High voltage cathode materials, electrolytes for Li-based batteries

This technology is a method for modifying lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathodes to provide improved operation voltage, specific capacity, and lifetime.

Unmet Need: Lithium batteries with higher energy, power and improved safety

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in various portable electronics, and lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) is currently used in more than 31% of such LIBs. LCO is an important cathode material due to its high theoretical energy storage capacity, but much of that theoretical capacity is inaccessible and incompatible with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolytes, which are gaining popularity as safer device components in regards to flammability. There is a need for economical methods that modify LCO to amend these shortcomings.

The Technology: Ceramic-modified cathode for Li-ion batteries with increased power and safety

This technology is a method for developing ceramic-modified LCO cathodes exhibiting improved operation voltage, specific capacity, and lifetime when tested in liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, this technology is compatible with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolytes, which increases safety by reducing flammability. This technology represents an economical solution to improving the capacity of LCO lithium ion batteries and facilitates the design of solid-state PE-based electrolyte lithium metal batteries, in order to improve various energy storage applications.

This technology enables improvements in the specific capacity and cycling stability at 4.5V with liquid electrolytes.

Applications:

• Cathode materials for Li-based batteries
• Cathode materials for other battery architectures
• Energy storage in portable electronics
• Electrode modification for similar systems

Advantages:

• Simple modification to an established technology
• Improved safety over current technologies
• Superior electronic characteristics compared to competing electrodes
• Cost-effective
• Increased operation voltage, capacity, and lifetime compared to existing Li-based batteries

Lead Inventor:

Yuan Yang, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

• Cheng Q, Li A, Li N, Li S, Zangiabadi A, Huang W, Li AC, Jin T, Song Q, Xu W, Ni N. “Stabilizing solid electrolyte-anode interface in Li-metal batteries by boron nitride-based nanocomposite coating” Joule. 2019 Jun 19; 3(6): 1510-22.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU19216

• Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu