Titanium-Based Anode Innovations for EV Batteries
24 patents in this list
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Titanium-based anodes are reshaping the landscape of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, promising enhanced safety and longevity. These anodes, particularly those using lithium titanate oxide, offer faster charging and increased cycle life. However, achieving optimal performance requires overcoming challenges like structural stability and energy density limitations, which are critical for EV applications.
Professionals in the field grapple with issues such as maintaining lattice integrity and preventing dendrite formation. The balance between high power output and material stability is delicate, often requiring sophisticated synthesis and treatment methods. Addressing these challenges is crucial for making EV batteries more reliable and efficient.
This page explores various patents and research findings that present innovative approaches to these challenges. Techniques such as aqueous stirring, heat treatment, and calcination are employed to enhance the structural properties of titanium-based anodes. These solutions aim to improve performance by maintaining stability and efficiency, ultimately contributing to the advancement of EV battery technology.
1. Lithium Titanate Oxide Anode Material Synthesized via Aqueous Stirring and Heat Treatment Method
DONG WOO TMC CO KTD, KIM DONG HYUN, 2023
Lithium titanate oxide (LTO) as a high capacity and long life anode material for lithium-ion batteries used in energy storage systems. The LTO is produced by a simple and scalable method involving stirring titanium dioxide (TiO2) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) in water, heat treating, filtering, washing, and drying the precipitate. The resulting LTO has higher capacity than conventional LTO and good cycling performance.
2. Lithium Ion Battery Anodes with Conformal Shell Structure via Lithium Leaching for Electrolyte Isolation
General Motors Global Technology Operations LLC, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2022
Reducing gas generation in lithium ion batteries with lithium titanate anodes by forming a conformal layer on the anode cores to sequester lithium and prevent electrolyte reduction reactions. The layer is created by leaching lithium from the anode precursor, starting at the surface and penetrating deeper with time. This forms a shell structure around each anode core with low or zero lithium concentration. This layer isolates the anode from direct contact with the electrolyte, preventing electrolyte reduction reactions that generate gas.
3. Lithium Titanium Oxide Anode with Stabilized Lattice Defects Induced by Calcination and Cold Quenching
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY, UNIV GRIFFITH, 2021
Defected lithium titanium oxide (LTO) anode material for lithium-ion batteries with improved performance by introducing stabilized defects in the LTO lattice. The defects are created by calcining the LTO and then cold quenching it in a coolant medium. The defects include oxygen vacancies, Ti3+ active sites, subsurface lattice tears, and surface disorder layers. These defects optimize the electronic structure of LTO and change the lithium intercalation behavior to improve kinetics.
4. Composite Positive Electrode Active Material with Spinel-Type Lithium Titanate Coating
TOYOTA MOTOR CORP, 2020
A composite positive electrode active material for all-solid-state batteries with reduced internal resistance compared to conventional composites. The composite has a coating layer on the positive electrode active material that contains spinel-type lithium titanate with composition xTi5O12-yIt, where x > 4 and y < 12. This coating provides higher electron conductivity compared to traditional lithium ion conductive oxides. It reduces interfacial resistance between the electrode and solid electrolyte, lowering overall battery internal resistance. The coating composition range prevents formation of reaction phases at the interface that increase resistance.
5. Solid-State Battery Anode Comprising Reduced Lithium Titanate without Conductive Additives
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, 2019
Solid-state battery with improved performance and simplified manufacturing by using reduced lithium titanate (LTO) anodes without electronic conductive additives like carbon or metals. The reduced LTO is made by processing the original LTO at high temperatures in a reducing atmosphere. This reduces oxygen defects in the LTO, improving electronic conductivity. The reduced LTO mixed with solid electrolyte particles forms the anode without needing additional conductive additives. The simplified anode composition reduces complexity and potential incompatibility issues during manufacturing compared to conventional anodes with added carbon or metals.
6. Composite Negative Electrode Material of Titanium Oxide and Modified Niobium-Titanium Oxide for Lithium-Ion Batteries
CITIC Guoan Mengguli Power Technology Co., Ltd., 2019
High capacity lithium-ion battery negative electrode material for electric vehicles that addresses the low energy density limitation of titanium-based materials compared to graphite. The negative electrode uses a composite of titanium oxide (Li4Ti5O12) and a modified niobium-titanium oxide (TiNb1.98Zr0.02O7-0.1C) in specific ratios. This composition provides higher capacity and energy density compared to using just titanium oxide or niobium-titanium oxide alone. The composite has a specific capacity of 301 mAh/g compared to 165 mAh/g for pure titanium oxide. The synergistic effect of the two oxides improves performance compared to using either oxide alone.
7. Lithium Titanium Oxide Anode with Layered Nanotube Structure and Defined Interlayer Spacing
IFM CO LTD, KIM DONG HYUN, KIM DONG-HYUN, 2019
Lithium titanium oxide (LTO) anode material for lithium-ion batteries with improved capacity and cycle life for energy storage applications. The LTO has a unique nanotube structure with multiple layers separated by 0.5-1 nm interlayer spacing. This layered nanotube morphology provides enhanced lithium ion storage capacity compared to conventional LTO. The nanotube LTO is produced by a simple synthesis method involving stirring titanium dioxide and lithium hydroxide solutions, heat treating, separating, washing, and drying.
8. Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery with Ni-Co-Mn-W Lithium Transition Metal Oxide Positive Electrode and Group 5/6 Oxide-Coated Lithium Titanate Negative Electrode
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD, 2019
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with reduced gas generation and improved performance when cycled at high temperatures. The battery uses a positive electrode with a lithium transition metal oxide containing Ni, Co, Mn, and W, and a negative electrode with lithium titanate and a group 5 or 6 oxide. The combination suppresses gas generation compared to using just lithium titanate in the negative electrode, while the positive electrode with the transition metal oxide improves input-output characteristics. The group 5 or 6 oxide coating on the negative electrode surface prevents alkalization and gas formation.
9. Core-Shell Electrode Materials with Covalently Bonded Polymer Shell for Lithium-Ion Batteries
TOHOKU MURATA MANUFACTURING CO LTD, 2018
Core-shell electrode materials for reducing degradation in lithium-ion batteries. The materials have a core-shell structure where the core is a high capacity active material like lithium titanate and the shell is a polymer. The polymer is covalently bonded to the core particle surface, providing stability against mechanical and chemical damage compared to just physically absorbing the polymer. The core-shell particles are synthesized by coating a polymer onto the core particle surface followed by polymerization. Additional substituents can be grafted onto the polymer prior to coating to further enhance adhesion.
10. Lithium-Ion Battery with Secondary LTO Anode Particles Exceeding 2 Microns for Enhanced Performance
CITIBANK NA, 2016
High power lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles with improved discharge and charge power, cycle life, low temperature performance, and high temperature performance. The batteries use lithium titanate oxide (LTO) as the anode active material with secondary LTO particles having a size greater than 2 microns. The larger particles enable higher loading of the anode without performance degradation compared to primary particles. This allows higher energy and power density compared to conventional LTO batteries. The larger particles also improve low temperature performance and high temperature performance compared to primary particles. The thicker layer of secondary LTO particles also reduces impedance compared to thin layers of primary particles.
11. Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery with Lithium Titanate Layer and Fluorinated Carbonate Electrolyte
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2015
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with improved capacity retention for high voltage lithium-ion batteries. The battery has a lithium titanate-containing layer isolated from the negative electrode that captures metal dissolved from the positive electrode during charging at high voltages. This prevents the metal from precipitating on the negative electrode and causing capacity loss. The battery also uses a fluorinated carbonate electrolyte to inhibit oxidative decomposition at high voltages.
12. Lithium Secondary Battery with Sintered Lithium Titanate Negative Electrode Featuring Enhanced Active Material Filling Ratio
KYOCERA CORP, 2012
High capacity, high output lithium secondary battery with improved cycle performance. The battery uses a negative electrode made of a sintered lithium titanate material instead of the usual slurry-cast negative electrode. The sintered lithium titanate negative electrode has a higher active material filling ratio compared to the slurry-cast electrode as it eliminates the need for binders and conductive aids. This results in a higher energy density and specific capacity. The sintered lithium titanate negative electrode also has better cycling stability compared to slurry-cast lithium titanate due to reduced expansion during charge/discharge. The battery uses a lithium titanate sintered body made of lithium titanate with a specific crystal structure for the negative electrode.
13. Lithium Secondary Battery with Positive Electrode Comprising Li2M1Ti1-xM2xO4 Solid Solution
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2012
Lithium secondary battery with a positive electrode containing a specific solid solution of two oxides, Li2M1TiO4 and LiM2O2, that improves capacity and cycle life compared to using either oxide alone. The solid solution composition is Li2M1Ti1-xM2xO4, where x is 0.1-0.5. The solid solution forms a homogeneous phase with a stable crystal structure that enables better lithium ion diffusion.
