Sodium Ion Cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for providing a sodium-ion cell and / or a sodium-ion battery having a state of charge of about 20% or less. Sodium-ion cells and / or batteries are also disclosed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for providing sodium-ion cells and / or batteries, such as rechargeable sodium-ion cells and / or batteries, that can be safely transported and / or stored. The present invention also relates to energy storage devices that include one or more of these sodium-ion cells, including, for example, batteries, battery modules, battery packs, electrochemical devices, and electrochromic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Sodium-ion batteries are similar in many ways to the currently commonly used lithium-ion batteries; they are both reusable secondary cells that contain an anode (negative electrode), a cathode (positive electrode) and electrolyte materials, both can store energy, and both charge and discharge via similar reaction mechanisms. When a sodium-ion (or lithium-ion) battery is being charged, Na+ (or Li+) ions deintercalate from the cathode and are inserted into the anode; meanwhile, charge-balancing electrons pass from the cathode, through an external circuit containing the charger, and into the battery's anode. The same process occurs during discharge, but in the reverse direction.

[0003] Lithium-ion battery technology has received much attention in recent years, providing the preferred portable battery for most electronic devices in use today; however, lithium is not a cheap source of the metal and is considered too expensive for use in large-scale applications. In contrast, sodium-ion battery technology is still in its relative infancy, but is considered advantageous; sodium is much more abundant than lithium, and some researchers predict that this will provide a cheaper and more durable way to store energy in the future, especially for large-scale applications such as storing energy on the power grid. Nevertheless, there is still much research that needs to be done before sodium-ion batteries can be commercialized.

[0004] The International PCT application published as WO 2016 / 027082 A1 discloses a process for making sodium-ion cells that can be safely stored and / or transported. This is done by discharging a charged / discharged sodium-ion cell between -0.1 and 1 V, thereby producing a sodium-ion cell that is at a state of charge (SOC) of 0% to 20%. Although this process is clearly advantageous, it is somewhat limiting in the sense that discharging the charged / discharged sodium-ion cell is preferably done at a low C-rate (i.e., a rate of C / 100 is the most preferred discharge rate).

[0005] For the avoidance of doubt, C-rate is the discharge current divided by the theoretical current draw at which a sodium-ion cell would deliver its nominal rated capacity in a specified time.

[0006] In most circumstances, a commercial manufacturer would not want to spend 100 hours preparing such a cell. On the other hand, a commercial manufacturer would not want to prepare an inferior quality cell if they operated the process for a short period of time (i.e., less than 100 hours). In some cases, the manufacturer would not want to operate the process in a way that adversely affects the electrochemical performance of the cell.

[0007] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a process that provides sodium-ion cells and / or batteries at, for example, about 20% or less state of charge, but that can be prepared in a relatively short time (i.e., less than 100 hours), and preferably does not substantially adversely affect the electrochemical performance of the cells and / or batteries, including, for example, a reduction in capacity to the original charge capacity of the cells or batteries.

[0008] Another factor to consider is the safety of the cell. With respect to lithium-ion cells, a fundamental problem is that they are inherently dangerous to transport and / or store, since in most cases lithium-ion cells are not safe i) when stored in a fully discharged state, or ii) when discharged to or near 0 volts. This is because copper from the current collector for the anode (negative) electrode dissolves into the electrolyte as copper ions, and upon subsequent recharging, the dissolved copper ions precipitate on the interior surfaces of the cell, forming conductive paths. This not only reduces the capacity of the cell, but also leads to the formation of internal short circuits and subsequent thermal runaway in the lithium-ion cell.

[0009] Discharging a lithium-ion cell to 0V or near 0V (even if the cell is not recharged) can have serious consequences, as the internal microstructure of the cell is already compromised by that point. For example, issues such as internal shorts due to the growth of copper dendritic metals, reduced mechanical integrity of the separator, weakened anode attachment to the copper current collector (due to dissolution of the copper current collector during overdischarge), reduced porosity within the cathode, and blockage of electrochemically active sites on the cathode can not only result in rapid capacity loss, but also serious thermal hazards, such as dangerous temperature spikes that can cause thermal runaway.

[0010] Naturally, this is a major concern, especially for airlines, and in an effort to mitigate these safety concerns, in 2013 the International Civil Aviation Organization introduced very strict regulations for bulk air transport of lithium-based cells, implementing rules to control both the size of lithium-ion batteries that are permitted to be transported (watt hours rating and amount of lithium) as well as the number of batteries permitted in each consignment.

[0011] Therefore, the best known method for handling lithium-ion battery cells is to ensure that the lithium-ion battery is conditioned immediately after manufacture by a process that includes at least two or three charge / discharge cycles, followed by a final charge to a charge level of at least about 30-40%, thereby avoiding any storage conditions at or near 0 volts. The cells must then be evacuated and finally resealed before they are ready for storage and / or transportation.

