Hybrid electrodes with both intercalation and conversion materials

Abstract

The disclosure set forth herein is directed to battery devices and methods therefor. More specifically, embodiments of the instant disclosure provide a battery electrode that comprises both intercalation chemistry material and conversion chemistry material, which can be used in automotive applications. There are other embodiments as well.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 944,502, filed Feb. 25, 2014, entitled HYBRID ELECTRODES WITH BOTH INTERCALATION AND CONVERSION MATERIALS, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 027,908, filed Jul. 23, 2014, entitled HYBRID ELECTRODES WITH BOTH INTERCALATION AND CONVERSION MATERIALS. Each of these provisional patent applications is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Recently, with the shortage of fossil-fuels and an increasing awareness of the adverse environmental effects from consuming fossil-fuels, public and private sectors have researched alternative and environmentally friendly technologies for storing and delivering energy, some of which include rechargeable batteries (i.e., secondary batteries, e.g., traction batteries). While many types of rechargeable batteries have been developed, the respective advantages an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The disclosure herein sets forth positive electrode compositions for electrochemical cells which include more than one type of positive electrode active material. In some embodiments, these electrodes include a conversion chemistry active material and an intercalation chemistry active material. In some of these embodiments, the intercalation voltage for the intercalation material may be above the conversion voltage for the conversion chemistry material, in which case the intercalation chemistry is utilized during recharge to provide a voltage ceiling. In some other embodiments, the intercalation voltage for the intercalation material may be below the conversion voltage for the conversion chemistry material, in which case the intercalation chemistry is utilized during discharge to provide a voltage floor. In certain embodiments, the upper operating voltage plateau (i.e., Voltage v. Li at full charge) of the conversion chemistry active material is below the operating voltage plateau for the intercalation chemistry active material, in which case the intercalation material provides a voltage ceiling when the electrochemical cell recharges. In certain embodiments, the upper operating voltage plateau (i.e., Voltage v. Li at full charge) of the conversion chemistry active material is between the upper operating voltage plateau and lower operating voltage plateau for the intercalation chemistry active material, in which case the intercalation material provides a voltage ceiling when the electrochemical cell recharges. In certain other embodiments, the lower operating voltage plateau (i.e., lower voltage limit, Voltage v. Li when discharged) of the intercalation chemistry active material is above the lower operating voltage plateau for the intercalation chemistry active material, in which case the intercalation material provides a voltage floor when the electrochemical cell discharges. In certain other embodiments, the operating voltage plateau (i.e., lower voltage limit, Voltage v. Li when discharged) of the intercalation chemistry active material is between the upper operating voltage plateau and the lower operating voltage plateau for the intercalation chemistry active material, in which case the intercalation material provides a voltage floor when the electrochemical cell discharges. In certain embodiments, the intercalation chemistry materials that are mixed with conversion chemistry material operate at a higher voltage than the intercalation regime voltage range for the conversion chemistry material. In certain other embodiments, the intercalation chemistry materials that are mixed with conversion chemistry materials operate at a lower voltage than the conversion regime voltage range for the conversion chemistry material. In yet other embodiments, the intercalation chemistry materials that are mixed with conversion chemistry materials operate at both a higher voltage than the intercalation regime voltage range for the conversion chemistry material and at a lower voltage than the conversion regime voltage range for the conversion chemistry active materials. Also set forth herein are methods of making and using these positive electrodes.

Problems solved by technology

While many types of rechargeable batteries have been developed, the respective advantages and disadvantages of each type has prevented the widespread commercialization of rechargeable batteries in many applications, particularly automotive applications (e.g., electric and hybrid vehicles), in part due to an inability to tailor the energy, power, cycle-ability, and cost considerations for a given battery to a given application.

For automotive (e.g., electric and hybrid vehicles) applications, high power and energy capacity, wide voltage operation range, and mechanical durability are all desirable characteristics, but unfortunately many conventional battery devices are insufficient in at least one of these respects for current and future automotive demands.

Since most high energy density batteries lack high power output capabilities, conventional rechargeable batteries have not been widely adopted for automotive applications.

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