Positive Electrode Sheet With Cracked Active Material for Cycle Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, face challenges in achieving a balance between high energy density and long cycle life, with pre-lithiation technologies increasing production costs and posing safety risks, and conventional methods failing to optimize the cycle performance and capacity retention.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode sheet with a controlled percentage of cracked structure in the positive active material layer, combined with specific particle size distributions and doping elements, to regulate the extraction and retention of lithium ions, enhancing the cycle performance and capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-lithiation technology is used to improve cycle performance, then capacity retention is improved, but production cost increases and safety risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle performanceVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The positive active material itself provides lithium ions through its cracked structure to replenish the SEI membrane, eliminating the need for external pre-lithiation processes. The material serves its own function of maintaining lithium ion balance without requiring additional manufacturing steps or materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical structure parameter of the positive active material by creating a controlled cracked structure. This structural modification enables the material to release lithium ions on demand, fundamentally altering how the material contributes to cycle performance without changing the manufacturing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If pre-lithiation technology is used to improve cycle performance, then capacity retention is improved, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle performanceVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positive active material autonomously provides lithium ions through its cracked structure to maintain the SEI membrane integrity. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external pre-lithiation agents that could pose safety risks, as the lithium ions are released in a controlled manner from within the material structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the typically harmful effect of SEI membrane lithium ion consumption (which degrades cycle performance) into a beneficial self-regulating system. The cracked structure allows controlled lithium ion release that正好 compensates for SEI formation, turning a degradation mechanism into a self-healing feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional methods are used to optimize cycle performance, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but capacity retention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcapacity retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical structure parameter of the positive active material by creating a controlled cracked structure with specific morphology. This structural change enables the material to release lithium ions, fundamentally improving capacity retention while maintaining compatibility with conventional manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The positive electrode comprises a composite structure where the cracked positive active material works synergistically with the binder and conductive agents. This composite approach allows the cracked structure to provide lithium ions while the other components maintain structural integrity and electrical conductivity, achieving improved performance without complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite 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 proposed solution improves the cycle performance and capacity retention of lithium-ion batteries by balancing initial efficiency with long-term durability, reducing operating costs and enhancing energy storage device service life.

Implementation Method 1

a first positive active material with a cracked structure... capable of extracting lithium ions to replenish a solid electrolyte interphase membrane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLithium ion extraction: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4579794A1Positive electrode sheet, secondary battery, battery pack and electrical equipment
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HITHIUM TECH HK LTD
  • EP4579794A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4579794A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4579794A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present application provides a positive electrode sheet, a secondary battery, a battery pack and an electricity-consumption equipment. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive current collector. At least one surface of the positive current collector is provided with a positive active material layer. In any 25µm×25µm region of a cross section of the positive active material layer, a percentage of an area of a first positive active material with a cracked structure to a total area of the region is a %, 5≤a≤20.