Sodium Cathode Composition With Controlled Na Migration for Cycle Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sodium-ion secondary batteries face challenges in achieving both high initial capacity and long cycle stability due to the structural limitations and sodium content issues of P2-type and O3-type layered oxide particles.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode active material is developed by mixing P2-type and O3-type layered oxide particles, followed by sintering to induce sodium migration from the surface of O3-type particles to P2-type particles, while controlling the surface sodium content ratio to enhance structural stability and capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If O3-type layered oxide particles are used to increase energy density, then discharge capacity is improved, but cycle stability deteriorates due to greater structural changes during charge and discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge capacityVSAvoidcycle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines P2-type and O3-type layered oxide particles into a composite positive electrode active material. The P2-type particles provide structural stability during cycling, while the O3-type particles contribute high discharge capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between capacity and cycle stability through synergistic combination of the two phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If P2-type layered oxide particles are used to improve cycle stability, then lifespan characteristics are improved, but energy density decreases due to low sodium content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle stabilityVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure merges the advantages of both P2-type (structural stability) and O3-type (high sodium content and capacity) particles, allowing the electrode to achieve both excellent cycle stability and high energy density that neither phase can provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If O3-type oxide particles are washed with water to remove residual Na on the particle surface, then purity is improved, but all internal Na comes out and structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepurityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selectively removes only the harmful residual Na on the particle surface through water washing, while the composite P2-O3 structure prevents excessive Na loss from the internal lattice, thereby achieving purification without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If mixed particles of P2-type and O3-type are used to achieve high discharge capacity, then initial capacity is improved, but battery lifetime deteriorates due to sodium by-products on the particle surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial capacityVSAvoidbattery lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of residual Na on the surface into a beneficial process by controlling its removal through water washing. This eliminates sodium by-products that would otherwise cause electrolyte side reactions and gas generation, thereby extending battery lifetime while maintaining high initial capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 approach results in a positive electrode active material with improved initial capacity and cycle stability, reduced gas generation, and enhanced battery performance by effectively managing sodium distribution and maintaining the structural integrity of the particles.

Implementation Method 1

sintering to induce Na migration from the surface of the O3-type oxide particle to the surface of the P2-type oxide particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 2

induce Na migration from the surface of the O3-type oxide particle to the surface of the P2-type oxide particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4549397A1Positive electrode active material for sodium secondary battery, method of preparing the same, and sodium secondary battery including the same
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 ECOPRO BM CO LTD
  • EP4549397A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4549397A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4549397A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention provides a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, including P2-type layered oxide particles and O3-type layered oxide particles, wherein in SEM-EDS mapping analysis, an atomic ratio (S3/S2) of a surface Na content (at%) (S3) of the O3-type layered oxide particles to a surface Na content (at%) (S2) of the P2-type layered oxide particles is 0.4 to 1.6.