Positive Electrode Active Material for Lithium-Ion Battery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positive electrode active materials for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, do not adequately address the need for increased capacity, particularly when used in vehicles, despite efforts to improve crystal structure and composition.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode active material with a specific crystal structure belonging to the space group R-3m, represented by the compositional formula Li α Na β Ni 1-b-c Mn b X c O d, where the integrated intensity ratio I 101 /I 012 of X-ray diffraction peaks is controlled to less than 2.2, stabilizing the layered rock-salt structure and enhancing charge-discharge capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional lithium-transition metal composite oxide is used as positive electrode active material, then basic battery function is achieved, but charge-discharge capacity is insufficient for vehicle applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge-discharge capacityVSAvoidbattery performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the integrated intensity ratio I(101)/I(012) of X-ray diffraction peaks to be 1.2 or more, and controlling the ratio of Ni 3d3/2 to Ni 3d5/2 peak intensities. These parameter controls optimize the crystal structure to achieve higher charge-discharge capacity while maintaining stability, resolving the contradiction between capacity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by incorporating multiple elements (Ni, Mn, and other transition metals) in specific ratios within the lithium-transition metal composite oxide structure. This composite approach enables optimization of both capacity and stability, achieving vehicle-grade battery performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If crystal structure is optimized to increase capacity, then charge-discharge capacity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge-discharge capacityVSAvoidcrystal structure control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical/crystallographic control methods with X-ray diffraction characterization-based control. By using I(101)/I(012) ratio and peak intensity ratios as control parameters, the patent simplifies manufacturing precision requirements while achieving the desired crystal structure optimization for high capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If element composition is adjusted to improve battery performance, then capacity increases, but material complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages material complexity by establishing specific parameter ranges for element ratios (Ni 3d3/2 to Ni 3d5/2 intensity ratio, I(101)/I(012) ratio) rather than controlling individual element compositions separately. This parameter-based approach simplifies the complexity of multi-element composition optimization while achieving high capacity performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 proposed active material significantly increases the charge-discharge capacity of non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries by maintaining a stable crystal structure, thereby improving battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated intensity ratio I 101 /I 012 of diffraction peaks of a (101) plane and a (012) plane of an X-ray diffraction pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

integrated intensity ratio I 101 /I 012 of diffraction peaks of a (101) plane and a (012) plane of an X-ray diffraction pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4661108A1Positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4661108A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4661108A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4661108A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A positive electrode active material according to the present invention has a crystalline structure belonging to the space group R-3m, and is represented by the compositional formula LiαNaβNi1-b-cMnbXcOd, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of representative elements and transition metal elements other than Li, Na, Ni, and Mn, 0.80 < α ≤ 1.20, 0 < β ≤ 0.20, 0.80 < α+β ≤ 1.20, 0< 1-b-c ≤1, 0 ≤ b < 1, 0 ≤ c <1, and d is a value that satisfies electrical neutrality. The ratio I101/I012 of the integrated intensity I101 of a diffraction peak in the (101) plane to the integrated intensity I012 of a diffraction peak in the (012) plane of an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained through powder X-ray diffraction of the positive electrode active material is less than 2.2.