Patent Application
20230307695
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0036820, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 24, 2022, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery, a method of preparing the same, and an all-solid-state battery including the same.
Portable information devices (such as a cell phones, laptops, smart phones, and/or the like) and/or electric vehicles have utilized rechargeable lithium batteries having high energy densities and easy portability as driving power sources. Recently, research has been actively conducted to utilize rechargeable lithium batteries with high energy densities as driving power sources or power storage power sources for hybrid or electric vehicles.
All-solid-state batteries among rechargeable lithium batteries refers to batteries in which all materials are solid, and in particular, refer to batteries utilizing a solid electrolyte. All-solid-state batteries may be safer than other rechargeable batteries with no or a decreased risk of explosion due to leakage of the electrolyte and may also be easily prepared into a thin battery.
Recently, one or more suitable positive electrode active materials that may be applied to all-solid-state batteries are being studied. Lithium nickel oxide, lithium nickel manganese cobalt composite oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum composite oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, and/or the like, which have been utilized in the related art, are mainly being studied but are limited for realizing satisfactory performance in the all-solid-state batteries. Accordingly, developments of a new positive electrode active material and a new positive electrode composition are required to realize an all-solid-state battery securing long-term life-cycle characteristics as well as realizing high capacity and high energy density.
According to aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, in the preparation of an all-solid-state battery, pressure transfer is facilitated to minimize or reduce a space between the particle components in the positive electrode, and a solid electrolyte can effectively penetrate between the positive electrode active materials, thereby improving a contact property between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material and providing a positive electrode with improved connectivity between electrolytes, in addition, providing a positive electrode in which a volume change of the positive electrode active material due to repeated charging and discharging is minimized or reduced, and a phenomenon of separation of the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte is suppressed or reduced, and providing an all-solid-state battery having high energy density, high capacity, high efficiency, and excellent or suitable life-cycle characteristics.
Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery includes a positive electrode active material including a first positive electrode active material including a lithium nickel-based composite oxide and being in a form of secondary particles in which (e.g., in each of which or the secondary particles include a secondary particle in which) a plurality of primary particles are aggregated and at least a portion of the primary particles are radially arranged; a second positive electrode active material including a lithium nickel-based composite oxide and being in a form of single particles; a solid electrolyte; a conductive agent; and a binder.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of preparing a positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery includes mixing a first positive electrode active material precursor being in a form of secondary particles including a plurality of primary particles that are aggregated and including a nickel-based composite hydroxide, a second positive electrode active material being in a form of single particles and including a lithium nickel-based composite oxide, and a lithium raw material; performing a heat-treatment to prepare a positive electrode active material; mixing the positive electrode active material, a solid electrolyte, a conductive agent, and a binder to prepare a positive electrode active material composition; and applying the positive electrode active material composition on a positive electrode current collector and drying the same to obtain a positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an all-solid-state battery includes the aforementioned positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte layer between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
The all-solid battery is prepared by applying pressure after the electrode assembly is prepared. When the positive electrode according to one or more embodiments is applied, pressure transfer is facilitated to minimize or reduce a space between the particle components in the positive electrode, and a solid electrolyte may effectively penetrate between the positive electrode active materials, thereby improving a contact property between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material, and improving connectivity between the solid electrolyte. In one or more embodiments, in the positive electrode, the volume change of the positive electrode active material due to repetition of charging and discharging is minimized or reduced, so that a separation of the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte is suppressed or reduced. An all-solid-state battery to which such a positive electrode is applied has high energy density, high capacity, and high efficiency, and may exhibit excellent or suitable life-cycle characteristics.
Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described in more detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and is not construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described.
The terminology herein is used to describe embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, “combination thereof” means a mixture, laminate, composite, copolymer, alloy, blend, reaction product, and/or the like of the constituents.
Herein, it should be understood that terms such as “comprises,” “includes,” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of an embodied feature, number, step, element, or a combination thereof, but it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, step, elements, or a combination thereof.
In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout, and duplicative descriptions thereof may not be provided the specification. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “connected to” or “on” another element, it can be directly connected to or on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.
In addition, “layer” herein includes not only a shape formed on the whole surface when viewed from a plan view, but also a shape formed on a partial surface.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
In the present disclosure, when particles are spherical, “diameter” indicates a particle diameter or an average particle diameter, and when the particles are non-spherical, the “diameter” indicates a major axis length or an average major axis length. In addition, the average particle diameter and average size may be measured by a method well known to those skilled in the art, for example, may be measured by a particle size analyzer, or may be measured by a transmission electron micrograph or a scanning electron micrograph. For example, HORIBA, LA-950 laser particle size analyzer, may be utilized. Alternatively, it is possible to obtain an average particle diameter value by measuring the size using a dynamic light scattering method, performing data analysis, counting the number of particles for each particle size range, and calculating from this. When the size of the particles is measured utilizing a particle size analyzer or by microscopic image, the average particle diameter (or size) is referred to as D50. D50 refers to the average diameter (or size) of particles whose cumulative volume corresponds to 50 vol % in the particle size distribution (e.g., cumulative distribution), and refers to the value of the particle size corresponding to 50% from the smallest particle when the total number of particles is 100% in the distribution curve accumulated in the order of the smallest particle size to the largest particle size.
Here, “or” is not to be construed as an exclusive meaning, for example, “A or B” is construed to include A, B, A+B, and the like.
In one or more embodiments, a positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery includes a positive electrode active material; a solid electrolyte; a conductive agent; and a binder. For example, the positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery may include a current collector and a positive electrode active material layer on the current collector, wherein the positive electrode active material layer includes a positive electrode active material to be described in more detail later; a solid electrolyte; a conductive agent; and a binder.
The positive electrode for the all-solid-state battery may include, for example, about 55 wt % to about 99.7 wt % of a positive electrode active material; about 0.1 wt % to about 35 wt % of a solid electrolyte; about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of a conductive agent; and about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of a binder based on the total weight of the aforementioned components. For example, the positive electrode for the all-solid-state battery may include about 74 wt % to about 89.8 wt % of a positive electrode active material; about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of a solid electrolyte; about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt % of a conductive agent; and about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt % of a binder. When each component is included in such content (e.g., amount) ranges, the positive electrode for the all-solid-state battery may improve life-cycle characteristics while maximizing or increasing capacity, and further improve energy density, and initial charge/discharge efficiency.
A positive electrode active material according to one or more embodiments include a first positive electrode active material and a second positive electrode active material. The first positive electrode active material includes a lithium nickel-based composite oxide and is in the form of secondary particles in which (e.g., in each of which or the secondary particles include a secondary particle in which) a plurality of primary particles are aggregated and at least a portion of the primary particles are radially arranged. The second positive electrode active material includes a lithium nickel-based composite oxide and is in a form of single particles.
In the first positive electrode active material, the secondary particles may include (e.g., may each include) plate-shaped primary particles.
In
The thickness (t) of the primary particles may be smaller than the length (a) of the long axis and the length (b) of the short axis, which are lengths in the plane direction. The length (a) of the long axis among the lengths in the plane direction may be longer or the same as the length (b) of the short axis.
In the first positive electrode active material, at least a portion of the primary particles may be radially arranged, and for example, long axes of the primary particles may be arranged in a radial direction.
In this way, when at least a portion of the primary particles are radially arranged, because the secondary particles have lots of crystal planes, which transmit lithium to the outside, exposed onto the surface and pores, which serve as a lithium diffusion passage, also exposed onto the surface, lithium diffusion may be improved, securing high initial efficiency and high capacity. In other words, when the secondary particles include (e.g., each include) primary particles that are radially arranged, the crystal planes of the primary particles are exposed to the surface and can transmit lithium to the outside. These radially arranged primary particles plus the pores at the surface of the secondary particles that serve as a lithium diffusion pathway, help provide a high-capacity battery with an improved or high initial efficiency. In one or more embodiments, the pores exposed to the surface of the secondary particles are directed toward a center of the secondary particles, which further promotes lithium diffusion.
Due to the radially arranged primary particles, substantially uniform contraction and expansion of the positive electrode active material are possible when lithium is deintercalated and/or intercalated, and when lithium is deintercalated, more pores exist in the (001) direction, which is the direction in which the particles expand, so that they act as a buffer. Accordingly, probability of cracks occurring during contraction and expansion of the positive electrode active material is lowered, and internal pores further mitigate volume change, thereby reducing cracks generated between primary particles during charging and discharging. Accordingly, life-cycle characteristics of the rechargeable all-solid-state lithium battery may be improved and an increase in resistance may be reduced.
An average length of the primary particles of the secondary particle may be about 0.01 μm to about 5 μm, for example about 0.01 μm to about 2 μm, about 0.01 μm to about 1 μm, about 0.02 μm to about 1 μm, about 0.05 μm to about 0.5 μm, or about 150 nm to about 500 nm. Here, average length means the average length of the long axis length (a) in the plane direction (e.g., in a plan view) when the primary particles are plate-shaped, and when the primary particle is spherical, it means the average particle diameter.
When the primary particles are plate-shaped, an average thickness of the primary particles may be for example greater than or equal to about 50 nm, greater than or equal to about 100 nm, greater than or equal to about 200 nm, greater than or equal to about 300 nm, greater than or equal to about 400 nm, greater than or equal to about 500 nm, greater than or equal to about 600 nm, greater than or equal to about 700 nm, greater than or equal to about 800 nm, or greater than or equal to about 900 nm, and for example less than or equal to about 5 μm, less than or equal to about 4 μm, less than or equal to about 3 μm, less than or equal to about 2 μm, less than or equal to about 1 μm, less than or equal to about 900 nm, less than or equal to about 800 nm, less than or equal to about 700 nm, less than or equal to about 600 nm, or less than or equal to about 500 nm, for example about 100 nm to about 200 nm.
In one or more embodiments, in the primary particle, a ratio of the average thickness to the average length may be about 1:1 to about 1:10, for example, about 1:1 to about 1:8, about 1:1 to about 1:6, or about 1:2 to about 1:5.
Here, the length and thickness may be measured with an optical microscope such as a scanning electron microscope, the average length may mean an arithmetic mean value of about 50 pieces of length data, and the average thickness may be an arithmetic mean value of about 50 pieces of thickness data.
As described above, when the ranges of the average length and average thickness of the primary particles are satisfied, the first positive electrode active material may easily transfer lithium to increase charging and discharging efficiency, may minimize or reduce a stress of volume change due to charging and discharging to secure structural stability, and may suppress or reduce a separation between the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte to improve the long cycle-life.
In the first positive electrode active material, the secondary particles may include an inner portion and an outer portion around (e.g., surrounding) the inner portion. The inner portion may be referred to as a center or core, and the outer portion may be referred to as an external portion or a shell.
For example, the secondary particles may include an inner portion having an irregular porous structure and an outer portion in which at least a portion of the primary particles are radially arranged, that is, a radially arranged structure. The irregular porous structure is a structure having the primary particles and pores wherein a size, a shape, a position, and/or the like of the primary particles are irregular. In this inner portion, the primary particles may be arranged without regularity unlike the outer portion.
In this structure, the “inner portion” may be defined as a portion having an irregular porous structure, or a portion in which primary particles and pores are irregularly arranged, and the “outer portion” is a portion around (e.g., surrounding) the inner portion, and may be defined as a portion having a radial structure or a portion in which at least a portion of the primary particles are radially arranged.
The first positive electrode active material with this structure has a porous structure in the inner portion, so that a diffusion distance of lithium ions to the inner portion is reduced, and the pores may have an effect of alleviating volume changes between the primary particles occurring during the charge and discharge. In one or more embodiments, in the first positive electrode active material, the primary particles in the outer portion are radially arranged, so lithium ions may be easily intercalated into the surface, and a stress according to the volume changes may be minimized or reduced during the charge and discharge. Such a positive electrode active material may improve the charging/discharging efficiency of the all-solid-state battery and improve a contact property between the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte (e.g., improve contact between the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte), thereby reducing the resistance of the all-solid-state battery and improving life-cycle characteristics.
In the secondary particles (e.g., in each of the secondary particles) of the first positive electrode active material, the inner portion may include pores with a larger size than those of the outer portion. For example, the pores in the inner portion may have a size of about 150 nm to about 1 μm, and the pores in the outer portion may have a size of less than about 150 nm. Here, in the outer portion, lithium ions may be easily intercalated, while in the inner portion, a lithium diffusion distance may be short, and there is an effect of alleviating the volume changes of the positive electrode active material during the charge and discharge. Here, the pores may have a size which is a diameter, when spherical or circular, and a length of a long axis when an oval and/or the like, wherein the size is measured with an electron microscope such as SEM and/or the like.
In one or more embodiments, the secondary particles of the first positive electrode active material may (e.g., may each) have open pores on the surface. The open pores may be pores in which portions of the walls of the pores are not closed (e.g., the pores are open on at least one side), and the open pores on the surface may be connected to the outside and work as a passage through which material comes in and out. These open pores may have a size of less than about 150 nm, for example, about 10 nm to about 148 nm. Because the primary particles in the outer portion of the secondary particles are radially arranged, the open pores on the surface may be in the form of facing (e.g., may face) a center from the surface of (e.g., each of) the secondary particles. The open pores may be formed to a depth of less than or equal to about 150 nm, for example, about 0.1 nm to about 100 nm, for example, about 1 nm to about 50 nm from the surface of the secondary particle. The size and depth of the open pores may be measured by the BJH (Barrett, Joyner and Halenda) method, which is a method derived through the adsorption or desorption content (e.g., amount) of nitrogen.
The closed pores may exist in the inner portion of the secondary particle, and closed pores and/or open pores may exist in the outer portion. The closed pores may exclude or mostly exclude an electrolyte, while the open pores may include an electrolyte therein. The closed pores may be referred to as independent pores that are not connected to other pores because all of the walls of the pores are formed in a closed structure.
In the first positive electrode active material, a radius ratio of the inner portion to a total of the secondary particle may be about 45% to about 65%, for example, about 45% to about 60%, about 50% to about 60%, or about 50% to about 55%. Considering this, the inner portion is defined as a region from the center to about 45 length % to about 65 length % of the total distance from the center of the secondary particle to the surface, narrowly to a region from about 50 length % to 55 length % from the center, and the outer portion may be also defined as a region around (e.g., surrounding) this inner portion.
In one or more embodiments, a volume ratio of the outer portions to the total volume of the secondary particle may be less than or equal to about 87%, for example, less than or equal to about 85%, about 80% to about 87%, or about 80% to about 85%. When the volume ratio of the outer portion of the secondary particles satisfies the ranges, initial charge/discharge efficiency and high-temperature life-cycle characteristics may be further improved. Considering this, the outer portion may be defined as a region around (e.g., surrounding) the inner portion and a region satisfying about 87 volume % or less of the total volume of the secondary particle.
In one or more embodiments, the first positive electrode active material may have a multi-center radial array structure having a plurality of centers, or a single-center radial array structure arranged toward one center.
The average particle diameter of the first positive electrode active material may be about 5 μm to about 20 μm, for example, about 8 μm to about 20 μm, or about 10 μm to about 18 μm. In such cases, the capacity of the positive electrode active material for the all-solid-state battery may be increased, and pellet density and energy density may be further increased. Here, the average particle diameter (D50) is measured by a particle size analyzer utilizing a laser diffraction method, and refers to a diameter of particles having a cumulative volume of 50 volume % in the particle size distribution.
The first positive electrode active material may include a zirconium-containing coating layer on the surface of the secondary particles. The zirconium-containing coating layer may function as a type or kind of buffer layer. For example, the zirconium-containing coating layer may serve to improve life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery by lowering the reactivity between the first positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte and thus reducing an interfacial resistance.
The zirconium-containing coating layer may include, for example, zirconium oxide, zirconium alkoxide, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium carbonate, lithium zirconium oxide, or a combination thereof. The coating layer may be disposed on the whole or portion of the surface of the secondary particle. For example, the coating layer may be in the form of a film or an island. A content (e.g., amount) of zirconium in the coating layer may be about 0.01 mol % to about 3.0 mol %, for example, about 0.01 mol % to about 2.0 mol %, about 0.01 mol % to about 1.0 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 0.8 mol %, or about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol % based on 100 mol % of the first positive electrode active material. When the first positive electrode active material includes the zirconium-containing coating layer, a reaction between the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte may be suppressed or reduced, an interfacial resistance may be reduced, and high-voltage stability, initial efficiency, and life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery may be improved.
A second positive electrode active material is in the form of a single particle, exists alone without a grain boundary within the particle, is composed of one particle, and has a monolith structure or an onebody structure, in which particles are not aggregated with each other but exist as an independent phase in terms of morphology, or a non-aggregated particle, and may be expressed as a single particle (onebody particle, single grain), for example, as a monocrystal (single crystal).
The shape of the second positive electrode active material may be, for example, a polyhedral, amorphous, spherical, or a shape close to a spherical shape.
A positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery according to one or more embodiments includes the second positive electrode active material in the form of a single particle and thus may increase pellet density and energy density. In one or more embodiments, an all-solid-state battery is manufactured by applying a pressure to an electrode assembly, wherein when the second positive electrode active material, which is a single particle and has a spherical shape, is mixed with the first positive electrode active material, the pressure may be very easily transferred and thus minimize or reduce an empty space among particle components in the positive electrode, so that a solid electrolyte may be effectively penetrated into the positive electrode active material, thereby, improving connectivity of the solid electrolytes and contact between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material. An all-solid-state battery to which the positive electrode is applied may realize high-capacity and high efficiency as well as high energy density and exhibit excellent or suitable life-cycle characteristics. In contrast, when the second positive electrode active material is not mixed or is replaced with another second positive electrode active material in the form of secondary particle rather than the single particle and with a smaller particle diameter than that of the first positive electrode active material, there may not only be a smaller effect of improving pellet density and energy density but also the pressure may not be easily transferred due to the shape during the process of preparing the all-solid-state battery, deteriorating the penetration of the solid electrolyte and also deteriorating the connectivity of the solid electrolyte and the contact between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material.
An average particle diameter (D50) of the second positive electrode active material (in the form of single particles) may be about 0.05 μm to about 8 μm. For example, the average particle diameter (D50) may be about 0.1 μm to about 7 μm, about 0.1 μm to about 6 μm, about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm, or about 1 μm to about 4 μm. In such cases, the pellet density and energy density of the positive electrode active material may be further increased, and penetration and connectivity of the solid electrolyte in the positive electrode may be improved, thereby improving efficiency and life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery. Here, the average particle diameter (D50) is measured by a particle size analyzer and refers to a diameter of particles having a cumulative volume of 50 volume % in the particle size distribution.
The second positive electrode active material may include a zirconium-containing coating layer on the surface of the single particle. The zirconium-containing coating layer may function as a type or kind of buffer layer. For example, the zirconium-containing coating layer suppresses or reduces a reaction between the second positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte and lowers an interfacial resistance, thereby contributing to improving life-cycle characteristics of an all-solid-state battery.
The coating layer may include, for example, zirconium oxide, zirconium alkoxide, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium carbonate, lithium zirconium oxide, or a combination thereof. The coating layer may be disposed on the whole or portion of the surface of the single particle. For example, the coating layer may be in the form of a film or an island. A content (e.g., amount) of zirconium in the coating layer may be about 0.01 mol % to about 3.0 mol %, for example, about 0.01 mol % to about 2.0 mol %, about 0.01 mol % to about 1.0 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 0.8 mol %, or about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol % based on 100 mol % of the second positive electrode active material. When the second positive electrode active material includes the zirconium-containing coating layer, an interfacial resistance between the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte may be reduced and high-voltage stability, initial efficiency, and life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery may be improved.
The positive electrode active material may include about 50 wt % to about 90 wt % of the first positive electrode active material, and about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % of the second positive electrode active material, and for example about 60 wt % to about 90 wt % of the first positive electrode active material and about 10 wt % to about 40 wt % of the second positive electrode active material. When the first positive electrode active material and the second positive electrode active material are mixed in such a ratio, a pellet density and energy density may be maximized or increased, and a solid electrolyte penetration may be improved, thereby improving charging and discharging efficiency and life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery.
The first positive electrode active material and the second positive electrode active material are each a positive electrode active material including a lithium nickel-based composite oxide, and the lithium nickel-based composite oxide of the first positive electrode active material and the lithium nickel-based composite oxide of the second positive electrode active material may be the same or different from each other.
The nickel content (e.g., amount) in the lithium nickel-based composite oxide may be greater than or equal to about 30 mol %, for example greater than or equal to about 40 mol %, greater than or equal to about 50 mol %, greater than or equal to about 60 mol %, greater than or equal to about 70 mol %, greater than or equal to about 80 mol %, or greater than or equal to about 90 mol % and less than or equal to about 99.9 mol %, or less than or equal to about 99 mol % based on the total amount of metals other than lithium. For example, the nickel content (e.g., amount) in the lithium nickel-based composite oxide may be higher than the content (e.g., amount) of each of other metals such as cobalt, manganese, and aluminum. When the nickel content (e.g., amount) satisfies the above range, the positive electrode active material may exhibit excellent or suitable battery performance while realizing a high capacity.
The lithium nickel-based composite oxide may be represented by Chemical Formula 1.
Lia1Nix1M1y1M21−x1−y1O2−zXz Chemical Formula 1
In Chemical Formula 1, 0.9≤a1≤1.8, 0.3≤x1≤1, 0≤y1≤0.7, and 0≤z≤0.1, M1 and M2 are independently at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, and/or Zr, and X is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) F, P, and/or S.
In Chemical Formula 1, 0.4≤x1≤1 and 0≤y1≤0.6, 0.5≤x1≤1 and 0≤y1≤0.5, 0.6≤x1≤1 and 0≤y1≤0.4, or 0.7≤x1≤1 and 0≤y1≤0.3, 0.8≤x1≤1 and 0≤y1≤0.2, or 0.9≤x1≤1 and 0≤y1≤0.1.
The lithium nickel-based composite oxide may be, for example, represented by Chemical Formula 2.
Lia2Nix2COy2M31−x2−y2O2−zXz Chemical Formula 2
In Chemical Formula 2, 0.9≤a2≤1.8, 0.3≤x2≤1, 0<y2≤0.7, and 0≤z≤0.1, M3 is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, and Zr, and/or X is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) F, P, and/or S.
In Chemical Formula 2, 0.3≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.7, 0.4≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.6, 0.5≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.5, or 0.6≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.4, 0.7≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.3, 0.8≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.2, or 0.9≤x2≤0.99 and 0.01≤y2≤0.1.
The lithium nickel-based composite oxide may be, for example, represented by Chemical Formula 3.
Lia3Nix3 COy3M4z3M51−x3−y3−z3O2−zXz Chemical Formula 3
In Chemical Formula 3, 0.9≤a3≤1.8, 0.3≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.69, 0.01≤z3≤0.69, and 0≤z≤0.1, M4 is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) Al, and/or Mn, M5 is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mo, Nb, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, and/or Zr, and X is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) F, P, and/or S.
In Chemical Formula 3, 0.4≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.59, and 0.01≤z3≤0.59, may be 0.5≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.49, and 0.01≤z3≤0.49, or 0.6≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.39, and 0.01≤z3≤0.39, or 0.7≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.29, and 0.01≤z3≤0.29, or 0.8≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.19, and 0.01≤z3≤0.19, or 0.9≤x3≤0.98, 0.01≤y3≤0.09, and 0.01≤z3≤0.09.
In one or more embodiments, a method of preparing a positive electrode active material includes mixing a first positive electrode active material precursor being in a form of secondary particles in which a plurality of primary particles are aggregated and including a nickel-based composite hydroxide, a second positive electrode active material being in a form of single particles and including a lithium nickel-based composite oxide, a lithium raw material, and performing heat-treatment.
Unlike the method of separately preparing the first positive electrode active material and the second positive electrode active material through each firing step, mixing them, and optionally reheating them, in the method of preparing the positive electrode active material, a first positive electrode active material precursor, a second positive electrode active material, and a lithium raw material are mixed and concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) fired. Because the preparing method is simple and efficient, productivity may be improved, a pellet density and energy density of the final positive electrode active material may be increased, and efficiency and life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery may be improved.
The first positive electrode active material precursor may be prepared by a coprecipitation method. In other words, a nickel raw material and optionally, a metal raw material other than the nickel are mixed to prepare a composite metal raw material, and then a complexing agent and a pH controlling agent are added thereto to control pH of the mixture and perform a co-precipitation reaction, preparing a nickel-based composite hydroxide having a desired or suitable composition.
The complexing agent serves to control a reaction rate of the formation of a precipitate in the co-precipitation reaction, and may be, for example, ammonium hydroxide (NHOH), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), or citric acid.
The pH controlling agent may be, for example, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4), and/or the like. The pH of the mixture may be adjusted, for example, in the range of about 10 to about 13.
The co-precipitation reaction may proceed in several steps (e.g., acts or tasks), for example, 2 steps, 3 steps, or 4 steps. In each step, a concentration of the complexing agent, an input rate of the composite metal raw material, the pH range, a reaction temperature, reaction time, stirring power, and/or the like may be differently (e.g., individually) adjusted. Through these adjustments, a secondary particle-type or kind positive electrode active material precursor, in which at least a portion of the primary particles are radially arranged, is prepared, and in addition, secondary particles having different internal and external shapes are prepared.
The nickel-based composite hydroxide that is a first positive electrode active material precursor may be, for example, represented by Chemical Formula 11.
Nix11M11y11M121−x11−y11(OH)2 Chemical Formula 11
In Chemical Formula 11, 0.3≤x11≤1, 0≤y11≤0.7, and M11 and M12 may each independently be at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, F, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, and/or Zr.
As a specific example, the nickel-based composite hydroxide may be represented by Chemical Formula 12 or Chemical Formula 13.
Nix12COy12M131−x12−y12(OH)2 Chemical Formula 12
In Chemical Formula 12, 0.3≤x12<1, 0<y12≤0.7, and M13 is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) Al, B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cr, F, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, and/or Zr.