[0012] While the disclosure of WO 2016 / 027082 A1 demonstrates some clear advantages of sodium-ion cells over lithium-ion cells, there remains an ongoing need to make sodium-ion cells safer. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a process for providing sodium-ion cells (not half cells) and / or batteries, wherein the resulting sodium-ion cells and / or batteries are provided in a safer state than sodium-ion cells and / or batteries produced according to one or more processes known in the art.

[0013] A recent report titled "Thermal Stability of High Power 26650-Type Cylindrical Na-Ion batteries," Chin. Phys.Lett. Vol.38, No.7(2021)076501, describes the safety test results of high power 26650-type cylindrical sodium-ion cells in a fully charged state. The tests include (a) external short circuit test, (b) overheat test, (c) overcharge test, (d) overdischarge test, (e) crush test, and (f) nail penetration test.

[0014] The report details that sodium-ion cells containing layered oxide cathodes and hard carbon anodes can be discharged to approximately -2.5 V, then recharged and cycled between 4.0 V and 1.5 V. With no apparent temperature change and the ability to recover capacity after an overdischarge event, the researchers conclude that this (along with results from overheating, overcharging, crushing, and nail penetration tests) demonstrates the "good safety" of sodium-ion batteries.

[0015] However, with regard to over-discharge testing, researchers have only established this "good safety" in terms of a single discharge to -2.5V. Discharging to -2.5V more than once has not been shown to have any effect on whether a sodium-ion cell is prone to smoke, become extremely hot, catch fire, or explode. Thus, the prior art does not teach whether a sodium-ion cell discharged to -2.5V will be safe to store and / or transport and / or maintain.

[0016] Furthermore, although the researchers claim that the capacity of sodium-ion cells "can be recovered after an over-discharge event," it is not clear to what extent the original discharge capacity was affected by the over-discharge event. Thus, the researchers have not established any kind of effect that the over-discharge event had on the original or expected charge capacity of the sodium-ion cells.

[0017] Finally, since their experimental data does not specify the C-rate of the charge / discharge, it is unclear from this report whether the discharge had to be performed at a fast or slow rate. It is therefore unclear whether all or substantially all (80-100%) of the charge was actually dissipated as a result of the single over-discharge process they describe. Since the charge in the cell is not completely or substantially dissipated without a slow discharge, and the researchers did not specify the C-rate of the charge / discharge, it is expected that it will be unclear how much charge actually remains in the cell after the discharge process, specifically whether this is 20% or less.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS The present invention therefore aims to mitigate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0019] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 027082 A1 [Non-patent literature]

[0020] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Thermal Stability of High Power 26650-Type Cylindrical Na-Ion batteries", Chin. Phys.Lett. Vol.38, No.7(2021)076501 Summary of the Invention

[0021] In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for providing a sodium-ion cell having a state of charge of about 20% or less, and preferably capable of safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, comprising the steps of: a) providing a sodium-ion cell, which preferably includes a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte; and b) subjecting the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to one or more discharge operations, preferably at a discharge rate of C / <10, to a minimum cell operating voltage (i.e. cell Vmin) of less than -0.1 V; The process further comprises:

[0022] As used herein, the phrase "state of charge" is intended to be interpreted in its broadest sense and to mean either the "instantaneous state of charge" or the "true state of charge." The "state of charge" can be positive or, as defined below, can be negative.

[0023] As used herein, the phrase "instantaneous state of charge" is intended to mean the capacity available at a measured voltage as the capacity ratio between V=0 and Vmax (e.g., 4.3V), measured by drawing current. Since Vmin according to the present invention has a voltage less than -0.1V, we define herein that a "negative" instantaneous state of charge exists when there is a non-zero capacity between Vmin and V=0. This is observed and illustrated in the examples disclosed herein.

[0024] As used herein, the phrase "true state of charge" is intended to mean the capacity available at the open circuit voltage (OCV) and measured without drawing current, as the capacity ratio between V=0 and Vmax (e.g., 4.3V). Thus, the OCV provides a "true" indication of the actual state of charge, and a lower OCV is an indication of a lower state of charge. However, if the OCV is a negative value, damage may have occurred to the cell or battery, which is clearly undesirable.

[0025] As used herein, the term "overdischarge" means discharging to below -0.1V. The sodium-ion cells provided in step a) of the process of the invention are preferably subjected to a conditioning process (also known as a "formation" process) involving one or more charge and discharge (i.e. charge / discharge) operations prior to step b). That is, they are pre-charged sodium-ion cells. The sodium-ion cells provided in step a) may be subjected to a conditioning process involving two or three charge and discharge operations, optionally followed by degassing, prior to step b).

[0026] For purposes of this disclosure, a cell is described as "pristine" if it has been subjected to a conditioning process but has not thereafter been used with an application device. Similarly, a cell is described as "non-pristine" if it has been subjected to a conditioning process and is then used with an application device. An application device is any device that utilizes a cell or battery. An electric vehicle or a cell phone are examples of application devices.

[0027] Thus, the acts involved in "discharging the sodium-ion cell" in step b) are substantially the same whether step b) is performed on a sodium-ion cell that has been subjected to a conditioning process but is not thereafter used with an application device (a "pristine cell") or whether step b) is performed on a sodium-ion cell that has been subjected to a conditioning process and is then used with an application device (a "non-pristine cell").

