Anode active material, method for manufacturing the same, and lithium secondary battery comprising the same

Fast-charging porous silicon-carbon spherical anode material incorporating 1D nano-LTO

This technology combines the high theoretical capacity of silicon with the superior rate capability and structural stability of lithium titanium oxide (LTO) into a single porous spherical composite. Specifically, the integration of 1D nano-structured LTO enhances both electrical and lithium-ion conductivity within the composite.

Conventional graphite anodes have clear limitations in theoretical capacity, while high-capacity silicon materials suffer from particle degradation due to volume expansion during charge/discharge cycles, leading to reduced lifespan. Furthermore, they have struggled to meet the high-speed charging performance required for the commercialization of electric vehicles.

This technology consists of porous spherical particles produced by spray-drying a mixture of LTO (in nanowire, nanorod, or nanofiber form), silicon-containing materials, and crystalline carbon. It is designed so that the crystalline carbon buffers silicon expansion, while the 1D LTO provides pathways for high-speed charging. Amorphous carbon coating can be added to further enhance electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. Applicable as an anode material for EVs requiring rapid charging or as a high-capacity blending material to replace graphite, it helps reduce charging wait times while maintaining cell energy density.

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Key Features:

• A porous spherical composite containing a mixture of lithium titanium oxide, silicon-containing material, and crystalline carbon, with a plurality of internal pores.
• Lithium titanium oxide included in the composite in the form of 1D nanowires, nanorods, or nanofibers.
• Anode active material composed of 3 to 60 parts by weight of silicon-containing material, 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of lithium titanium oxide, and 30 to 95 parts by weight of crystalline carbon.
• A step of manufacturing a porous composite by spray-drying a dispersion containing LTO, silicon-containing material, crystalline carbon, and a dispersant.

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development of manufacturing processes for cathode/anode materials and electrodes to achieve high-rate characteristics in lithium secondary batteries for frequency regulation.

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