Materials for use in batteries and methods of manufacturing the same, and batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, face challenges in achieving high energy density due to the volume expansion and deterioration of the electrode structure during lithiation, leading to low Coulombic efficiency and unsatisfactory performance, with existing solutions using inert metals being costly and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A battery material comprising an active material with metal atoms that form a complex with oxygen atoms on the surface, inactivating them through covalent or coordinate bonds, thereby improving Coulombic efficiency by preventing lithium capture and forming amorphous or polycrystalline oxides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If silicon is used as anode material to increase energy density, then storage capacity is improved, but Coulombic efficiency deteriorates due to volume expansion and electrode structure fracture
Solution Approach 1:
Alkaline earth metal atoms (Ca, Sr, Ba) are introduced as intermediary elements that preferentially bind with oxygen atoms on the silicon surface. This intermediary binding prevents direct interaction between oxygen and lithium ions, thereby maintaining high Coulombic efficiency while preserving the high storage capacity of silicon anode material
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter by incorporating alkaline earth metals at specific concentrations (0.1-5 wt%). This parameter change modifies the surface chemistry of silicon to reduce oxygen-related lithium capture, thereby improving Coulombic efficiency without sacrificing storage capacity
2Reliability
If inert metals (silver, copper, nickel, iron, cobalt) are used to reduce silicon oxide, then Coulombic efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive inert metals with much cheaper alkaline earth metals (Ca, Sr, Ba) that can be obtained at low cost. These metals effectively perform the same function of reducing silicon oxide and improving Coulombic efficiency, making large-scale production economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material selection parameter from traditional inert metals to alkaline earth metals, achieving the same functional effect (improving Coulombic efficiency by 2-5%) at a fraction of the cost, thereby enabling commercialization
3Reliability
If zirconium is added to elemental silicon to improve Coulombic efficiency, then some improvement is achieved, but the effect is insufficient with only 2% improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the additive element from zirconium to alkaline earth metals (Ca, Sr, Ba), which have stronger affinity for oxygen. This parameter change results in significantly improved Coulombic efficiency (2-5% improvement) compared to zirconium addition (only 2% improvement)
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite anode material combining silicon with alkaline earth metals. This composite structure leverages the high storage capacity of silicon and the oxygen-binding capability of alkaline earth metals, achieving synergistic improvement in Coulombic efficiency that exceeds the effect of zirconium addition
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 material significantly enhances Coulombic efficiency by reducing lithium capture by oxygen, improving the stability and electrochemical performance of the anode, allowing for higher energy storage capacity.
Implementation Method 1
inactivating them through covalent or coordinate bonds
Implementation Method 2
inactivating them through covalent or coordinate bonds
Implementation Method 3
one or more metal atoms configured to hold one or more oxygen atoms of the active material and to inactivate one or more oxygen atoms
Implementation Method 4
During charging, lithium ions migrate from the cathode to the anode. During discharging, some of the lithium ions return to the cathode
Implementation Method 5
the formation of a lithium-silicon alloy by lithium and silicon results in a volume expansion of up to 400%
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a material for use in a battery, a method of manufacturing the material, and a battery. The material comprises: an active material configured to undergo a chemical reaction during charging and/or discharging of the battery; and one or more metal atoms configured to hold one or more oxygen atoms of the active material and to inactivate one or more oxygen atoms of the active material during charging and/or discharging of the battery. The material enables the anode of the battery to have higher Coulombic efficiency.