Nix13COy13M14z13M151−x13−yl3−z13(OH)2 Chemical Formula 13
In Chemical Formula 13, 0.3≤x13≤0.98, 0.01≤y13≤0.69, 0.01≤z13≤0.69, M14 is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) Al and/or Mn, and M15 is at least one element of (e.g., one selected from) B, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cr, F, Fe, Mg, Mo, Nb, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, W, and/or Zr.
An average particle diameter (D50) of the first positive electrode active material precursor may be, for example, about 5 μm to about 25 μm, or about 8 μm to about 20 μm. Here, the average particle diameter (D50) is measured by a particle size analyzer and refers to a diameter of particles having a cumulative volume of 50 volume % in the particle size distribution.
The second positive electrode active material may be a single particle and in the form of an oxide, and may be prepared by mixing a nickel-based composite hydroxide and a lithium raw material, performing heat-treatment, and then performing pulverization. Here, the heat-treatment may be performed, for example, at about 800° C. to about 1000° C. in an oxidizing gas atmosphere for about 5 hours to about 25 hours. The pulverization is performed to obtain a single-particle structure, and is distinct from fracture and may be performed utilizing a device such as a jet mill.
The lithium nickel-based composite oxide of the second positive electrode active material may be the same as described in the positive electrode active material section, and may be represented by Chemical Formula 1, Chemical Formula 2, or Chemical Formula 3. An average particle diameter (D50) of the second positive electrode active material may be about 0.05 μm to about 8 μm, for example, about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm.
A mixing ratio of the first positive electrode active material precursor and the second positive electrode active material may be in a weight ratio of about 5:5 to about 9:1, for example, about 6:4 to about 9:1, about 6:4 to about 8:2, or about 7:3 to about 9:1. In this case, a positive electrode active material having high pellet density and high energy density, high capacity, and excellent or suitable life-cycle characteristics may be prepared.
The lithium raw material may be, for example, Li2CO3, LiOH, a hydrate thereof, or a combination thereof, and may be mixed in a ratio (e.g., amount) of about 0.8 mole to about 1.8 mole, or about 0.9 mole to about 1.2 mole with respect to 1 mole of the nickel-based composite hydroxide.
The heat-treatment may be performed, for example, at a temperature of about 650° C. to about 850° C. for about 5 hours to about 25 hours.
The method for preparing the positive electrode active material may further include mixing the first positive electrode active material precursor, the second positive electrode active material, and the lithium raw material, and performing heat-treatment to form a buffer layer in the obtained material and for example, it may include inputting a zirconium raw material in the obtained material and performing a reheat-treatment. Accordingly, a first positive electrode active material including a zirconium coating layer on the surface of secondary particles and a second positive electrode active material including a zirconium coating layer on the surface of single particles may be finally obtained. Through this, the positive electrode active material is suppressed or reduced from a reaction with the solid electrolyte and thus may lower interfacial resistance and improve high-voltage stability, initial efficiency, life-cycle characteristics, and/or the like of an all-solid-state battery.
Here, the zirconium raw material may be zirconium alkoxide, zirconium oxide, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium carbonate, and/or the like. The zirconium raw material may be added in a zirconium content (e.g., amount) of about 0.01 mol % to about 3.0 mol % based on about 100 mol % of the final positive electrode active material, for example, about 0.01 mol % to about 2.0 mol %, about 0.01 mol % to about 1.0 mol %, about 0.05 mol % to about 0.8 mol %, or about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol %. The reheat-treatment may be performed at about 200° C. to about 500° C. for about 0.5 hours to about 15 hours, for example, about 300° C. to about 400° C. for about 1 hour to about 10 hours.
When the zirconium raw material is added to the obtained material, the lithium raw material may be added together. Herein, lithium zirconium oxide with a stable structure is formed into a buffer layer on the surface of the positive electrode active material, lowering interfacial resistance and improving performance of an all-solid-state battery.
The buffer layer may be formed in a dry or wet method. The dry method may be performed by adding the zirconium raw material and, optionally, the lithium raw material to the obtained material, while heat-treating. The wet method may be performed by adding the obtained material to a solution in which the zirconium raw material and, optionally, the lithium raw material, is mixed and then drying and heat-treating the mixture.
The solid electrolyte may be an inorganic solid electrolyte such as a sulfide-based solid electrolyte or an oxide-based solid electrolyte, or a solid polymer electrolyte.
In one or more embodiments, the solid electrolyte may be a sulfide-based solid electrolyte having excellent or suitable ion conductivity. The sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be, for example, Li2S—P2S5, Li2S—P2S5—LiX (X is a halogen element, for example I or Cl), Li2S—P2S5—Li2O, Li2S—P2S5—Li2O—LiI, Li2S—SiS2, Li2S—SiS2—LiI, Li2S—SiS2—LiBr, Li2S—SiS2—LiCl, Li2S—SiS2—B2S3—LiI, Li2S—SiS2—P2S5—LiI, Li2S—B2S3, Li2S—P2S5—ZmSn (m and n is each an integer and Z is Ge, Zn, or Ga), Li2S—GeS2, Li2S—SiS2—Li3PO4, Li2S—SiS2-LipMOq (p and q are integers and M is P, Si, Ge, B, Al, Ga, or In), and/or the like.
The sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be obtained by, for example, mixing Li2S and P2S5 in a mole ratio of about 50:50 to about 90:10 or about 50:50 to about 80:20. Within the above mixing ratio range, a sulfide-based solid electrolyte having excellent or suitable ionic conductivity may be prepared. The ionic conductivity may be further improved by adding SiS2, GeS2, B2S3, and/or the like as other components thereto. The mixing may be performed by a mechanical milling method or a solution method. The mechanical milling method is to make starting materials into particulates by putting the starting materials, and/or the like in a ball mill and fervently stirring them. The solution method may be performed by mixing the starting materials in a solvent to obtain a solid electrolyte as a precipitate. In one or more embodiments, after the mixing, firing (e.g., heating or heat treatment) may be additionally performed. When the additional firing is performed, the solid electrolyte may have more (e.g., much more) rigid crystals.
For example, the solid electrolyte may be an argyrodite-type or kind sulfide-based solid electrolyte. The argyrodite-type or kind sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be for example LiaMbPcSdAe (a, b, c, d, and e are all greater than or equal to about 0 and less than or equal to about 12, M is Ge, Sn, Si, or a combination thereof, and A is F, Cl, Br, or I), and as a specific example, Li7-xPS6-xAx (x is greater than or equal to about 0.2 and less than or equal to about 1.8, and A is F, Cl, Br, or I). The argyrodite-type or kind sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be specifically Li3PS4, Li7P3S11, Li7PS6, Li6PS5Cl, Li6PS5Br, Li5.8PS4.8Cl1.2, Li6.2PS5.2Br0.8, and/or the like. This sulfide-based solid electrolyte has high ionic conductivity close to about 10−4 to about 10−20 S/cm, which is ionic conductivity of a general liquid electrolyte, at room temperature and thus, may form a close interface between the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte layer without deteriorating the ion conductivity. Furthermore, a close interface between the electrode layer and the solid electrolyte layer may be formed. In an all-solid-state battery including the same, battery performance such as rate capability, coulombic efficiency, and life-cycle characteristics may be improved.
The sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be amorphous or crystalline, or may be in a mixed state.
The solid electrolyte may be an oxide-based inorganic solid electrolyte in addition to the sulfide-based material. The oxide-based inorganic solid electrolyte may include, for example, Li1+xTi2-xAl(PO4)3(LTAP)(0≤x≤4), Li1+x+yAlxTi2−xSiyP3-yO12(0<x<2, 0≤y<3), BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT), Pb1−xLaxZr1-yTiyO3(PLZT)(0≤x<1, 0≤y<1), Pb(Mg3Nb2/3)O3—PbTiO3(PMN-PT), HfO2, SrTiO3, SnO2, CeO2, Na2O, MgO, NiO, CaO, BaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), lithium titanium phosphate (LixTiy(PO4)3, 0<x<2, 0<y<3) Li1+x+y(Al, Ga)x(Ti, Ge)2-xSiyP3-yO12 (0≤x≤1, 0≤y≤1), lithium lanthanum titanate (LixLayTiO3, 0<x<2, 0<y<3), Li2O, LiAlO2, Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2—P2O5—TiO2—GeO2 based ceramics, Garnet based ceramics Li3+xLa3M2O12 (M=Te, Nb, or Zr and x is an integer of 1 to 10), or a mixture thereof.
The solid electrolyte may be in a form of particles, and the average particle diameter (D50) thereof may be less than or equal to about 5.0 μm, for example, about 0.5 μm to about 5.0 μm. Such a solid electrolyte may effectively penetrate between the positive electrode active materials, and has an excellent or suitable contact property with the positive electrode active materials and connectivity between the solid electrolyte particles. The average particle diameter of the solid electrolyte may be measured by a microscope image, and for example, a particle size distribution may be obtained by measuring the particle size in a scanning electron microscope image, and then D50 may be calculated.
