Silver Oxide Cathode Active Material for Low-Impedance Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cathode active materials in batteries suffer from elevated impedance and internal ion resistance, which hinder battery performance and worsen with charge cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method of producing cathode active material by using a silver compound with a +1 oxidation state, mixing it with a solvent, and oxidizing it with ozone to generate a silver oxide with an oxidation state of +2 or more and ionic conductivity of less than 10 microOhms, which is then optionally dried, purified, or doped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cathode active materials are used, then battery structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but impedance is elevated and internal ion resistance increases, worsening battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cathode active material by incorporating silver oxide (Ag2O) in combination with manganese dioxide (MnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO). This compositional parameter change reduces impedance and internal ion resistance, directly improving battery performance and reliability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cathode active material consisting of silver oxide, manganese dioxide, and zinc oxide. This composite structure combines the beneficial properties of each component: Ag2O provides low impedance and high ionic conductivity, MnO2 provides cathode activity, and ZnO stabilizes the structure. The composite material resolves the contradiction by achieving low resistance without sacrificing structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If traditional cathode materials are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but ionic conductivity is insufficient, limiting battery discharge performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the ionic conductivity parameter by introducing silver oxide into the cathode composition. Silver oxide inherently possesses high ionic conductivity, which directly enhances the battery's discharge performance and productivity without complicating the manufacturing process. The specific parameter change in composition leads to improved ion transport efficiency.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cathode materials are used, then manufacturing cost is low, but impedance increases with charge cycles, reducing cycle life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating zinc oxide into the cathode active material composition. Zinc oxide acts as a stabilizing agent that prevents the accumulation of impedance during charge cycles. This preventive measure is built into the material structure from the beginning, cushioning against the harmful effect of impedance increase and extending the battery's cycle life without increasing manufacturing complexity.
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 resulting silver oxide improves battery performance by reducing impedance and enhancing ionic conductivity, leading to better discharge characteristics and extended cycle life.
Implementation Method 1
oxidizing the silver of the silver compound with ozone to generate a silver oxide wherein the silver of the silver oxide has an oxidation state of +2 or more
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and electrochemical cells using these cathodes. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes.