Silane-Coated Titanium Oxide Negative Electrode for Aqueous Battery Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonaqueous lithium secondary batteries face safety concerns due to flammable organic solvents and high internal resistance, which increase production costs and defect rates in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems, while aqueous solutions suffer from low energy density and electrolysis issues.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design featuring a positive electrode, a negative electrode with titanium oxide particles partially coated with an alkyl-based silane compound, and an aqueous electrolyte, where the intensity ratio of specific infrared absorption peaks is within a range of 4 to 10, inhibiting water electrolysis and enhancing charge and discharge characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an organic solvent electrolyte solution is used to achieve high electromotive force and energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the electrolyte from organic solvent to aqueous solution, fundamentally altering the chemical composition to eliminate flammability while managing the associated challenges through additional modifications to electrode materials and surface treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water electrolysis into a beneficial outcome by using it to form protective films on electrode surfaces, particularly the negative electrode, which then prevent further electrolysis and enable stable battery operation with aqueous electrolyte
2Reliability
If an aqueous electrolyte solution is used to improve safety, then the safety is improved, but the energy density deteriorates due to low electromotive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite electrode structures combining multiple materials (lithium manganese oxide with protective coatings, titanium oxide with surface treatment) to achieve both the electrochemical stability needed for aqueous electrolyte compatibility and the voltage characteristics required for high energy density
3Use of energy by moving object
If lithium titanium oxide is used as negative electrode material with aqueous electrolyte to achieve high electromotive force, then the energy density is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to electrolysis and hydrogen generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surface treatment layers on the titanium oxide negative electrode that act as intermediaries between the aqueous electrolyte and the lithium titanium oxide, preventing direct electrolysis reactions while allowing lithium ion insertion and extraction to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary surface treatment to the negative electrode material before battery assembly, creating protective films that preemptively prevent electrolysis and hydrogen generation during subsequent battery cycling operations
4Reliability
If a dry environment is maintained during production to prevent electrolysis, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the battery system to self-protect against electrolysis through internally formed protective films on electrode surfaces, eliminating the need for external dry environment controls during production and operation
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 battery exhibits improved charge and discharge efficiency, cycle life, and reduced electrolysis, achieving a balance between water repellency and electrolyte affinity, thus addressing safety and cost concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The surfaces of the titanium oxide particles are partially covered with an alkyl-based silane compound... achieving a balance between water repellency and electrolyte affinity
Implementation Method 2
The ratio IB/IA of the intensity IB of the second peak PB to the intensity IA of the first peak PA is within a range of 4 to 10. The first peak PA is a maximum peak present within a range of 3200 cm−1 to 3600 cm−1 in an infrared absorption spectrum... The second peak PB is a maximum peak present within a range of 565 cm−1 to 570 cm−1
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous electrolyte... enhancing charge and discharge characteristics
Implementation Method 4
inhibiting water electrolysis and enhancing charge and discharge characteristics... reduced electrolysis
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode including titanium oxide particles, and an aqueous electrolyte. The surfaces of the titanium oxide particles are partially covered with an alkyl-based silane compound. The ratio IB/IA of the intensity IB of the second peak PB to the intensity IA of the first peak PA is within a range of 4 to 10. The first peak PA is a maximum peak present within a range of 3200 cm−1 to 3600 cm−1 in an infrared absorption spectrum of the titanium oxide particles. The second peak PB is a maximum peak present within a range of 565 cm−1 to 570 cm−1 in the infrared absorption spectrum of the titanium oxide particles.