[0028] When step b) is performed on a sodium cell that has been subjected to a conditioning process but has not yet thereafter been used with an application device (a "pristine cell"), step b) can be conveniently performed immediately after step a).

[0029] The sodium-ion cell provided in step a) of the process of the present invention may have been subjected to a conditioning process so that step b) may be performed on the sodium-ion cell in a charged pristine state, a discharged pristine state, a charged non-pristine state, or an uncharged non-pristine state.

[0030] For the avoidance of doubt, it is not possible to carry out the process of the present invention on pristine and / or non-pristine lithium ion cells when the cells are at a voltage below -0.1V as the copper dissolution reaction occurs.

[0031] The acts involved in "providing a sodium-ion cell" in step a) can encompass constructing a sodium-ion cell. Thus, step a) can include constructing a sodium-ion cell including a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte. Alternatively, step a) of the present invention can simply include providing and / or supplying a pre-constructed sodium-ion cell. Thus, step a) may or may not include any such construction and / or fabrication of the sodium-ion cell.

[0032] Step b) of the process of the present invention dissipates the charge of the sodium-ion cell provided in step a), resulting in a sodium-ion cell at a state of charge of 20% or less. The resulting sodium-ion cell is preferably at a state of charge of about -20% to about 20%, more preferably about -10% to about 10%. Ideally, the process of the present invention provides a sodium-ion cell at a state of charge of about -5% to about 20%, more ideally about -5% to about 10%.

[0033] Step b) of the process of the invention involves discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a voltage (cell Vmin) of less than -0.1 V. Ideally, this is from less than -0.1 V to about -5 V, optionally from less than -0.1 V to about -2.5 V, optionally from less than -0.1 V to about -2.0 V, preferably from less than -0.1 V to about -1.7 V. These voltage (cell Vmin) ranges are particularly desirable at discharge rates of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, and very preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5.

[0034] When step b) is performed on a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell, it is particularly desirable to have an end point (e.g., −2.5 V or −1.7 V). In one embodiment, step b) of the present invention involves discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a voltage (cell Vmin) of less than −0.1 V to about −1.5 V, optionally less than −0.1 V to about −1.0 V.

[0035] Step b) of the present invention involves discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a voltage (cell Vmin) preferably of less than −0.5 V to about −5 V, more preferably less than −0.5 V to about −2.5 V, even more preferably less than −0.5 V to about −2.1 V, and most preferably less than −0.5 V to about −1.7 V. These voltage (cell Vmin) ranges are particularly desirable at discharge rates of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, and highly preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5.

[0036] In one embodiment, step b) of the present invention involves discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a voltage (cell Vmin) of less than -0.1 V, optionally to about -0.2 V or less, optionally to about -0.5 V or less, optionally to about -0.9 V or less, optionally to about -1.0 V or less, optionally to about -1.4 V or less, and optionally to about -1.6 V or less.

[0037] As stated above, a desirable object of the present invention is to provide a process in which the resulting sodium-ion cell and / or battery is in a safer state than a sodium-ion cell and / or battery produced according to one or more processes known in the art. The phrase "safer state" means that the resulting sodium-ion cell and / or battery has a lower state of charge than a comparative sodium-ion cell and / or battery discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1 V or more. Thus, the effect attributable to the present invention, and in particular to discharging the sodium-ion cell to a voltage (cell Vmin) below -0.1 V in step b), is that the state of charge from the resulting sodium-ion cell is lower than that from a comparative sodium-ion cell discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1 V or more. This is because the percentage of charge remaining in a sodium-ion cell discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) below -0.1 V is lower than the percentage of charge remaining in a comparative cell discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1 V or more. Thus, the present invention provides a sodium-ion cell that is in a safer state than a sodium-ion cell discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1V or more. Moreover, the sodium-ion cell resulting from the process of the present invention surprisingly does not pose the risk of fire and explosion associated with discharging a comparable lithium-ion cell to a voltage (cell Vmin) below -0.1V. Thus, such a resulting sodium-ion cell is surprisingly safe to store and / or safe to transport and / or safe to maintain. Moreover, the expected life span of the resulting sodium-ion cell is also expected to be longer than a lithium-ion cell. This is because such a sodium-ion cell can withstand discharge to a voltage (cell Vmin) below -0.1V without affecting the conventional or expected charge capacity.

[0038] The sodium-ion cell provided in step a) ideally has a maximum operating cell voltage (cell Vmax) based on the electrochemistry of the cell, e.g., as assigned by the manufacturer. The sodium-ion cell (pristine or non-pristine) provided in step a) preferably has an assigned cell Vmax of about 1.0V to about 5.0V, ideally 3.0V to 4.5V. For example, highly preferred sodium-ion cells provided in step a) of the process of the invention may use an alkali metal-containing oxide-based (cathode) chemistry and thus have a cell Vmax of about 4.0V to about 4.5V, ideally about 4.0V to about 4.3V. Alternatively, the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) of the process of the invention may use a Prussian blue analog (including Prussian white) or phosphate-based (cathode) chemistry and thus have a cell Vmax of about 3.0V to about 3.9V.

[0039] Preferably, step a) comprises a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell. As used herein, "a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell" is intended to mean a cell that can be charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of the cell Vmax.

[0040] It will be appreciated that a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity of the cell can be a pristine sodium-ion cell, and thus such a sodium-ion cell can be chargeable to ≧90%-100% of its cell Vmax.

[0041] It will also be appreciated that a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell may be a non-pristine sodium-ion cell. During the life of the sodium-ion cell, variations from the cell Vmax may occur, which may be most noticeable during aging of the sodium-ion cell in use (e.g., when used with an application device). Thus, such a sodium-ion cell may be chargeable to ≧50%-100% of its cell Vmax.

[0042] A further advantage resulting from the present invention, particularly the preferred embodiment in which step a) involves a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell, is that the electrochemical performance of the resulting sodium-ion cell is substantially unaffected. Moreover, after extended storage and charging to their conventional and / or expected charge capacity, the resulting sodium-ion cells can be cycled from a cell Vmin of 0V to their conventional and / or expected charge capacity, for example indefinitely, or at least more than 100 times, or at least more than 20 times, again without causing any damage to the conventional charge capacity of the cell. Additionally, cycling from a cell Vmin of 0V to a cell Vmax of about 1.0V to about 5.0V (preferably, about 3.0V to about 4.5V) can be performed with rest periods at or near a cell Vmin of 0V between each cycle of at least 30 minutes, optionally at least 1 hour, optionally at least 4 hours, optionally at least 8 hours, optionally at least 12 hours, optionally at least 24 hours, and optionally at least 96 hours, again without affecting the charge capacity of the cell.

[0043] In one embodiment, step a) includes sodium-ion cells that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell, also known as "dead cells" or "defective cells." As used herein, this is intended to mean sodium-ion cells that cannot be charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of the cell Vmax based on the electrochemistry of the cell, e.g., as provided by the manufacturer.

[0044] It will be appreciated that a sodium-ion cell that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity of the cell may be a pristine sodium-ion cell, and thus such a cell may not be capable of being charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of the cell Vmax.

[0045] It will also be appreciated that a sodium-ion cell that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity of the cell may be a non-pristine sodium-ion cell, and thus such a cell may not be capable of being charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of the cell Vmax.

[0046] A further advantage of the present invention, particularly in embodiments where step a) involves a sodium-ion cell that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell, is that the resulting sodium-ion cell is in a safer state due to a lower percentage of charge (if any) remaining in the cell, and therefore such a sodium-ion cell can be safely stored and / or safely transported and / or safely maintained, and / or safely destroyed where appropriate.

[0047] As noted above, another desirable object of the present invention is to provide a process for providing a sodium-ion cell and / or battery at, for example, 20% or less state of charge, that can be provided in a relatively short time (i.e., less than 100 hours). Although low discharge rates (C / 20 or C / 100) are more likely to result in a sodium-ion cell with all or substantially all of the charge dissipated, prior art methods only teach that the sodium-ion cell should be discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1V or greater. Therefore, it would be highly beneficial to dissipate all or substantially all of the charge from the sodium-ion cell at high discharge rates (C / <10), thus obtaining a sodium-ion cell at a 20% or less state of charge in a shorter time.

[0048] The preferred method of discharging the sodium-ion cell in step b) of the present invention is to draw a constant current at a discharge rate of C / <10 until the sodium-ion cell exhibits a voltage (cell Vmin) less than -0.1V. A discharge rate of C / <10 means that the discharge current discharges the entire sodium-ion cell in less than 10 hours. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a discharge charge rate of C / <10 can also be expressed as >0.1C (i.e., less than 1÷10 hours=>0.1C).

[0049] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / <10 (i.e., greater than 0.1 C (>0.1 C)) to about 4000C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 1000C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 500C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 200C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 150C, and optionally from about C / <10 to about 50C.

[0050] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧0.1 (10C), optionally C / <10 to C / ≧0.33 (3C), further optionally C / <10 to C / ≧0.5 (2C).

[0051] Therefore, a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧0.1 (10C) means that the discharge current discharges the entire sodium-ion cell in a period of time greater than 6 minutes (i.e., C / ≧0.1 × 60 min = 6 minutes) but less than 10 hours (i.e., C / <10).

[0052] An advantage of this preferred method is that, since the cells of step b) can be safely discharged to voltages (cell Vmin) below -0.1 V as described above, a higher discharge rate can be used to dissipate all, or substantially all, of the charge from the resulting sodium-ion cell in a shorter time. Furthermore, the state of charge of the resulting sodium-ion cells discharged to voltages (cell Vmin) below -0.1 V at a discharge rate of C / <10 was found to be closer to 0% than comparative sodium-ion cells discharged to voltages (cell Vmin) of 0 V (i.e., -0.1 V or greater).

