Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. Awarded Patent for Positive Electrode Active Material Innovation

Strategic Insights -

Developed by three inventors from Japan, Jiro Okada, Taira Aida, and Tetsufumi Komukai, a patent has been assigned to Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. for their invention of a positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. The innovative material is designed to improve stability during manufacturing and increase battery capacity. By mixing fired powder containing lithium-metal composite oxide with a specific amount of water, the positive electrode active material exhibits improved output characteristics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patented invention aims to enhance the stability of the positive electrode mixed material paste during the manufacturing process of non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries.
  • The positive electrode active material is composed of lithium-metal composite oxide with a layered crystal structure, which is mixed with water in a specific amount to achieve a pH range of 11 to 11.9.
  • The mixture is then dried to form secondary particles through the agglomeration of primary particles, creating a high-capacity and high-performance positive electrode active material.
  • The method involves dispersing 5g of the positive electrode active material into 100mL of pure water to create a dispersion solution, which is then statically left for 10 minutes at 25°C.
  • The inventors, Jiro Okada, Taira Aida, and Tetsufumi Komukai, are affiliated with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. in Japan.
  • The patented invention, US 12418041 B2, was initially filed on March 22, 2017.

Statistics:

  • pH range of the supernatant after dispersion: 11 to 11.9
  • Amount of water mixed with the positive electrode active material: With an amount that falls within the pH range of 11 to 11.9
  • Temperature at which the pH is measured: 25°C
  • Time taken for the dispersion solution to be statically left: 10 minutes

Sources:

  • US 12418041 B2 (Patent for "Positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same, positive electrode mixed material paste for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery")