High capacity polymer cathode and high energy density rechargeable cell comprising the cathode

a polymer cathode and high energy density technology, applied in cell components, electrochemical generators, electrolytic capacitors, etc., can solve the problems of limited number of recharges, slow charge times of conventional lithium ion batteries, and eventual failure of batteries, etc., to achieve high ionic diffusivity and conductivity

Active Publication Date: 2021-08-19
IONIC MATERIALS INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The solid, ionically conductive polymer material can also be useful as a separator film, as it is electrically non-conductive, and ionically conductive. Therefore the solid, ionically conductive polymer material cast or otherwise rendered as a film can be used as a separator positioned between an anode and cathode. In addition, the solid, ionically conductive polymer material can be coated onto an electrode to function as a separator or alternatively to isolate the electrode or an electrode component from another battery component such as an aqueous electrolyte. The solid, ionically conductive polymer material enables ionic communication between such an isolated component despite it being physically separated, and electrically segmented from the rest of the battery component. The material can also comprise an aggregated or cast agglomeration of small particles of the solid, ionically conductive polymer material. Such an aggregation can take any shape but include an engineered porosity while possessing an engineered surface area. Fillers, such as hydrophobic materials can be mixed in the material to provide desirable physical properties such as low effective aqueous porosity. Thus the solid, ionically conductive polymer material can include a low or very high surface area, and or a low or very high porosity. Shapes such as an annulus and other moldable shapes can be engineering with desired physical properties with the ionic conductivity of the solid, ionically conductive polymer material are enabled by the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional batteries have limitations, however.
For example, lithium ion and other batteries generally employ a liquid electrolyte which is hazardous to humans and to the environment and which can be subject to fire or explosion.
Conventional liquid electrolyte suffers from the build-up of a solid interface layer at the electrode / electrolyte interface which causes eventual failure of the battery.
Conventional lithium ion batteries also exhibit slow charge times and suffer from a limited number of recharges since the chemical reaction within the battery reaches completion and limits the re-chargeability because of corrosion and dendrite formation.
While these methods have met with various degrees of success in limiting the polysulfide shuttle mechanism, they all rely on the use of expensive materials which are not well suited to large scale manufacturing.

Method used

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  • High capacity polymer cathode and high energy density rechargeable cell comprising the cathode
  • High capacity polymer cathode and high energy density rechargeable cell comprising the cathode
  • High capacity polymer cathode and high energy density rechargeable cell comprising the cathode

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

[0084]Solid polymer electrolyte was made by mixing PPS base polymer and ion source compound LiOH monohydrate in the proportion of 67% to 33% (by wt.), respectively, and mixed using jet milling. DDQ dopant was added to the resulting mixture in the amount of 1 mole of DDQ per 4.2 moles of PPS. The mixture was heat treated at 325 / 250° C. for 30 minutes under moderate pressure (500-1000 PSI). After cooling, the resulting material was grinded and placed into NMR fixture.

[0085]Self-diffusion coefficients were determined by using pulsed field gradient solid state NMR technique. The results shown in FIG. 20 indicates, that Li+ diffusivity in the solid polymer electrolyte is the highest of any known solid, and over an order of magnitude higher at room temperature compared to recently developed Li10GeP2S12 ceramic at much higher temperatures (140° C.) or the best PEO formulation at 90° C.

example 2

[0086]PPS base polymer and ion source compound LiOH monohydrate were added together in the proportion of 67% to 33% (wt / wt), respectively, and were mixed using jet milling. DDQ dopant was added to the resulting mixture in the amount of 1 mole of DDQ per 4.2 moles of PPS. The mixture was compression molded at 325° C. / 250° C. for 30 minutes under low pressure. The polymer-sulfur composite cathode was prepared by additionally mixing from 25% to 50% of sulfur powder, 5% to 15% of C45 carbon black, and 0% to 10% LiNO3 with the solid, ionically conducting polymer material. The materials were compression molded onto stainless steel mesh (Dexmet) at 120° C. for 30 minutes, yielding a cathode disc 15 mm in diameter and 0.3 to 0.4 mm thick.

[0087]The resulting cathodes were used to assemble test cells in 2035 coin cell hardware. Polypropylene separator (Celgard) 25 microns thick and 19 mm in diameter was used along with lithium foil anode material, 15 mm in diameter. A liquid electrolyte of 1M...

example 3

[0090]Composite polymer-sulfur cathodes were manufactured as described in Example 16. These cathodes were assembled into coin cells using lithium metal anodes, polypropylene separator, and 1M LiTFSI in DOL / DME electrolyte with 0.5M LiNO3 additive.

[0091]Cells were discharged under constant current conditions (1 mA) using a Maccor 4600 battery test system. Discharge was terminated at a voltage of 1.75 V. Charge was accomplished in two steps, the first at a lower charge rate of 0.2 mA current to a maximum voltage of 2.3 V, and the second charge step at a higher rate of 1 mA current to a maximum voltage of 2.45 V. The overall charge capacity was limited for these test cells. These cells were allowed to cycle several times at room temperature.

[0092]FIG. 20 shows the discharge capacity curve plotted as a function of cycle number for Li / composite polymer-sulfur cell of the present invention. The capacity curve graph shows that the composite polymer-sulfur cathode will support reversible ch...

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Abstract

The invention features a rechargeable cathode and a battery comprising the cathode. The cathode includes a solid, ionically conducting polymer material and electroactive sulfur. The battery contains a lithium anode; the cathode; and an electrolyte; wherein at least one of anode, the cathode and the electrolyte, include the solid, ionically conducting polymer material.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0001]N / ABACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Batteries have become increasingly important in modern society, both in powering a multitude of portable electronic devices, as well as being key components in new green technologies. These new technologies offer the promise of removing the dependence on current energy sources such as coal, petroleum products, and natural gas which contribute to the production of by-product green-house gases. Furthermore, the ability to store energy in both stationary and mobile applications is critical to the success of new energy sources, and is likely to sharply increase the demand for all sizes of advanced batteries. Especially for batteries for large applications, a low base cost of the battery will be key to the introduction and overall success of these applications.[0003]Conventional batteries have limitations, however. For example, lithium ion and other batteries generally employ a liquid...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01M4/36H01M4/38H01M4/60H01M4/62
CPCH01M4/364H01M4/38H01M2004/028H01M4/625H01M4/602H01M4/58H01M10/052H01M10/0565H01M2300/0082H01G11/06H01G11/48H01G11/50H01G11/86Y02E60/10H01G9/00H01M4/13Y02E60/13
Inventor ZIMMERMAN, MICHAEL A.LEISING, RANDYGAVRILOV, ALEXEI B.SMITH, KEITHTEOLI, ANDY
Owner IONIC MATERIALS INC
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