[0053] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / ≦8, optionally C / ≦6, optionally C / ≦4, optionally C / ≦2, optionally C / ≦1, and optionally C / ≦0.5.

[0054] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧2. The discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is preferably at a discharge rate of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, more preferably C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.5. The discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is very preferably at a discharge rate of C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.1, most preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5. As mentioned above, a discharge rate of C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5 means that the discharge current discharges the entire sodium-ion cell for a period of 30 minutes or more (i.e., C / ≧0.5×60 minutes=30 minutes or more) to 2 hours or less (i.e., C / ≦2).

[0055] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / 2, and optionally C / 0.5 (2C). In embodiments where step a) involves a sodium-ion cell capable of being charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacities, step b) of the present invention is preferably carried out at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / >0.1 (10 C), optionally C / <10 to C / >0.33 (3 C), and further optionally C / <10 to C / >0.5 (2 C). In such embodiments, discharge rates of C / <5 to C / >0.1 are preferred, with C / <2 to C / >0.5 being highly preferred.

[0056] In embodiments where step a) involves a sodium-ion cell that cannot be charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity, step b) of the present invention is preferably carried out at a discharge rate of about 12 C or greater (also expressed as C / ≦0.083). A discharge rate of 12 C or greater therefore means that the discharge current will discharge the entire sodium-ion cell in less than 5 minutes.

[0057] In embodiments where step a) involves a sodium-ion cell that cannot be charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacities, step b) of the present invention is preferably carried out at a discharge rate of from about 12C or more to about 4000C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 1000C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 500C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 200C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 150C or less.

[0058] In embodiments in which step a) comprises a sodium-ion cell capable of being charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacities and comprising a positive electrode material comprising an alkali metal-containing oxide, step b) of the present invention can be carried out at a preferred discharge rate of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, highly preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5.

[0059] In one embodiment, the process of the present invention can further include step c) comprising maintaining the sodium ion at a voltage of 1 V or less. Thus, the sodium ion cell provided in step a) can be maintained at a voltage above the cell Vmin (as defined herein) of the sodium ion cell. Step c) can be performed immediately after step b).

[0060] A desirable objective of the present invention is to produce a sodium-ion cell with the lowest possible percentage of charge, less than about 20%. Thus, advantageously, step c) can be useful in dissipating residual charge from the sodium-ion cell, thus providing a resulting sodium-ion cell with the lowest possible percentage of charge, in the range of about -20% to 20%, preferably -10% to 10%, and ideally in the range of about -5% to about 20%, and even more ideally in the range of about -5% to about 10%.

[0061] Provided that the sodium ion cell resulting from the process of the present invention is stable for extended periods of time, step c) can be carried out for a period of time, for example, 1 minute or more. Step c) can be carried out for extended periods of time, for example, at least 30 minutes, optionally at least 1 hour, optionally at least 4 hours, optionally at least 8 hours, and optionally at least 24 hours.

[0062] In one embodiment, step c) comprises maintaining the sodium-ion cell at a voltage of 1 V or less, optionally 0.5 V or less, optionally 0 V, optionally 0 V or less, optionally -0.1 V or less, and optionally less than -0.1 V. In one embodiment, step c) comprises maintaining the sodium-ion cell at a voltage of about 1 V to about -5.0 V, preferably about 1 V to about -2.5 V, more preferably about 1 V to about -2.0 V, and more preferably about 1 V to about -1.70 V. Step c) can also comprise maintaining the sodium-ion cell at a voltage of about 1 V to about 0 V.

[0063] In one embodiment, step c) can include maintaining the sodium-ion cell at said voltage using a removable shorting device as described below. Alternatively, or additionally, the process can further include step d), which includes removing the removable shorting device as described below.

[0064] In one embodiment, the process of the invention can include an initial step of performing a conditioning cycle. That is, the invention provides a process for providing a sodium-ion cell at a state of charge of about 20% or less, and preferably capable of safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a sodium-ion cell to a conditioning cycle, the sodium-ion cell preferably including a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte; and b) subjecting the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to one or more discharge operations, preferably at a discharge rate of C / <10, to a voltage (i.e. cell Vmin) of less than -0.1 V; The process further comprises:

[0065] As noted above, a conditioning cycle is typically one or more charge and discharge operations (or as otherwise defined above). A typical conditioning cycle as in step a) above comprises the following: i) providing a sodium-ion cell that has not been subjected to a charging operation, the sodium-ion cell preferably comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte; ii) charging the sodium-ion cell from a first voltage to a second voltage, the second voltage being between about 2 V and about 4.5 V, the charging being carried out at a rate of between about C / 2 and about C / 50, and optionally, the second voltage being maintained for between about 5 minutes and about 10 hours or until the current value of the cell drops to a current value corresponding to between C / 5 and C / 100; iii) discharging the sodium-ion cell from a second voltage to a third voltage, the third voltage being between about 0 V and 3 V, and the discharging being performed at a rate between about C / 2 and about C / 50; and iv) optionally repeating steps ii) and iii) one or more times; may include.

