Porous Secondary Carbon Anode Material for Faster Ion Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphite-based anode materials in lithium secondary batteries face limitations in lithium insertion and exit due to limited edge plane exposure, leading to dendrite formation, reduced rate controlling, and degraded capacity and lifespan, while being unsuitable for next-generation batteries with larger cations like Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Al3+.
Innovation Solution
An anode active material composed of secondary carbon particles formed by flocculating primary carbon particles with a specific size range and a spherical porous structure, allowing easy ion exchange and improved interface with electrolytes, enhanced by incorporating metals like Sn, Al, and Si, and mixed with graphite for improved energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If graphite is manufactured through a spheroidization process, then the anode material achieves a spherical shape, but the edge plane exposure to electrolyte is reduced, limiting lithium insertion and exit passages
Solution Approach 1:
The graphite particles are segmented into flake-like structures with exposed edge planes, rather than fully spherical shapes. This segmentation allows multiple edge planes to be exposed on the particle surface, providing multiple lithium insertion/exit passages while maintaining overall particle integrity and reasonable spherical morphology.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local quality variation on the particle surface by forming flake-like structures that selectively expose edge planes in specific regions. This allows different parts of the particle to have different functions: some regions provide lithium passages through exposed edge planes, while other regions maintain spherical morphology for good packing density.
2Volume of stationary object
If graphite has a narrow interplanar distance for compact structure, then the anode material achieves high density, but structural deformation occurs during lithium insertion, slowing the initial reaction rate
Solution Approach 1:
The graphite structure is segmented into flake-like units with controlled interplanar distances. This segmentation allows the overall particle to maintain compact density while individual flakes have optimized interplanar spacing for rapid lithium insertion, preventing excessive structural deformation during charging/discharging cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the interplanar distance parameter of graphite flakes to a specific range that balances density and reaction rate. By controlling this physical parameter, the material achieves both high density and fast initial reaction kinetics, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and rapid lithium insertion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If graphite is used as anode active material for next-generation secondary batteries with larger cations, then the battery design is simplified, but the capacity, lifespan, and rate are degraded due to difficulty of cation entry and exit
Solution Approach 1:
The flake-like graphite structure with exposed edge planes provides universal applicability across different battery chemistries. The same structural morphology that enables fast lithium insertion also facilitates entry and exit of larger cations like Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Al3+, making the anode material versatile for both current lithium-based and next-generation batteries without degradation of 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
The anode active material facilitates easy entry and exit of ions, enhances ion storage capacity, and improves battery characteristics such as capacity, lifespan, and rate controlling, with increased energy density and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
secondary carbon particles formed by flocculation of a plurality of primary carbon particles
Implementation Method 2
carbonizing the first aggregate, or carbonizing a second aggregate formed by removing the sacrificial polymer from the first aggregate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an anode active material, a method of manufacturing the anode active material, and an anode and a secondary battery including the anode active material, the anode active material including secondary carbon particles formed by flocculation of a plurality of primary carbon particles having an average particle diameter (D50) in a range from 5 to 200 nm, wherein the secondary carbon particles have an average particle diameter (D50) in a range from 0.5 to 20 μm.