Ternary Precursor Particles Internal Structure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing ternary precursor particles for lithium-ion batteries struggle to control internal structures, which affects the electrochemical properties of the ternary material, making them unsuitable for on-board battery applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a first mixed solution with nickel, cobalt, and manganese sources, followed by reaction with an alkaline solution and complexing agents in reactors to generate crystal seeds, which are then grown into ternary precursor particles with controlled morphology and porosity, allowing for the production of high-performance ternary materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current manufacturing methods are used for ternary precursor particles, then the production process is simple, but the internal structure control is poor and electrochemical properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is divided into multiple stages: first forming crystal seeds with controlled morphology, then growing the precursor particles around these seeds. This segmentation allows independent optimization of nucleation and growth phases, achieving precise internal structure control while managing process complexity through modular operation
Solution Approach 2:
Crystal seeds are prepared in advance with specific morphologies (spherical, polyhedral, or irregular shapes) and controlled size distributions before the precursor particles are grown around them. This preliminary action establishes the internal structure framework that directs subsequent particle formation, enabling better structural control without overwhelming process complexity
2Reliability
If ternary precursor particles are made with controlled morphology and porosity, then electrochemical properties improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precursor particles are designed with heterogeneous internal structures featuring different porosity levels in different regions. The crystal seeds provide a structured core with specific morphology, while the grown precursor material develops porous shells or layered structures. This local quality variation optimizes electrochemical performance by creating favorable pathways for ion transport and stress distribution without requiring complete process redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The precursor particles are intentionally designed with controlled porosity through the growth process around crystal seeds. The porous structure provides increased surface area for reactions, improved electrolyte penetration, and stress relief during cycling. This porous architecture is achieved through controlled precipitation and growth conditions rather than complex post-processing, enhancing reliability while managing 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 method enables the production of ternary precursor particles with controlled morphology and particle size distribution, resulting in ternary materials with superior electrochemical properties, such as high capacity retention and excellent cycling performance, suitable for vehicle power batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a first mixed solution is formed by dissolving a nickel source, a cobalt source, and a manganese source in deionized water... the first mixed solution reacts with hydroxide ions in the first reactor to generate crystal seeds
Implementation Method 2
a first complexing agent is added into the first reactor... the crystal seeds, a second complexing agent, a second mixed solution, and a second alkaline solution are added into a second reactor in the order written to react and form a slurry having sediments
Data Source
AI summary
Ternary precursor particles used for a lithium-ion battery, the ternary precursor particles having a NixCoyMnz(OH)2, wherein, x+y+z=1, 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z<1; each ternary precursor particle is a spheroidal structure, and comprises a shell, a transition layer and a particle core; the shell is a dense structure, the particle core is a porous structure, a density of the shell is greater than a density of the particle core, the transition layer surrounds the particle core and is sandwiched between the shell and the particle core; each ternary precursor particle is a mixture formed by mixing the nickel hydroxide, the cobalt hydroxide and the manganese hydroxide at the atomic level; a crystallinity of the shell is greater than a crystallinity of the transition layer, and the crystallinity of the transition layer is greater than a crystallinity of the particle core.