[0066] The first voltage is lower than the second voltage. Optionally, the first voltage is -0.5V or greater. Ideally, it is between -0.35V and 1V. The charge / discharge rate is typically a rate such as C / 10, but may be C / 2, C / 5, or C / 50. Ideally, it is between C / 5 and about C / 10.

[0067] A person skilled in the art will also know that different conditioning cycles can be used. For example, step ii) can alternatively include charging the sodium-ion cell from a first voltage to a second voltage and maintaining the second voltage (e.g., 1.5V) for a period of time (e.g., 30 minutes or 30 hours; or between 30 minutes and 30 hours). Such alternative step ii) can be performed alone as a conditioning cycle or can be used in conjunction with step iii) above. Furthermore, the conditioning process can also include a further step between step ii) and step iii) and / or as a further step after step iii) that includes subjecting the cell to one or more charge / discharge operations between 0 and 4.2V.

[0068] The purpose of the conditioning process is to form a stable interface on the surface between the electrode and the electrolyte. In particular, the formation of a stable interface layer on the anode, referred to in the literature as "solid electrolyte interface" (SEI), or on the cathode, referred to as "cathode-electrolyte interface" (CEI), is one of the main purposes of this conditioning process. Those skilled in the art will know that in the process of forming said interface layer, undesirable gassing (a reaction product in the process of forming the interface layer) may occur. Therefore, after the conditioning process, an optional step is to remove this gassing and then reseal the cell (if necessary), which resealing depends on the type of cell used (for example, those skilled in the art will know that resealing may be necessary for pouch cells, but not necessarily for prismatic or cylindrical cells).

[0069] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium-ion cell according to the process of the present invention. In another aspect, the present invention provides an energy storage device comprising one or more sodium-ion cells according to the process of the present invention.

[0070] In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for providing a sodium ion battery having a state of charge of about 20% or less, and preferably capable of safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, the process comprising the step of providing a sodium ion battery comprising two or more sodium ion cells, each of the two or more sodium ion cells being a sodium ion cell according to the process of the present invention.

[0071] In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for providing a sodium ion battery having a state of charge of about 20% or less, and preferably capable of safe storage and / or transportation and / or maintenance, comprising the steps of: a) providing a sodium ion battery, the sodium ion battery preferably comprising one or more sodium ion cells comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte; and b) subjecting the sodium-ion battery provided in step a) to one or more discharge operations, preferably at a discharge rate of C / <10, to a minimum battery operating voltage (i.e. battery Vmin) of less than -0.1 V; The process further comprises:

[0072] Preferably, all of the one or more sodium-ion cells used to provide the sodium-ion battery in step a) of the process of the present invention have been subjected to a conditioning process (also known as a "formation" process) involving one or more charge and discharge operations prior to step b). That is, all of the one or more sodium-ion cells are pre-charged sodium-ion cells. All of the one or more sodium-ion cells used to provide the sodium-ion battery in step a) may have been subjected to a conditioning process involving two or three charge and discharge operations, optionally followed by degassing, prior to step b). Such a conditioning process may be as described above.

[0073] For purposes of this disclosure, a battery is described as "pristine" if all of the sodium-ion cells forming the battery have been subjected to a conditioning process, but none of such cells are subsequently used with an application device. A battery is described as "non-pristine" if all of the sodium-ion cells forming the battery have been subjected to a conditioning process, after which one or more of such cells are subsequently used with an application device. An application device is any device that utilizes cells or batteries. An electric vehicle or a mobile phone are examples of application devices.

[0074] Thus, the acts involved in "discharging the sodium ion battery" in step b) are substantially the same whether step b) is performed on a "pristine" sodium ion battery or whether step b) is performed on a "non-pristine" sodium ion battery.

[0075] When step b) is carried out on a "pristine" sodium-ion battery, step b) may be conveniently carried out immediately after step a). Since the sodium ion battery provided in step a) preferably contains cells that have each been subjected to a conditioning process, step b) can be performed on the sodium ion battery in a charged pristine state, a discharged pristine state, a charged non-pristine state, or an uncharged non-pristine state.

[0076] For the avoidance of doubt, it is not possible to carry out the process of the present invention on pristine and / or non-pristine lithium ion batteries when the cells are at voltages below -0.1V as the copper dissolution reaction occurs.

[0077] The acts involved in "providing a sodium ion battery" in step a) can include constructing a sodium ion battery. Thus, step a) can include constructing a sodium ion battery including one or more sodium ion cells including a positive electrode including a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode including a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte. In other embodiments, step a) of the present invention can simply include providing and / or supplying a pre-constructed sodium ion battery. Thus, step a) may or may not include any such construction and / or fabrication of a sodium ion battery.

[0078] Step b) of the process of the present invention dissipates the charge of the sodium ion battery provided in step a), resulting in a sodium ion battery at a state of charge of 20% or less. The resulting sodium ion battery is preferably at a state of charge of about -20% to about 20%, more preferably about -10% to about 10%. Ideally, the process of the present invention provides a sodium ion battery at a state of charge of about -5% to about 20%, more ideally about -5% to about 10%.

[0079] Step b) of the process of the present invention involves discharging the sodium ion battery provided in step a) to a voltage (cell Vmin) of less than -0.1 V. Ideally, this is from less than -0.1 V to about -5 V, optionally from less than -0.1 V to about -2.5 V, optionally from less than -0.1 V to about -2.0 V, preferably from less than -0.1 V to about -1.7 V. These voltage (cell Vmin) ranges are particularly desirable at discharge rates of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, and highly preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5.

[0080] When step b) is performed on a sodium-ion battery that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell, it is particularly desirable to have an end point (e.g., 2.5 V or -1.7 V). In one embodiment, step b) of the present invention involves discharging the sodium-ion battery provided in step a) to a voltage (battery Vmin) of less than -0.1 V to about -1.5 V, optionally less than -0.1 V to about -1.0 V.

[0081] Step b) of the present invention involves discharging the sodium-ion battery provided in step a) to a voltage (battery Vmin) preferably of less than −0.5 V to about −5 V, more preferably of less than −0.5 V to about −2.5 V, even more preferably of less than −0.5 V to about −2.1 V, and most preferably of less than −0.5 V to about −1.7 V. These voltage (battery Vmin) ranges are particularly desirable at discharge rates of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, and very preferably of C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5.

[0082] In one embodiment, step b) of the present invention comprises discharging the sodium-ion battery provided in step a) to a voltage (battery Vmin) of less than -0.1 V, optionally to about -0.2 V or less, optionally to about -0.5 V or less, optionally to about -0.9 V or less, optionally to about -1.0 V or less, optionally to about -1.4 V or less, and optionally to about -1.6 V or less.

[0083] As stated above, a desirable object of the present invention is to provide a process in which the resulting sodium-ion cell and / or battery is in a safer state than a sodium-ion cell and / or battery produced according to one or more processes known in the art. The phrase "safer state" means that the resulting sodium-ion cell and / or battery has a lower state of charge than a comparative sodium-ion cell and / or battery discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1 V or more. Thus, the effect attributable to the present invention, and in particular to discharging the sodium-ion battery in step b) to a voltage (battery Vmin) below -0.1 V, is that the resulting sodium-ion battery has a lower state of charge than a comparative sodium-ion battery discharged to a voltage (battery Vmin) of -0.1 V or more. This is because the percentage of charge remaining in a sodium-ion battery discharged to a voltage (battery Vmin) below -0.1 V is lower than the percentage of charge remaining in a comparative battery discharged to a voltage (battery Vmin) of -0.1 V or more. Thus, the present invention provides a sodium ion battery that is in a safer state than a sodium ion battery discharged to a voltage (battery Vmin) of -0.1V or more. Moreover, the sodium ion battery resulting from the process of the present invention surprisingly does not pose the risk of fire and explosion associated with discharging a comparable lithium ion battery to a voltage (battery Vmin) below -0.1V. Thus, such a resulting sodium ion battery is surprisingly safe to store and / or safe to transport and / or safe to maintain. Furthermore, the expected life span of the resulting sodium ion battery is also expected to be longer than a lithium ion cell, since such a sodium ion battery can withstand discharge to a voltage (cell Vmin) below -0.1V without affecting the conventional or expected charge capacity.

[0084] The sodium ion battery provided in step a) ideally has a maximum operating cell voltage (battery Vmax) based on the electrochemistry of the battery, e.g., as provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, each sodium ion cell used to provide the sodium ion battery can ideally have a maximum operating cell voltage (cell Vmax) based on the electrochemistry of the cell, e.g., as provided by the manufacturer. Each of the one or more sodium ion cells used to provide the sodium ion battery is preferably provided with a cell Vmax of about 1.0V to about 5.0V, ideally 3.0V to 4.5V. For example, a highly preferred sodium ion cell can use an alkali metal-containing oxide-based (cathode) chemistry and thus have a cell Vmax of about 4.0V to about 4.5V, ideally about 4.0V to about 4.3V. Alternatively, the sodium ion cell can use a Prussian blue analog (including Prussian white) or phosphate-based (cathode) chemistry and thus have a cell Vmax of about 3.0V to about 3.9V.

[0085] Preferably, step a) comprises a sodium-ion battery that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the battery. As used herein, this is intended to mean a sodium battery that can be charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of its battery Vmax.

[0086] It will be appreciated that a sodium ion battery that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the battery can be a pristine sodium ion battery. Thus, such a sodium ion battery can be chargeable to ≧90%-100% of its battery Vmax. It will also be appreciated that a sodium ion battery that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the battery can be a non-pristine sodium ion battery. During the life of a sodium ion battery, variations from the battery Vmax may occur, which may be most noticeable during aging of the sodium ion battery in use. Thus, such a sodium ion battery can be chargeable to ≧50%-100% of its battery Vmax.

[0087] A further advantage attributable to the present invention, and particularly to the preferred embodiment in which step a) involves a sodium-ion battery that can be charged to the battery's conventional and / or expected charge capacity, is that the electrochemical performance of the resulting sodium-ion battery is substantially unaffected.

