Encapsulated lithium titanate for lithium ion batteries
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsZhongyi Liu, Zhiqiang Yu
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Abstract
A lithium ion battery including an electrolyte and a lithium titanate negative electrode is provided. The lithium titanate negative electrode includes structures of a lithium titanate core and a conformal layer surrounding each lithium titanate core. The conformal layer either includes titanium oxide with substantially no lithium or has a concentration of lithium ranging from a lower concentration at a surface portion of the layer to a higher concentration at an interior portion of the layer adjacent to the lithium titanate core. A method of preparing the lithium titanate structures and a method of preparing an electrode for a lithium ion battery, wherein the electrode includes lithium titanate structures, are also provided.
Claims17
A lithium ion battery, comprising:
- an electrolyte;
- and
- a lithium titanate negative electrode including structures of a lithium titanate core and a conformal layer surrounding each lithium titanate core, wherein the conformal layer:
- includes titanium oxide and
- has a lithium gradient having a concentration of lithium ranging from a lower concentration at a surface portion of the layer to a higher concentration at an interior portion of the layer adjacent to the lithium titanate core.
A method, comprising:
- leaching a lithium titanate precursor structure with an acid to form a lithium titanate structure including a lithium titanate core and a conformal layer on the lithium titanate core, wherein the conformal layer includes titanium oxide;
- and
- heat-treating the lithium titanate structure, thereby forming a lithium gradient in the conformal layer, wherein the lithium gradient has a concentration of lithium ranging from a lower concentration at a surface portion of the layer to a higher concentration at an interior portion of the layer adjacent to the lithium titanate core.
An electrode for a lithium ion battery, the electrode comprising lithium titanate structures, the structures each having a lithium titanate core and a conformal layer surrounding each lithium titanate core, wherein the conformal layer:
- includes titanium oxide and
- has a concentration of lithium ranging from a lower concentration at a surface portion of the layer to a higher concentration at an interior portion of the layer adjacent to the lithium titanate core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.