A content (e.g., amount) of the solid electrolyte in the positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery may be about 0.1 wt % to about 35 wt %, for example, about 1 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 25 wt %, or about 10 wt % to about 20 wt %. This is a content (e.g., amount) based on the total weight of the components in the positive electrode, and specifically, it may be referred to as a content (e.g., amount) based on the total weight of the positive electrode active material layer. In one or more embodiments, the positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery may include about 65 wt % to about 99 wt % of the positive electrode active material and about 1 wt % to about 35 wt % of the solid electrolyte, for example about 80 wt % to about 90 wt % of the positive electrode active material and about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of the solid electrolyte based on the total weight of the positive electrode active material and the solid electrolyte. When the solid electrolyte is included in the positive electrode in such a content (e.g., amount), the efficiency and life-cycle characteristics of the all-solid-state battery may be improved without reducing the capacity.
The binder improves binding properties of positive electrode active material particles with one another and with a current collector. Examples thereof may be polyvinyl alcohol, carboxylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, polyvinylchloride, carboxylated polyvinylchloride, polyvinylfluoride, an ethylene oxide-containing polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber, an epoxy resin, nylon, and/or the like, but are not limited thereto.
The binder may be included in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %, based on the total weight of each component of the all-solid-state battery positive electrode or based on the total weight of the positive electrode active material layer. In the above content (e.g., amount) range, the binder may sufficiently exhibit adhesive ability without degrading battery performance.
The conductive material is included to provide electrode conductivity and any electrically conductive material may be utilized as a conductive material unless it causes a chemical change. The conductive material may include, for example, a carbon-based material such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, a carbon fiber, a carbon nanofiber, a carbon nanotube, and/or the like; a metal-based material of a metal powder or a metal fiber including copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, and/or the like; a conductive polymer such as a polyphenylene derivative, and/or the like; or a mixture thereof.
The conductive material may be included in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %, based on the total weight of each component of the positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery or based on the total weight of the positive electrode active material layer. In the above content (e.g., amount) range, the conductive material may improve electrical conductivity without degrading battery performance.
One or more embodiments provide method of preparing a positive electrode for an all-solid-state battery. The method of preparing the positive electrode includes preparing the aforementioned positive electrode active material; mixing the obtained positive electrode active material, a solid electrolyte, a conductive agent, and a binder to prepare a positive electrode active material composition; and applying the positive electrode active material composition to the positive electrode current collector and drying the same.
The preparing of the positive electrode active material is the same as described above.
In the step of preparing the positive electrode active material composition, a mixing ratio of each component may be, as described above, a ratio of about 55 wt % to about 99.7 wt % of the positive electrode active material; about 0.1 wt % to about 35 wt % of the solid electrolyte; about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the conductive agent; and about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the binder. In some embodiments, about 74 wt % to about 89.8 wt % of the positive electrode active material; about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of the solid electrolyte; about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt % of a conductive agent; and about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt % of the binder may be mixed. By mixing in the above content (e.g., amount) ranges, life-cycle characteristics of the battery may be improved while maximizing or increasing the capacity.
The method of preparing the positive electrode may further include applying the positive electrode active material composition to the positive electrode current collector and drying the same to prepare a positive electrode active material layer on the positive electrode current collector, and then applying a zirconium-containing compound on the positive electrode active material layer to form a zirconium protective layer. The zirconium-containing compound may be, for example, zirconium oxide, lithium zirconium oxide, or a combination thereof. When the zirconium protective layer is further formed on the positive electrode active material layer, a performance of the all-solid-state battery may be improved by lowering an interfacial resistance between the positive electrode active material layer and the solid electrolyte layer.
In one or more embodiments, an all-solid-state battery includes the aforementioned positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte layer between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The all-solid-state battery may be expressed as a rechargeable all-solid-state battery or a rechargeable all-solid-state lithium battery.
The all-solid-state battery 100 may further include at least one elastic layer 500 on the outside of at least either one of the positive electrode 200 and/or the negative electrode 400.
The negative electrode for an all-solid-state battery may include, for example, a current collector and a negative electrode active material layer on the current collector. The negative electrode active material layer may include a negative electrode active material, and may further include a binder, a conductive material, and/or a solid electrolyte.
The negative electrode active material may include a material that reversibly intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions, a lithium metal, a lithium metal alloy, a material capable of doping/dedoping lithium, or transition metal oxide.
The material that reversibly intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions may include, for example crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof, as a carbon-based negative electrode active material. The crystalline carbon may be non-shaped, or sheet, flake, spherical, or fiber shaped natural graphite or artificial graphite. The amorphous carbon may be a soft carbon, a hard carbon, a mesophase pitch carbonization product, calcined coke, and/or the like.
The lithium metal alloy includes an alloy of lithium and a metal including (e.g., selected from) Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Si, Sb, Pb, In, Zn, Ba, Ra, Ge, Al, and/or Sn.
The material capable of doping/dedoping lithium may be a Si-based negative electrode active material or a Sn-based negative electrode active material. The Si-based negative electrode active material may include silicon, a silicon-carbon composite, SiOx (0<x<2), a Si-Q alloy (wherein Q is an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a Group 13 element, a Group 14 element, a Group 15 element, a Group 16 element, a transition metal, a rare earth element, and/or a combination thereof, but not Si) and the Sn-based negative electrode active material may include Sn, SnO2, a Sn—R alloy (wherein R is an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a Group 13 element, a Group 14 element, a Group 15 element, a Group 16 element, a transition metal, a rare earth element, and/or a combination thereof, but not Sn). At least one of these materials may be mixed with SiO2. The elements Q and R may include (e.g., may be selected from) Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, Rf, V, Nb, Ta, db, Cr, Mo, W, Sg, Tc, Re, Bh, Fe, Pb, Ru, Os, Hs, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, Sn, In, Tl, Ge, P, As, Sb, Bi, S, Se, Te, Po, and/or a combination thereof.
The silicon-carbon composite may be, for example, a silicon-carbon composite including a core including crystalline carbon and silicon particles and an amorphous carbon coating layer disposed on the surface of the core. The crystalline carbon may be artificial graphite, natural graphite, or a combination thereof. The amorphous carbon precursor may be a coal-based pitch, mesophase pitch, petroleum-based pitch, coal-based oil, petroleum-based heavy oil, or a polymer resin such as a phenol resin, a furan resin, or a polyimide resin. In this case, the content (e.g., amount) of silicon may be about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the silicon-carbon composite. In some embodiments, the content (e.g., amount) of the crystalline carbon may be about 10 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the total weight of the silicon-carbon composite, and the content (e.g., amount) of the amorphous carbon may be about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total weight of the silicon-carbon composite. In some embodiments, a thickness of the amorphous carbon coating layer may be about 5 nm to about 100 nm.
The average particle diameter (D50) of the silicon particles may be about 10 nm to about 20 μm, for example about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The silicon particles may exist in an oxidized form, and in this case, an atomic content (e.g., amount) ratio of Si:O in the silicon particles indicating a degree of oxidation may be a weight ratio of about 99:1 to about 33:67. The silicon particles may be SiOx particles, and in this case, the range of x in SiOx may be greater than about 0 and less than about 2.
Here, the average particle diameter (D50) is measured by a particle size analyzer utilizing a laser diffraction method, and refers to a diameter of particles having a cumulative volume of 50 volume % in the particle size distribution.
The Si-based negative electrode active material or Sn-based negative electrode active material may be mixed with the carbon-based negative electrode active material. A mixing ratio of the Si-based negative electrode active material or Sn-based negative electrode active material; and a carbon-based negative electrode active material may be about 1:99 to about 90:10.
In the negative electrode active material layer, the negative electrode active material may be included in an amount of about 95 wt % to about 99 wt % based on the total weight of the negative electrode active material layer.
In one or more embodiments, the negative electrode active material layer further includes a binder, and may optionally further include a conductive material. The content (e.g., amount) of the binder in the negative electrode active material layer may be about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the negative electrode active material layer. In some embodiments, when the conductive material is further included, the negative electrode active material layer may include about 90 wt % to about 98 wt % of the negative electrode active material, about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the binder, and about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the conductive material.
The binder serves to well adhere the negative electrode active material particles to each other and also to adhere the negative electrode active material to the current collector. The binder may be a water-insoluble binder, a water-soluble binder, or a combination thereof.
Examples of the water-insoluble binder include polyvinyl chloride, carboxylated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, an ethylene oxide-containing polymer, an ethylene propylene copolymer, polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamideimide, polyimide, and/or a combination thereof.
The water-soluble binder may include a rubber binder or a polymer resin binder. The rubber binder may include (e.g., may be selected from) a styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, an acrylic rubber, a butyl rubber, a fluororubber, and/or a combination thereof. The polymer resin binder may include (e.g., may be selected from) polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyepichlorohydrin, polyphosphazene, polyacrylonitrile, an ethylene propylene diene copolymer, polyvinylpyridine, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, latex, a polyester resin, an acrylic resin, a phenol resin, an epoxy resin, polyvinyl alcohol, and/or a combination thereof.
When a water-soluble binder is utilized as the negative electrode binder, a cellulose-based compound capable of imparting viscosity may be further included. As the cellulose-based compound, one or more of carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, or alkali metal salts thereof may be mixed and utilized. As the alkali metal, Na, K or Li may be utilized. The amount of the thickener utilized may be about 0.1 parts by weight to about 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the negative electrode active material.
The conductive material is included to provide electrode conductivity. Any electrically conductive material may be utilized as a conductive material unless it causes a chemical change. The conductive material may include, for example a carbon-based material such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotube, and/or the like; a metal-based material of a metal powder or a metal fiber including copper, nickel, aluminum silver, and/or the like; a conductive polymer such as a polyphenylene derivative; and/or a mixture thereof.
The negative electrode current collector may include at least one of (e.g., selected from) a copper foil, a nickel foil, a stainless steel foil, a titanium foil, a nickel foam, a copper foam, a polymer substrate coated with a conductive metal, and/or a combination thereof.
On the other hand, the negative electrode for an all-solid-state battery may be, for example, a precipitation-type or kind negative electrode. The precipitation-type or kind negative electrode may be a negative electrode which has no negative electrode active material during the assembly of a battery but in which a lithium metal and/or the like are precipitated during the charge of the battery and serve as a negative electrode active material.
The negative electrode catalyst layer 405 may include a metal and/or a carbon material which plays the role of a catalyst.
The metal may include, for example, gold, platinum, palladium, silicon silver, aluminum, bismuth, tin, zinc, or a combination thereof and may be composed of one of the metals (e.g., one selected therefrom) or an alloy of more than one. The metal may be in particle form and may have an average particle diameter (D50) of less than or equal to about 4 μm, for example, about 10 nm to about 4 μm.
The carbon material may be, for example, crystalline carbon, non-graphitic carbon, or a combination thereof. The crystalline carbon may be, for example, at least one of (e.g., one selected from) natural graphite, artificial graphite, mesophase carbon microbead, and/or a combination thereof. The non-graphite-based carbon may be at least one of (e.g., one selected from) carbon black, activated carbon, acetylene black, denka black, ketjen black, and a combination thereof.
When the negative electrode catalyst layer 405 includes the metal and the carbon material, the metal and the carbon material may be, for example, mixed in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 2:1. Here, the precipitation of the lithium metal may be effectively promoted and improve characteristics of the all-solid-state battery. The negative electrode catalyst layer 405 may include, for example, a carbon material on which a catalyst metal is supported or a mixture of metal particles and carbon material particles.
The negative electrode catalyst layer 405 may further include a binder, and the binder may be a conductive binder. In one or more embodiments, the negative electrode catalyst layer 405 may further include general additives such as a filler, a dispersing agent, an ion conductive agent, and/or the like. In one or more embodiments, the negative electrode catalyst layer may not include (e.g., may exclude) a negative electrode active material.
The negative electrode catalyst layer 405 may have, for example, a thickness of about 1 μm to about 20 μm.
The precipitation-type or kind negative electrode 400′ may further include a thin film, for example, on the surface of the current collector, that is, between the current collector and the negative electrode catalyst layer. The thin film may include an element capable of forming an alloy with lithium. The element capable of forming an alloy with lithium may be, for example, gold, silver, zinc, tin, indium, silicon, aluminum, bismuth, and/or the like, which may be utilized alone or an alloy of more than one. The thin film may further planarize a precipitation shape of the lithium metal layer 404 and much improve characteristics of the all-solid-state battery. The thin film may be formed, for example, in a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, a plating method, and/or the like. The thin film may have, for example, a thickness of about 1 nm to about 500 nm.
The solid electrolyte layer 300 includes a solid electrolyte, and the solid electrolyte may be an inorganic solid electrolyte such as a sulfide-based solid electrolyte or an oxide-based solid electrolyte, or a solid polymer electrolyte. Because the description of the type or kind of the solid electrolyte is the same as described above, it may not be repeated.
For example, the solid electrolyte included in the solid electrolyte layer 300 and an solid electrolyte included in the positive electrode 200 may include the same compound, for example, may be the same sulfide-based solid electrolyte, for example, the same argyrodite-type or kind sulfide-based solid electrolyte. Herein, the all-solid-state battery may exhibit improved overall performance and be stably operated.
In one or more embodiments, the solid electrolyte included in the positive electrode 200 may be in particle form and have a smaller average particle diameter (D50) than that of the solid electrolyte included in the solid electrolyte layer 300. Herein, energy density of the all-solid-state battery may be maximized or increased, and overall performance thereof may be improved by increasing mobility of lithium ions. For example, the solid electrolyte included in the positive electrode 200 may have an average particle diameter (D50) of about 0.5 μm to about 2.0 μm, or about 0.5 μm to about 1.5 μm, and the solid electrolyte of the solid electrolyte layer 300 may have an average particle diameter (D50) of about 2.1 μm to about 5.0 μm, or about 2.1 μm to about 4.0 μm, or about 2.5 μm to about 3.5 μm. When these particle diameter ranges are satisfied, while energy density of the all-solid-state battery is maximized or increased, because lithium ions are easily transferred, resistance may be suppressed or reduced, thereby improving overall performance of the all-solid-state battery. Herein, the average particle diameter (D50) of the solid electrolyte may be measured through a particle size analyzer utilizing a laser diffraction method. Or, the average particle diameter (D50) may be calculated by randomly selecting about 30 particles from a microscope image taken with a scanning electron microscope and/or the like and measuring the particle sizes to obtain a particle size distribution therefrom.
The solid electrolyte layer may further include a binder in addition to the solid electrolyte. Herein, the binder may include a styrene butadiene rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, an acrylate-based polymer, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The acrylate-based polymer may be, for example, butyl acrylate, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, or a combination thereof.
The solid electrolyte layer may be formed by adding a solid electrolyte to a binder solution, coating it on a base film, and drying the resultant. The solvent of the binder solution may be isobutyryl isobutyrate, xylene, toluene, benzene, hexane, or a combination thereof. Because a forming process of the solid electrolyte layer is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will not be provided.
A thickness of the solid electrolyte layer may be, for example, about 10 μm to about 150 μm.
The solid electrolyte layer may further include an alkali metal salt and/or an ionic liquid and/or a conductive polymer.
The alkali metal salt may be, for example, a lithium salt. A content (e.g., amount) of the lithium salt in the solid electrolyte layer may be greater than or equal to about 1 M, for example, about 1 M to about 4 M. In this case, the lithium salt may improve ionic conductivity by improving lithium ion mobility of the solid electrolyte layer.
The lithium salt may include, for example, LiSCN, LiN(CN)2, Li(CF3SO2)3C, LiC4F9SO3, LiN(SO2CF2CF3)2, LiCl, LiF, LiBr, LiI, LiB(C2O4)2, LiBF4, LiBF3(C2F5), lithium bis(oxalato) borate (LiBOB), lithium oxalyldifluoroborate (LIODFB), lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiDFOB), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI, LiN(SO2CF3)2), lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, LiFSI, LiN(SO2F)2), LiCF3SO3, LiAsF6, LiSbF6, LiClO4, and/or a mixture thereof.
In one or more embodiments, the lithium salt may be an imide-based salt, for example, the imide-based lithium salt may be lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI, LiN(SO2CF3)2), and/or lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI, LiN(SO2F)2). The lithium salt may maintain or improve ionic conductivity by appropriately maintaining chemical reactivity with the ionic liquid.
The ionic liquid has a melting point below room temperature, so it is in a liquid state at room temperature and refers to a salt or room temperature molten salt composed of ions alone.
The ionic liquid may be a compound including at least one cation of (e.g., one selected from) an ammonium-based, pyrrolidinium-based, pyridinium-based, pyrimidinium-based, imidazolium-based, piperidinium-based, pyrazolium-based, oxazolium-based, pyridazinium-based, phosphonium-based, sulfonium-based, triazolium-based, and/or a mixture thereof, and at least one anion of (e.g., one selected from) BF4—, PF6—, AsF6—, SbF6—, AlCl4—, HSO4—, ClO4—, CH3SO3—, CF3CO2—, Cl—, Br—, I—, BF4—, SO4—, CF3SO3—, (FSO2)2N—, (C2F5SO2)2N—, (C2F5SO2)(CF3SO2)N—, and/or (CF3SO2)2N—.
The ionic liquid may be, for example, one or more of (e.g., one or more selected from) N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidium bis(3-trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, and/or 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide.
