Porous Lithium Manganese Cathode Material for High-Rate Energy Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional overlithiated lithium manganese-based oxides suffer from low energy density per unit volume, poor capacity characteristics, and inadequate rate performance due to thick plate-like particle structures and low porosity, which hinder their commercialization and stability in lithium secondary batteries.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode active material with a controlled intra-particle porosity is developed, featuring distinct porosity gradients in different regions of the lithium manganese-based oxide particles, optimized by controlling the synthesis conditions to enhance specific surface area and reduce side reactions with the electrolyte.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If overlithiated lithium manganese-based oxide is used as positive electrode active material, then high capacity under high voltage operating environment can be achieved, but electrical conductivity is low and rate characteristic is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidrate characteristic

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by controlling the porosity of lithium manganese-based oxide particles to be 30% or more, creating an internal porous structure that facilitates electrolyte penetration and ion transport. This porous structure improves electrical conductivity and rate characteristics while maintaining high capacity, directly resolving the contradiction between capacity and rate performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If overlithiated lithium manganese-based oxide is used, then high voltage operation is possible, but energy density per unit volume is lower compared to high-Ni ternary lithium composite oxides

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevoltageVSAvoidenergy density per unit volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the porosity parameter to 30% or more, which creates sufficient void space for electrolyte penetration while maintaining particle density. This parameter optimization enables high voltage operation (4.2V or higher) to achieve practical energy density levels, resolving the contradiction between voltage and energy density per unit volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If conventional lithium manganese oxide is used, then thermal safety and low cost are achieved, but capacity is small and high-temperature characteristics are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidhigh-temperature characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by creating a controlled porous structure with 30% or more porosity in lithium manganese-based oxide particles. This porous structure improves high-temperature characteristics by facilitating heat dissipation and electrolyte access, while simultaneously increasing capacity through better ion transport, thus resolving both capacity and temperature-related issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous 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 controlled porosity improves the energy density, capacity, and rate characteristics of lithium manganese-based oxides, enabling them to operate at higher voltages with enhanced stability and lifetime, suitable for commercial applications.

Implementation Method 1

a lithium secondary battery storing electrical energy due to a difference in chemical potential when lithium ions are intercalated/deintercalated into/from a positive electrode and a negative electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntercalation/Deintercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

A positive electrode active material with a controlled intra-particle porosity is developed, featuring distinct porosity gradients in different regions of the lithium manganese-based oxide particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20260058135A1Positive electrode active material and lithium secondary battery comprising the same

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 ECOPRO BM CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium manganese oxide in which lithium and manganese are present in excess, having an improved energy density per unit volume, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same, thereby exhibiting enhanced electrochemical characteristics.