14. Lithium-Ion Battery with Lithium-Titanium Composite Oxide Anode for Dendrite Mitigation
2012
Lithium-ion battery with improved reliability and reduced dendrite formation in the anode. The battery uses a lithium-titanium composite oxide in the anode instead of conventional layered oxides like LiCoO2. This composite oxide improves stability during overcharge and prevents excessive lithium ion diffusion. It also reduces lithium metal precipitation that can form dendrites. This improves the chemical stability of the anode and reduces issues like short circuits from dendrite growth.
15. Anode Material Comprising Lithium Titanate and Magnesium Compound with Integrated High-Temperature Stability and Rapid Charge-Discharge Capability
NIPPON CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, 2012
An anode material for lithium-ion batteries with improved high-temperature storage properties and rapid charging/discharging performance. The anode contains lithium titanate and a magnesium compound. The magnesium compound is incorporated into the lithium titanate during preparation. The anode has superior properties compared to lithium titanate alone. The magnesium compound improves stability at high temperatures and enables faster charging/discharging. The preparation involves mixing lithium titanate and magnesium compound in water, then heating to form the anode material.
16. Lithium-Ion Battery with Mixed Metal Oxide Cathode and Lithium Titanate Anode
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO, 2010
A lithium-ion battery with improved energy density, charge-discharge rates, and safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The battery uses a unique combination of cathode and anode materials. The cathode is a mixed metal oxide like Li[MnxNiyCoz]O2 with 0.40≤a≤1.20, 0≤x≤0.40, 0≤y≤0.40, 0.55≤z≤0.95, where x+y+z=1.0. The anode is lithium titanate nanoparticles (Li4Ti5O12). This combination provides higher energy density, lower irreversible capacity, and better thermal stability compared to conventional graphite anodes. The nanoscale cathode particles also improve surface area and charge-discharge rates.
17. Mixed Phase Lithium Titanate and Nonstoichiometric Titanium Oxide Active Material for Lithium Titanate Batteries
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, 2009
Active material for battery, manufacturing method, battery, and pack that overcome issues of gas generation and deformation when using carbon as a conductive agent in lithium titanate batteries. The active material is a mixed phase of lithium titanate and nonstoichiometric titanium oxide. The mixed phase forms during sintering of the lithium and titanium precursors. The nonstoichiometric titanium oxide provides conductivity without generating gas like carbon does. The mixed phase active material allows high current batteries without the carbon's issues.
18. Lithium Battery with Nanocrystalline Lithium Titanate Anodes and Lithium Manganese Oxide Cathodes
ALTAIRNANO INC, 2008
A lithium battery with enhanced performance, safety, and cycle life. The battery uses nanocrystalline lithium titanate anodes and nanocrystalline lithium manganese oxide cathodes with specific surface areas. Charging rates of 10C or higher are enabled. The battery can withstand high temperatures without bursting. It also avoids using lead, nickel, cadmium, or corrosive electrolytes. This battery design improves energy density, charge/discharge rates, cycle life, and safety compared to conventional lithium batteries.
19. Oxygen-Deficient Lithium Titanate Cathode with Reduced Ti Oxidation State
ENER1 INC, ENERDEL INC, ENERFUEL INC, 2007
Lithium titanate battery cathode material with improved electronic conductivity and power capacity. The lithium titanate composition is Li4Ti5O12-x (where x > 0) that is deficient in oxygen compared to stoichiometric Li4Ti5O12. This reduces the Ti4+ oxidation state, increasing electronic conductivity while maintaining reversible capacity. The oxygen deficiency is achieved by reducing the titanate during synthesis using gaseous reducing agents like methane or carbon monoxide. The reduced lithium titanate cathode material has higher electronic conductivity than stoichiometric Li4Ti5O12, allowing better cell performance and charge/discharge characteristics.
20. Lithium-Ion Batteries with Nano-Structured Spinel Anodes and Cathodes for Enhanced Surface Area
ALTAIRNANO INC, 2007
Lithium-ion batteries with improved performance for applications like electric vehicles, power tools, and backup power. The batteries have nano-structured anodes and cathodes with high surface areas. The anodes use Li4Ti5O12, LUTiO2, ITiO2, or LiUTiO2 spinels with BET surface areas of at least 10 m2/g. The cathodes use LiMn2O4, LiMn2CuO4, LiMnCrO4, or LiMn2Cu spinels with BET surface areas of at least 5 m2/g. These batteries can charge at rates of 10C or higher, discharge at 20C or higher, have cycle lives of 1000 or more, and calendar lives of 10-15 years. The nano-
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