A weight ratio of the solid electrolyte and the ionic liquid in the solid electrolyte layer may be about 0.1:99.9 to about 90:10, for example, about 10:90 to about 90:10, about 20:80 to about 90:10, about 30:70 to about 90:10, about 40:60 to about 90:10, or about 50:50 to about 90:10. The solid electrolyte layer satisfying the above ranges may maintain or improve ionic conductivity by improving the electrochemical contact area with the electrode. Accordingly, the energy density, discharge capacity, rate capability, etc. of the all-solid-state battery may be improved.
The all-solid-state battery may be a unit cell having a structure of a positive electrode/solid electrolyte layer/negative electrode, a bicell having a structure of positive electrode/solid electrolyte layer/negative electrode/solid electrolyte layer/positive electrode, or a stacked battery in which the structure of the unit cell is repeated.
The shape of the all-solid-state battery is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a coin type or kind, a button type or kind, a sheet type or kind, a stack type or kind, a cylindrical shape, a flat type or kind, and/or the like. In one or more embodiments, the all-solid-state battery may be applied to a large-sized battery utilized in an electric vehicle and/or the like. For example, the all-solid-state battery may also be utilized in a hybrid vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). In one or more embodiments, it may be utilized in a field requiring a large amount of power storage, and may be utilized, for example, in an electric bicycle or a power tool.
Hereinafter, examples of the present disclosure and comparative examples are described. It is to be understood, however, that the examples are for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure.
A nickel-based composite hydroxide (Ni0.945Co0.04Al0.015(OH)2), which is a precursor of the first positive electrode active material, is was synthesized through a co-precipitation method, which will be described in more detail later. Nickel sulfate (NiSO4·6H2O), cobalt sulfate (CoSO4·7H2O), and sodium aluminum sulfate (NaAl(SO4)2·12H2O) as metal raw materials were dissolved in distilled water as a solvent in a molar ratio of 94.5:4:1.5 to prepare a mixed solution. In addition, aqueous ammonia (NH4OH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a precipitating agent were prepared for the formation of a complex compound.
First Step: 2.5 kW/m3, NH4OH 0.40M, pH 10.5 to 11.5, and Reaction Time of 6 Hours
First, ammonia water having a concentration of 0.40 M was put in a reactor. While metal raw materials and a complexing agent (NH4OH) were added thereto respectively at 85 mL/min and 10 mL/min at 50° C. under a stirring power of 2.5 kW/m3, a reaction was started.
While NaOH was added thereto to maintain pH, the reaction was performed for 6 hours. As a result of the reaction, it was confirmed that the average sizes of the obtained core particles are in the range of about 6.5 μm to 7.5 μm, and the second step was performed as follows.
Second Step: 2.0 kW/m3, NH4OH 0.45M, pH 10.5 to 11.5, and Reaction Time of 18 Hours
The metal raw materials and the complexing agent were added thereto respectively at 107 mL/min and 15 mL/min, while the reaction temperature was maintained at 50° C., so that a concentration of the complexing agent was maintained to be 0.45 M. While adding NaOH thereto in order to maintain pH, the reaction was performed for 18 hours. At this time, the stirring power was lowered to 2.0 kW/m3, which was lower than the first step, and the reaction proceeded. By performing this reaction, it was confirmed that the average sizes of the product particles containing the obtained core and intermediate layer were 11.5 μm to 12 μm, and the third step was performed as follows.
Third Step: 1.0 kW/m3, NH4OH 0.45M, pH 10.5 to 11.5, and Reaction Time of 10 Hours
While maintaining the reaction temperature of 50° C., the metal raw material and the complexing agent were added at the rates of 142 mL/min and 19 mL/min, respectively, so that the concentration of the complexing agent was maintained the same as in the second step. While adding NaOH thereto in order to maintain pH, the reaction was performed for 10 hours. At this time, the stirring power was lowered to 1.0 kW/m3, which was lower than in the second step, and the reaction proceeded.
After washing the resultant, it was dried with hot air at about 150° C. for 24 hours to obtain nickel-based hydroxide (Ni0.945Co0.04Al0.015(OH)2), which was a first positive electrode active material precursor.
A nickel-based composite hydroxide (Ni0.94Co0.04Al0.01Mn0.01(OH)2), which was a second positive electrode active material precursor, was synthesized through the co-precipitation method. As metal raw materials, nickel sulfate (NiSO4·6H2O), cobalt sulfate (CoSO4·7H2O), sodium aluminum sulfate (NaAl(SO4)2·12H2O), and manganese sulfate (MnSO4·H2O) were mixed in a molar ratio of 94:4:1:1 and dissolved in distilled water as a solvent to prepare a mixed solution. Thereafter, the synthesis was the same as the preparation of the first positive electrode active material precursor.
The nickel-based composite hydroxide prepared in the aforementioned method was mixed with hydroxide lithium in a mole ratio of 1:1 and then heat-treated at 850° C. under an oxygen atmosphere. The heat-treated resultant was pulverized to have an average particle diameter (D50) of about 3 μm with an air flow crusher, obtaining a second positive electrode active material of single particle lithium nickel-based composite oxide (LiNi0.94Co0.04Al0.1Mn0.01O2).
The first positive electrode active material precursor and the second positive electrode active material were mixed in a weight ratio of 7:3, and 100 parts by mole of LiOH based on 100 parts by mole of the first positive electrode active material precursor was added thereto and then heat-treated at 700° C. for 7 hours under an oxygen atmosphere, obtaining a positive electrode active material. The first positive electrode active material precursor and LiOH reacted, synthesizing a first positive electrode active material of lithium nickel-based composite oxide, and the second positive electrode active material was reheat-treated.
In the obtained final positive electrode active material, the first positive electrode active material included lithium nickel-based composite oxide (LiNi0.945Co0.04Al0.015O2) and was in the form of a secondary particle with an average particle diameter (D50) of 14 μm, wherein the inner portion of the secondary particle had an irregular porous structure, and an outer portion of the secondary particle had a structure in which at least a portion of the primary particles were radially arranged, but the second positive electrode active material maintained a single particle structure.
The prepared first and second positive electrode active materials were coated with lithium zirconium oxide (Li2O—ZrO2) on the surface as follows: 2-propanol from which moisture was removed, a methanol solution containing 10% lithium methoxide, and zirconium isopropoxide were mixed in a molecular ratio (molar ratio) of 200:2:1, and the positive electrode active material was added thereto and dispersed therein. While ultrasonic waves were irradiated to prevent or reduce aggregation of the active material particles, the propanol was evaporated under vacuum at 50° C. The resulting material was filtered and heat-treated at 350° C. under an air atmosphere for 1 hour, obtaining a positive electrode active material coated with Li2O—ZrO2.
85 wt % of the positive electrode active material, 13.5 wt % of an argyrodite-type or kind solid electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl, D50=1 μm), 1.0 wt % of a polyvinylidene fluoride binder, 0.4 wt % of a carbon nanotube conductive material, and 0.1 wt % of a dispersing agent were mixed with an isobutyryl isobutyrate (IBIB) solvent, preparing a positive electrode active material composition. This composition was coated on a positive electrode current collector and dried, preparing a positive electrode.
3. Preparation of all-Solid-State Battery Cells
An isobutyryl isobutyrate solvent including an acryl-based binder was added to the argyrodite-type or kind solid electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl, D50=3 μm) and mixed therewith. Herein, the solvent was added thereto, while mixed, to secure appropriate or suitable viscosity, and thereby preparing a suitable slurry. The slurry was coated on a releasing film and dried at room temperature, forming a solid electrolyte layer.
A negative electrode catalyst layer composition was prepared by mixing carbon black with a primary particle diameter of about 30 nm and silver (Ag) with an average particle diameter (D50) of about 60 nm in a weight ratio of 3:1 to prepare a catalyst and adding 0.25 g of the catalyst to 2 g of an NMP solution including 7 wt % of a polyvinylidene fluoride binder. This composition was coated on a negative current collector and dried, preparing a precipitation-type or kind negative electrode having a negative electrode catalyst layer on the current collector.
(3) Preparation of Final all-Solid-State Battery Cell
The positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the solid electrolyte layer were cut, and then the solid electrolyte layer was laminated on the positive electrode, and the negative electrode was laminated thereon. The laminated product was sealed into a pouch form, and then pressed with a warm Isostatic press (WIP) at 500 MPa for 30 minutes at a high temperature of 80° C., manufacturing an all-solid-state battery cell.
A positive electrode and an all-solid-state battery cell were manufactured in substantially the same manner as in the Example except that the positive electrode active material was prepared in the following method. In the final positive electrode active material according to Comparative Example 1, the first positive electrode active material included lithium nickel-based composite oxide and had a form of a non-radiative secondary particle, and the second positive electrode active material was not a single particle structure but a non-radiative secondary particle.
