Niobium Oxide Compositions and Methods for Using Same

• US 20120052401A1
• Filed: 07/29/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Goodenough, John B., Han, Jian-Tao
• Granted Patent: US 8,647,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/341
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 33/00 Compounds of niobium
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 33/006 Compounds containing, besides niobium, two or more other elements, with the exception of oxygen or hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/72 by d-values or two theta-values, e.g. as X-ray diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/77 by unit-cell parameters, atom positions or structure diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/03 obtained by SEM
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/04 obtained by TEM, STEM, STM or AFM
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2006/40 Electric properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/485 of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy H01M4/505, H01M4/525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/505 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/525 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The disclosure relates a niobium oxide useful in anodes of secondary lithium ion batteries. Such niobium oxide has formula Li_xM_1−yNb_yNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦x≦3, 0≦y≦1, and M represents Ti or Zr. The niobium oxide may be in the form of particles, which may be carbon coated. The disclosure also relates to an electrode composition containing at least one or more niobium oxides of formula Li_xM_1−yNb_yNb₂O₇. The disclosure further relates to electrodes, such as anodes, and batteries containing at least one or more niobium oxides of formula Li_xM_1−yNb_yNb₂O₇. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to methods of forming the above.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a niobium oxide comprising the general formula Li_xM₁₋

yNb_yNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦

x≦

3, 0≦

y≦

1 and M represent Ti or Zr.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the niobium oxide comprises the general formula Li_xTiNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦

x≦

3.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the niobium oxide comprises the general formula Li_xTi₁₋

yNb_yNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦

x≦

3 and 0≦

y≦

1.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the niobium oxide is in the form of a particle.

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the niobium oxide is in the form of agglomerated particles.

6. The composition according to claim 4, further comprising a carbon coating on the niobium oxide.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the carbon coating represents up to 3% by weight of the total weight of carbon coating and niobium oxide.

8. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic conducting agent and/or a binder.

9. The composition according to claim 8, the composition comprising 60 to 75% by weight niobium oxide or niobium oxide and carbon coating, 15 to 30% by weight electronic conducting agent, and 0 to 10% by weight binder.

10. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the electronic conducting agent is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, acetylene back, graphite, carbon nanotubes, and any combinations thereof.

11. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethylmethacrylate, and any combinations thereof.

12. A lithium ion secondary battery comprising:

an anode, the anode further comprising a niobium oxide comprising the general formula Li_xM<sub>1−

y</sub>Nb_yNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦

x≦

3, 0≦

y≦

1 and M represent Ti or Zr,

a cathode, and

an electrolyte.

13. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the niobium oxide comprises the general formula Li_xTiNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦

x<

3.

14. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the niobium oxide comprises the general formula Li_xTi₁₋

yNb_yNb₂O₇, wherein 0≦

x≦

3 and 0≦

y≦

1.

15. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the niobium oxide is in the form of a particle.

16. The battery according to claim 15, wherein the niobium oxide is in the form of agglomerated particles.

17. The battery according to claim 15, further comprising a carbon coating on the niobium oxide.

18. The battery according to claim 17, wherein the carbon coating represents up to 3% by weight of the total weight of carbon coating and niobium oxide.

19. The battery according to claim 12, the anode further comprising an electronic conducting agent and/or a binder.

20. The battery according to claim 19, the anode comprising 60 to 75% by weight niobium oxide or niobium oxide and carbon coating, 15 to 30% by weight electronic conducting agent, and 0 to 10% by weight binder.

21. The battery according to claim 20, wherein the electronic conducting agent comprises a material is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, acetylene back, graphite, carbon nanotubes, and any combinations thereof.

22. The battery according to claim 20, wherein the binder comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethylmethacrylate, and any combinations thereof.

23. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the cathode comprises an active material operable to allow reversible insertion of lithium ions.

24. The battery according to claim 23, wherein the cathode comprises Li[Ni_0.5Mn_1.5]O₄.

25. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a liquid solvent or in a polymer.

26. The battery according to claim 25, wherein the lithium salt comprises a material selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalcanesulfonates, bis(perfluoro-alkylsulfonyl) imides, perchlorate, hexafluorophosphate, tetrafluoroborate, and any combinations thereof.

27. The battery according to claim 25, wherein the liquid solvent comprises an organic carbonate or an ionic liquid.

28. The battery according to claim 25, the polymer comprises a polar solvating, crosslinked, or non-crosslinked polymer.