into a paste-like material with improved flowability and dispersibility. This enables effective distribution even at reduced particle distances, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while increasing active material density.
3Quantity of substance
If conductive carbon structure is reduced to improve dispersibility, then the distance between active material particles decreases, but the conductivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidation treatment modifies the conductive carbon's physical state and surface properties, creating a paste-like material that maintains electrical conductivity while achieving superior dispersibility. The oxidized carbon forms continuous conductive networks at lower concentrations, preserving conductivity while enabling higher active material packing.
4Quantity of substance
If oxidized carbon is used to densely cover active material particles, then active material density increases and dissolution is prevented, but the conductivity needs to be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidation treatment transforms conductive carbon into a paste-like material that can densely adhere to active material particle surfaces, providing both protective coverage and conductivity. The modified carbon maintains electrical pathways while achieving intimate contact with active material, preventing dissolution without sacrificing conductive performance.
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
This approach results in an electric storage device with enhanced energy density and cycle life by increasing the active material density and maintaining sufficient conductivity without inhibiting electrolyte impregnation, while also reducing active material dissolution.
Implementation Method 1
oxidized carbon, which is obtained by giving a strong oxidizing treatment to a carbon raw material with an inner vacancy
Implementation Method 2
fills gaps between particles, thereby increasing active material density
Implementation Method 3
acts as a matrix to absorb the volume change in accordance with the reaction of the active material. Also, it serves to ensure an electron conducting path when the active material is mechanically damaged
Implementation Method 4
acts as a matrix to absorb the volume change in accordance with the reaction of the active material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrode which gives an electric storage device that has high energy density and good cycle life. This electrode for an electric storage device is characterized by having an active material layer that contains: an electrode active material particle; and a paste-like conductive carbon that is derived from an oxidized carbon obtained by giving an oxidizing treatment to a carbon raw material with an inner vacancy and covers a surface of the electrode active material particle. The paste-like conductive carbon derived from the oxidized carbon is densely filled not only into a gap that is formed between the electrode active material particles adjacent to each other but also into a pore that exists on the surface of the active material particle, so that the electrode density is increased, thereby improving the energy density of the electric storage device. In addition, since the paste-like conductive carbon suppresses dissolution of the active material, the cycle characteristics of the electric storage device are improved.