Sodium Ion Battery Cathode Material Composition Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sodium ion batteries face challenges with poor actual capacity and cycle performance due to the limitations of existing positive active materials, hindering their commercialization, and are prone to irreversible chemical reactions that lead to capacity loss and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A positive electrode active material with a specific chemical composition and water content is developed, enhancing ionic and electronic conductivity, inhibiting the formation of sodium hydroxide and carbonate layers, and improving stability, thereby reducing side reactions and increasing capacity retention and safety performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing positive active materials are used in sodium ion batteries, then the battery can operate, but the actual capacity and cycle performance are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle performanceVSAvoidactual capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the positive active material by introducing specific dopants (Mg, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) at controlled concentrations (0.01-0.10 mol ratio) to optimize both capacity and cycle performance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by combining layered oxide base materials with multiple dopant elements, forming a composite structure that leverages the benefits of each component to achieve both high capacity and long cycle life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If positive active materials are used without controlled water content, then material preparation is simpler, but irreversible chemical reactions occur forming sodium hydroxide and carbonate layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial preparation simplicityVSAvoidcapacity retention rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary water content control during the material synthesis process, maintaining water content at 50-200 ppm before battery assembly to prevent subsequent formation of inactive sodium hydroxide and carbonate layers that would reduce capacity retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by strictly controlling water content in the positive active material, preventing irreversible chemical reactions with moisture that would form harmful sodium hydroxide and carbonate layers on the material surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If positive active materials have high reactivity, then charging/discharging capacity elaboration is improved, but interface side reactions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging/discharging capacity elaborationVSAvoidinterface side reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters by introducing dopants at precise concentrations that enhance ionic conductivity and charging/discharging capacity while simultaneously suppressing interface side reactions through stabilized surface chemistry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If sodium ion diffusion is not hindered, then electrochemical performance is good, but sodium hydroxide and carbonate layers form on particle surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrochemical performanceVSAvoidsodium hydroxide and carbonate layer formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an inert environment by controlling water content to 50-200 ppm, preventing the formation of harmful sodium hydroxide and carbonate layers that would otherwise form through irreversible reactions with moisture, thereby maintaining good electrochemical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 improved positive electrode active material results in higher charging/discharging capacity, cycle performance, and safety performance for sodium ion batteries by reducing irreversible reactions and hindrances to ion and electron diffusion, leading to enhanced electrochemical and safety performance.

Implementation Method 1

Sodium ion batteries can realize charging and discharging by a sodium ion intercalation-deintercalation process between positive and negative electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntercalation-deintercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the positive electrode active material has relatively high ionic and electronic conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

it effectively inhibits the formation of sodium hydroxide layer without electrochemical activity due to irreversible chemical reactions on the surface of particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical stability:

Data Source

PatentEP3907793B1Positive electrode active material and its preparation method, sodium ion battery and apparatus containing the sodium ion battery
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP3907793B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3907793B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3907793B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present application discloses a positive electrode active material and its preparation method, a sodium ion battery and an apparatus containing the sodium ion battery. The positive electrode active material satisfies a chemical formula of Na1-xCuhFekMnlMmO2-y wherein M is one or more selected from Li, Be, B, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Co,Ni, Zn, Ga, Sr, Y,Nb, Mo, In,Sn, and Ba, 0 < x ≤ 0.33, 0 < h ≤ 0.24, 0 ≤ k ≤ 0.32, 0 < l ≤ 0.68, 0 ≤ m < 0.1, h+k+l+m = 1, 0 ≤ y < 0.2, and the positive electrode active material has a water content of 6000 ppm or less.