b-science.net
FAQ ☰ Use Cases Blog About Us Register Log In


Triweekly Patent Update – 2024-11-12 – Free Version

  • Lithium-ion batteries – electrolytes – solid & semi-solid

  • COATINGS, BATTERIES, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Applicant: CORNING / WO 2024211210 A2

    A Li6.5La3Zr1.4Ta0.5O12 (LLZTO) film obtained through sintering of a green sheet (pressed LLZTO powder, 1,230°C, 1 h) was coated with lithium fluoride through reaction with LiBF4 in aqueous solution.
    The schematic cross-sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) image shown in the Figure below reveals well-defined granules 1003 that form the solid electrolyte layer 1001, with a lithium fluoride coating 1005 deposited on the surface. The coating exhibits a thickness 1009 of ≈200 nm across the garnet granule interfaces. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirms that the coating comprises 37 atom% fluorine.
    In half-cell tests with NMC523-based positive electrodes and lithium metal negative electrodes (1 mAh/cm2 nominal capacity), cells were cycled starting at 1 C, increasing the charging rate by 2 C every 10 cycles while maintaining 1 C discharge. The coated electrolyte cells exhibit normal charging curves up to 5 C, with some irregularity during discharging upon 7 C charge, followed by a short circuit during subsequent charging. Comparative cells without coating exhibit irregularities during discharge upon charging at 3 C, followed by short circuit during charging at 3 C.

    Patent Image, Corning

    This work illustrates how a lithium fluoride interface layer with ≈200 nm thickness substantially reduces the propensity towards short circuit formation (caused by lithium dendrites) in cells with sintered garnet oxide electrolyte films.
    It will be interesting to see if further optimization enables the employment of comparably thin oxide electrolyte layers sintered for a comparably short time and at a comparably low temperature to optimize costs and energy density.
    Such films might exhibit porosity prone to lithium dendrite penetration in the absence of a post-treatment / coating, but the right post-treatment process could allow for filling such porosity alongside with the formation of a coating layer and suppress lithium dendrite formation even at high charging rates.

  • The premium version includes another two patent discussions, plus an Excel list with 50-100 commercially relevant recent patent families.

  • Lithium-ion batteries – negative electrode (excluding Li metal electrodes)

  • CARBON-SILICON/CARBON COMPOSITE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME
    Applicant: HANWHA SOLUTIONS / PUKYONG NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION / WO 2024214910 A1

    A porous carbon support with controlled mesopore characteristics was synthesized from petroleum residual oil (YNCC, HTC PFO) through multi-step processing (up to 450°C). This carbon support exhibits a BET surface area of 705 m2/g.
    The powder underwent chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with monosilane gas (475°C, 120 h). The resulting Si-carbon composite exhibits an average particle size of 8.9 μm and a BET specific surface area of 10.4 m2/g.
    The effect of the heat treatment temperature was investigated by processing the silicon-carbon composite under ethylene atmosphere to form a carbon layer at either 900°C or 700°C for 30 min. The material treated at 900°C exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 1,055 mAh/g, 88.1% first cycle efficiency and a capacity retention of 96.3% over 50 cycles (0.1 C charge / discharge), compared to 2,276 mAh/g, 92.0% and 76.5% for the material treated at 700°C, respectively.
    Temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction analysis (Figure) revealed the phase evolution and formation of SiC (silicon carbide). At temperatures between 600-1000°C, distinct peaks corresponding to Si, SiO2, and SiC phases were observed. The intensity mapping illustrates that SiC formation becomes prominent above 850°C.


    Patent Image, HANWHA SOLUTIONS / PUKYONG NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION

    This work illustrates the importance of optimizing heat-treatment conditions in Si-carbon composite active materials to obtain well-rounded performance characteristics in terms of discharge capacity, 1st cycle irreversible losses and cycling stability suitable for the targeted application and electrolyte.

  • The premium version includes another two patent discussions, plus an Excel list with 50-100 commercially relevant recent patent families.

  • Lithium-ion batteries – positive electrode

  • Positive electrode active material and preparation method thereof, positive electrode sheet, battery and electrical equipment
    Applicant: BYD / CN 118811783 A

    Manganese acetate was dispersed in deionized water, followed by addition of ascorbic acid. After dispersing, ferrous sulfate was added. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate was dissolved in deionized water and added to the mixture. Lithium hydroxide was dissolved in deionized water and slowly added. The mixture was ultrasonicated (0.5 h), followed by stirring (2.5 h).
    The mixture underwent hydrothermal reaction (180°C, 12 h) and centrifugation.
    The precursor was calcined (550°C, 4 h, nitrogen) to obtain a positive electrode active material consisting of LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 particles with a carbon coating. The material exhibits a sea urchin-like morphology with ordered rod-like structures, as shown in the Figure.
    The material exhibits a BET specific surface area of 27.6 m2/g and a carbon content of 3.2 mass%.
    In half-cells, the material exhibits a discharge capacity of 163.7 mAh/g, a first cycle efficiency of 95.6%, and a capacity retention after 50 cycles of 96.6% (0.1 C charge / discharge, 2.5-4.5 V vs. Li+/Li).

    Patent Image, BYD

    This work illustrates promising performance for a Mn-rich, carbon-coated LMFP material (Mn / Fe ratio = 8 : 2) with agglomerated rod-like nanostructures prepared using a hydrothermal reaction.

  • The premium version includes another two patent discussions, plus an Excel list with 50-100 commercially relevant recent patent families.

  • Fuel cells (PEMFC / SOFC / PAFC / AEMFC) – electrochemically active materials

  • Reaction barrier ceria electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cell
    Applicant: KCERACELL / KR 20240149618 A

    A gadolinium and zinc co-doped ceria material was developed as a reaction prevention layer between LSCF (Sr & Co doped LaFeO3) air electrodes and zirconia-based electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Without such a protective layer, LSCF would react with zirconia to form insulating SrZrO3 at the interface.
    The composition Gd0.14Zn0.01Ce0.85O1.925 was found to be optimal within the broader range studied (see Figure).
    The material was synthesized by mixing gadolinium acetate, cerium hydroxide and zinc nitrate in ethanol using 5 mm zirconia balls (150 rpm, 24 h). The resulting slurry was dried (75°C) and uniaxially pressed into 40×40×3 mm plates, followed by sintering in two steps (1,200°C, 30 min, then 1,100°C, 2 h, air atmosphere).
    The resulting plate exhibits ionic conductivities of 4.71 × 10-2 S/cm at 800°C and 3.32 × 10-2 S/cm at 750°C, along with flexural strength values of approximately 50 MPa - about 25 times higher than undoped samples.

    Patent Image, KCERACELL

    This work illustrates how Zn / Gd-doping of ceria enables improved ionic conductivity and mechanical characteristics in an SOFC interface layer between the air electrode and the electrolyte.

  • The premium version includes another two patent discussions, plus an Excel list with 50-100 commercially relevant recent patent families.

  • Triweekly patent lists for other categories (Excel files are included for premium users)

  • - Lithium metal containing batteries (excluding Li-S, Li-Air): XLSX
  • - Lithium-ion batteries – electrolytes – liquid: XLSX
  • - Lithium-ion batteries – separators: XLSX
  • - Lithium-sulfur batteries: XLSX
  • - Metal-air batteries: XLSX
  • - Na-ion batteries: XLSX

  • Prior patent updates

  • 2024-10-22
  • 2024-10-01
  • 2024-09-10
  • 2024-08-20
  • 2024-07-30