A123 Systems has patented a method for surface doping electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries. This process involves rinsing the electrode with a dopant salt solution, resulting in a uniformly coated and doped material, achieved through a single-stage method that includes mixing, filtering, and heating. GlobalData’s report on A123 Systems gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on A123 Systems, Battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. A123 Systems's grant share as of June 2024 was 53%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Salt-rinse doping method for lithium-ion battery electrodes
The patent US12009507B2 outlines a method for producing a uniformly surface-coated electrode active material, which is particularly relevant for enhancing the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The process begins with dissolving a dopant salt in a rinsing solvent to create a dopant salt rinse solution. This solution is then used to rinse an electrode active material, resulting in a uniformly coated surface. The method involves mixing the electrode material with the rinse solution, which facilitates the dissolution of any residual lithium salts on the material's surface. During this process, a dopant precipitate forms, which is derived from the cation of the dopant salt and the anion of the residual lithium salt. The method further includes filtering the mixture to isolate a filtrate and drying it to obtain the coated material, which is subsequently heated to achieve a uniformly surface-doped electrode active material.
The claims also specify various compositions for the dopant salt, including cations such as Al, Mg, Mn, Co, and Ni, among others, with specific molar percentages outlined for inclusion in the final product. The electrode active materials can be either cathode or anode materials, with examples including lithium-rich NMC, LFP, and various forms of silicon and tin oxides. The rinsing solvent can be a range of organic solvents or water, allowing flexibility in the process. Additionally, the patent describes a method for coating cathode active materials using a similar approach, emphasizing the importance of the dopant's solubility characteristics in achieving effective surface doping. Overall, this patent presents a detailed methodology aimed at improving the electrochemical properties of electrode materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
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