Rubeanic Acid Oxamide Electrode Active Material for High Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary batteries face limitations in achieving high energy density, high output, and stable cycle characteristics due to restricted charge-discharge rates and instability in multi-electron reactions, particularly with organic radical compounds, disulfide compounds, and rubeanic acid-based electrodes.
Innovation Solution
An electrode active material is developed comprising a mixture of an organic compound with a rubeanic acid structure and oxamide, which is produced through heat-treating the organic compound, enhancing the stability and efficiency of charge-discharge reactions and cycle characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium ion secondary battery uses transition metal oxide as positive electrode active material, then high energy density is achieved, but charge-discharge rate is restricted due to slow lithium ion movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental reaction mechanism from lithium ion insertion/detachment (solid-state diffusion) to oxidation-reduction reactions involving unpaired electrons (electron transfer). This parameter change in the reaction type enables rapid charging/discharging while maintaining high energy density through multi-electron transfer processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical diffusion process of lithium ions moving through the transition metal oxide lattice with an electronic process where unpaired electrons in radical compounds directly participate in oxidation-reduction reactions. This substitution eliminates the rate-limiting step of ion diffusion while preserving energy storage capability.
2Quantity of substance
If organic radical compound is used as electrode active material to increase reaction site concentration, then high capacity is achieved, but cycle stability deteriorates due to multi-electron reaction instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of multiple radical compounds with different numbers of unpaired electrons (e.g., compounds with 1, 2, or 3 unpaired electrons). This composite structure enables multi-electron transfer reactions while distributing the electrochemical stress across different components, thereby improving cycle stability while maintaining high reaction site concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multi-electron transfer process into multiple independent one-electron or two-electron transfer steps, each handled by different radical compound components. This segmentation allows each component to undergo simpler, more stable reactions while the collective system achieves high capacity through cumulative electron transfer.
3Productivity
If charge-discharge rate is increased to reduce charging time, then productivity is improved, but cycle life deteriorates due to accelerated degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow solid-state diffusion mechanism with rapid electron transfer reactions in radical compounds. This substitution inherently enables fast charging without the mechanical stress and structural degradation that limit cycle life in conventional lithium ion batteries, as electron transfer does not require large-scale ion migration through the electrode lattice.
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 electrode active material achieves high energy density, rapid charging, high output, and excellent cycle stability with minimal capacity deterioration, even after repeated charge-discharge cycles, while maintaining low environmental impact and safety.
Implementation Method 1
oxamide, which is produced through heat-treating the organic compound
Implementation Method 2
since radicals have a large reaction rate, it is considered that charging can be completed in a short time by charge and discharge with the use of an oxidation-reduction reaction of stable radicals
Implementation Method 3
the electrode reaction in the battery is a reaction which occurs associated with giving and receiving of electrons by applying a voltage to an electrode active material
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An electrode active material has,as the main component, a mixture of an organic compound containing a rubeanic acid indicated by the following general formula in the structural unit and oxamide. In the formula, n indicates an integer between 1 and 20, and R1 - R4 indicate hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, or a prescribed substituent group such as a hydroxide group, a 1-3C alkyl group, an amino group, a phenyl group, a cyclohexyl group, or a sulfo group. A positive electrode (4) contains this electrode active material. As a result, the electrode active material, an electrode, and a secondary battery are achieved that have high energy density, high output, and excellent cycle characteristics whereby there is small deterioration in capacity even in repeating charging and discharging.