As metal raw materials, nickel sulfate (NiSO4·6H2O), cobalt sulfate (CoSO4·7H2O), and aluminum sodium sulfate (NaAl(SO4)2·12H2O) in a mole ratio of 94.5:4:1.5 were dissolved in a solvent of distilled water to prepare a metal raw material mixed solution, and ammonia water (NH4OH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a precipitant were prepared for forming a complex compound.
After adding the dilute ammonia water solution to the substantially continuous reactor, the metal raw material mixed solution was continuously added, and sodium hydroxide was added to maintain the pH inside the reactor. After slowly conducting a reaction for about 80 hours, when the reaction was stabilized, a product overflown therefrom was collected and then washed and dried, obtaining a final precursor. Accordingly, nickel-based composite hydroxide (Ni0.945Co0.04Al0.015(OH)2) in the form of secondary particle in which primary particles are not radially arranged was prepared.
100 parts by mole of the nickel-based composite hydroxide was mixed with 100 parts by mole of LiOH and then heated up to 730° C. under an oxygen atmosphere for 5 hours and heat-treated for 7 hours, preparing a first positive electrode active material of non-radiative nickel-based composite oxide (LiNi0.945Co0.04Al0.01502).
Nickel-based composite hydroxide (Ni0.945Co0.04Al0.015 OH)2 having an average particle diameter (D50) reduced to 4 μm from 14 μm was prepared by maintaining pH inside the reactor to be higher than in the preparation of the first positive electrode active material precursor according to Comparative Example 1. A product overflown therefrom was collected and then washed and dried, obtaining a final precursor.
The obtained nickel composite hydroxide and LiOH were mixed in a molar ratio of 1:0.98 and heat-treated at 700° C. under an oxygen atmosphere for 8 hours to prepare a second positive electrode active material (Li0.98Ni0.945Co0.04Al0.015O2) in a form of secondary particles in which a plurality of primary particles were aggregated, and an average particle diameter (D50) of the secondary particles was 4 μm.
A final positive electrode active material was prepared by mixing the prepared first and second positive electrode active materials in a weight ratio of 7:3 and then performing the same Li2O—ZrO2 coating as (4) the buffer layer coating process of the Example.
Thereafter, a positive electrode and an all-solid-state battery cell were prepared in substantially the same manner as in the Example.
In the positive electrode active material according to Comparative Example 2, the first positive electrode active material was in the form of radial secondary particles, and the second positive electrode active material was also in the form of radial secondary particles.
The first positive electrode active material precursor (Ni0.945Co0.04Al0.015(OH)2) prepared in the Example and LiOH were mixed in a molar ratio of 1:1 and heat-treated at 700° C. in an oxygen atmosphere for 8 hours to prepare a first positive electrode active material (LiNi0.945Co0.04Al0.015O2) in a form of secondary particles in which at least a portion of primary particles were radially arranged and an average particle diameter (D50) of the secondary particle was 14 μm.
A nickel-based composite hydroxide (Ni0.94Co0.04Al0.01Mn0.01(OH)2), which was a second positive electrode active material precursor, was synthesized through the co-precipitation method. As metal raw materials, nickel sulfate (NiSO4·6H2O), cobalt sulfate (CoSO4·7H2O), sodium aluminum sulfate (NaAl(SO4)2·12H2O), and manganese sulfate (MnSO4·H2O) were mixed in a molar ratio of 94:4:1:1 and dissolved in distilled water as a solvent to prepare a mixed solution.
First Step: 4.5 kW/m3, NH4OH 0.25 M, pH 11.8 to 12.0, and Reaction Time of 6 Hours
First, ammonia water having a concentration of 0.25 M was put in a reactor. While metal raw materials and a complex agent were added thereto respectively at 107 mL/min and 25 mL/min at 50° C. under a stirring power of 4.5 kW/m3, a reaction was started. While NaOH is added thereto to maintain pH, the reaction was performed for 6 hours, and after confirming that the particle size continues to decrease, the second step was performed as follows.
Second Step: 3.5 kW/m3, NH4OH 0.30 M, pH 11.8 to 12.0, and Reaction Time of 16 Hours
The metal raw materials and the complex agent were added thereto respectively at 142 mL/min and 33 mL/min, while the reaction temperature was maintained at 50° C., so that the complex agent maintained a concentration of 0.30 M.
While adding NaOH thereto in order to maintain pH, the reaction was performed for 16 hours. At this time, the stirring power was lowered to 3.5 kW/m3, which was lower than the first step, and the reaction proceeded. After confirming that the obtained product containing a core and a surface layer had an average size of 3.5 μm to 3.8 μm, the reaction was terminated.
The obtained resulting material was washed and then dried with hot air at about 150° C. for 24 hours to obtain a nickel-based hydroxide Ni0.94Co0.04Al0.01 Mn0.01(OH)2. This and LiOH were mixed in a molar ratio of 1:0.99 and heat-treated in an oxygen atmosphere at 700° C. for 8 hours to obtain a lithium nickel-based composite oxide (LiNi0.94Co0.04Al0.1Mn0.01O2), aggregation was eliminated to prepare a second positive electrode active material having a size of 4 μm.
A final positive electrode active material was prepared by mixing the prepared first and second positive electrode active materials in a weight ratio of 7:3 and performing the same Li2O—ZrO2 coating as in (4) The Buffer Layer Coating process of the Example.
Thereafter, a positive electrode and an all-solid-state battery cell were prepared in substantially the same manner as in the Example.
A positive electrode active material of Comparative Example 3 was prepared by preparing the first positive electrode active material (LiNi0.945Co0.04Mn0.015O2) in the form of non-radial secondary particles according to Comparative Example 1 and the second positive electrode active material (LiNi0.88Co0.08Mn0.04O2) of single particles according to the Example, mixing them in a weight ratio of 7:3 and conducting the same Li2O—ZrO2 coating as in (4) The Buffer Layer Coating process of the Example.
Thereafter, a positive electrode and an all-solid-state battery cell were prepared in substantially the same manner as in the Example.
3 g of each positive electrode active material according to the Example and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were put in a pellet-manufacturing mold and maintained at 3.3 tons for 30 seconds, and then measured with respect to density from a pellet thickness and a diameter of the mold. The measurements are shown in
Referring to
The all-solid-state battery cells according to the Example and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were charged up to an upper limit voltage of 4.25 V at a constant current of 0.1 C and discharged down to a discharge cut-off voltage of 2.5 Vat 0.1 C at 45° C., and then measured with respect to initial discharge capacity, and the results are shown in
Referring to
Discharge capacity, the black bar graph of
In Comparative Example 2, in which the radial large particles as a first positive electrode active material were applied, volume capacity is improved, but in Comparative Example 3 in which non-radial large particles were applied as a first positive electrode active material and single small particles were applied as a second positive electrode active material, volume capacity is reduced. Comparative Example 3 is understood to exhibit improved pellet density but significantly reduced discharge capacity and thus deteriorated volume capacity.
However, the Example, in which radial large particles as a first positive electrode active material and single small particles as a second positive electrode active material were concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) applied, exhibits improved volume capacity, even though the single particles are applied.
The all-solid-state battery cells of the Example and Comparative Examples 1 to 2 were initially charged and discharged in substantially the same manner as in Evaluation Example 2, and then 40 times repetitively charged and discharged at 0.33 C within a voltage range of 2.5 V to 4.25 V at 45° C. and evaluated with respect to life-cycle characteristics, and the results are shown in
Referring to
As a result, the positive electrode of the Example turns out to be an advantageous design in terms of energy density, initial capacity, initial efficiency, and life-cycle characteristics, compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” “a plurality of,” “one of,” and other prepositional phrases, when preceding a list of elements, should be understood as including the disjunctive if written as a conjunctive list and vice versa. For example, the expressions “at least one of a, b, or c,” “at least one of a, b, and/or c,” “one selected from the group consisting of a, b, and c,” “at least one selected from a, b, and c,” “at least one from among a, b, and c,” “one from among a, b, and c”, “at least one of a to c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.
As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. “Substantially” as used herein, is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “substantially” may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.
Also, any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all subranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited herein.
Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.”
The portable device, vehicle, and/or the battery, e.g., a battery controller, and/or any other relevant devices or components according to embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented utilizing any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g. an application-specific integrated circuit), software, or a combination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, the various components of the device may be formed on one integrated circuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Further, the various components of the device may be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), or formed on one substrate. Further, the various components of the device may be a process or thread, running on one or more processors, in one or more computing devices, executing computer program instructions and interacting with other system components for performing the various functionalities described herein. The computer program instructions are stored in a memory which may be implemented in a computing device using a standard memory device, such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The computer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitory computer readable media such as, for example, a CD-ROM, flash drive, or the like. Also, a person of skill in the art should recognize that the functionality of various computing devices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device, or the functionality of a particular computing device may be distributed across one or more other computing devices without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Although certain embodiments have been described in more detail above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be understood that by those of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the following claims, and equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0036820 | Mar 2022 | KR | national |
