SnO2 Nanoparticle Cathode with Carbon Coating for Li-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium ion battery cathode compositions face challenges in achieving a balance between low manufacturing cost and good capacity retention after repeated charge-discharge cycling, with existing materials like cobalt dioxide and nickel dioxide not providing an optimal combination.
Innovation Solution
A cathode composition for lithium ion batteries is developed using nanoparticles such as SnO2 coated with a carbon and oxygen-based material, forming a network that enhances lithium-ion-storage capacity and conductivity, with a specific mass percent range of 65-70% for the coating material to ensure optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cobalt dioxide or nickel dioxide is used as cathode material, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but capacity retention after repeated charge-discharge cycling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of metal oxide nanoparticles (such as SnO2, Fe2O3, CoO, CuO, or NiO2) coated with a carbon-containing material. This composite structure combines the low cost and high theoretical capacity of metal oxides with the structural stability and conductivity of carbon materials, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and capacity retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon-containing material forms a coating layer or shell around the metal oxide nanoparticles. This thin film structure provides mechanical flexibility and structural stability during lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation, preventing the metal oxide core from suffering structural strain while maintaining electrical conductivity and low cost.
2Quantity of substance
If metal oxide nanoparticles are used to increase lithium-ion-storage capacity, then discharging capacity is improved, but structural strain during intercalation and de-intercalation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon-containing material forms a flexible coating shell around the metal oxide nanoparticles. This shell accommodates the structural strain that occurs during lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation, protecting the metal oxide core from degradation while maintaining high lithium-ion-storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of metal oxide core and carbon shell combines the high capacity of metal oxides with the structural stability of carbon materials. The carbon shell acts as a buffer that reduces structural strain during charge-discharge cycling, allowing the metal oxide to maintain its high lithium-ion-storage capacity without suffering from structural degradation.
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 cathode composition improves discharging capacity and charge/discharge cycle stability by reducing structural strain during lithium ion intercalation and de-intercalation, while maintaining a lower manufacturing cost.
Implementation Method 1
a material coating outer surfaces of the nanoparticles. The coating material includes carbon and oxygen. The coating material coats over all the outer surfaces of the nanoparticles and forms a net.
Implementation Method 2
The nanoparticles may be of a material having a capability of intercalating Li. The cathode composition improves discharging capacity and charge/discharge cycle stability by reducing structural strain during lithium ion intercalation and de-intercalation
Data Source
AI summary
A cathode composition of lithium ion battery includes a number of nanoparticles and coating material coating outer surfaces of the nanoparticles.