[0088] In one embodiment, step a) includes sodium-ion batteries that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the battery, also known as "dead cells" or "defective cells." As used herein, this is intended to mean sodium-ion batteries that cannot be charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100%, of the battery Vmax based on the electrochemistry of the battery, e.g., as provided by the manufacturer.

[0089] It will be appreciated that a sodium-ion battery that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity of the cell may be a pristine sodium-ion battery, and thus such a sodium-ion battery may not be capable of being charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of the battery Vmax.

[0090] It will also be appreciated that a sodium-ion battery that cannot be charged to the battery's conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity may be a non-pristine sodium-ion battery, and thus such a sodium-ion battery may not be capable of being charged to ≧50%-100%, preferably ≧80%-100% of the battery Vmax.

[0091] A further advantage of the present invention, particularly in embodiments where step a) involves a sodium-ion battery that cannot be charged to the battery's conventional and / or expected charge capacity, is that the resulting sodium-ion battery is in a safer state due to a lower percentage of charge (if any) remaining in the battery, and therefore such a sodium-ion battery can be safely stored and / or safely maintained and / or safely transported, and / or safely destroyed where appropriate.

[0092] Preferably, step a) includes providing a sodium-ion battery including two or more sodium-ion cells (such as those defined herein, particularly those using an alkali metal-containing oxide-based (cathode) chemistry). The two or more cells can have the same cell voltage profile, preferably the same nominal cell voltage profile, and can have the same electrochemical design. As used herein, the term "same cell voltage profile" or "same cell nominal voltage profile" refers to the same voltage vs. capacity relationship. As noted above, each of the two or more cells can have a cell Vmax of about 1.0 V to about 5.0 V, ideally 3.0 V to 4.5 V. Also as noted above, the two or more cells may all be subjected to a conditioning process (also known as a "formation" process) prior to step b), which includes one or more charge and discharge operations.

[0093] In one embodiment, step a) involves sodium ion batteries in a parallel or series configuration. As mentioned above, another desirable object of the present invention is to provide a process for providing a sodium-ion cell and / or battery at, for example, 20% or less state of charge, which can be provided in a relatively short time (i.e., less than 100 hours). Although a low discharge rate (C / 20 or C / 100) is more likely to result in a sodium-ion battery with all or substantially all of the charge dissipated, prior art methods only teach that the sodium-ion battery should be discharged to a voltage (cell Vmin) of -0.1V or greater. Therefore, it would be highly beneficial to dissipate all or substantially all of the charge from the sodium-ion battery at a high discharge rate (C / <10), thus obtaining a sodium-ion battery at a 20% or less state of charge in a shorter time.

[0094] A preferred method of discharging the sodium ion battery in step b) of the present invention is to draw a constant current at a discharge rate of C / <10 until the sodium ion battery shows a voltage less than -0.1V. A discharge rate of C / <10 means that the discharge current discharges the entire sodium ion battery in less than 10 hours. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a discharge charge rate of C / <10 can also be expressed as >0.1C (i.e., less than 1÷10 hours=>0.1C).

[0095] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to about 4000C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 1000C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 500C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 200C, optionally from about C / <10 to about 150C, and optionally from about C / <10 to about 50C.

[0096] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧0.1 (10C), optionally C / <10 to C / ≧0.33 (3C), further optionally C / <10 to C / ≧0.5 (2C).

[0097] Therefore, a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧0.1 (10C) means that the discharge current discharges the entire sodium-ion battery in a period of 6 minutes or more (i.e., C / ≧0.1 × 60 minutes = 6 minutes or more) to less than 10 hours (i.e., C / <10).

[0098] An advantage of this preferred method is that, because the battery of step b) can be safely discharged to a voltage (battery Vmin) below -0.1 V as described above, a higher discharge rate can be used to dissipate all, or substantially all, of the charge from the resulting sodium-ion battery in a shorter time. Furthermore, it has been found that the state of charge of the resulting sodium-ion battery discharged to a voltage below -0.1 V at a discharge rate of C / <10 is closer to 0% than a comparative sodium-ion battery discharged to a voltage of 0 V (i.e., -0.1 V or greater).

[0099] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / ≦8, optionally C / ≦6, optionally C / ≦4, optionally C / ≦2, optionally C / ≦1, and optionally C / ≦0.5.

[0100] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧2. The discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is preferably at a discharge rate of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, more preferably C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.5. The discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is very preferably at a discharge rate of C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.1, most preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5. As mentioned above, the discharge rate of C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5 means that the discharge current discharges the entire sodium-ion battery for a period of 30 minutes or more (i.e., C / ≧0.5×60 minutes=30 minutes or more) to 2 hours or less (i.e., C / ≦2).

[0101] In one embodiment, the discharge carried out in step b) of the present invention is at a discharge rate of C / 2, and optionally C / 0.5. In embodiments in which step a) involves a sodium-ion battery capable of being charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity, step b) of the present invention is preferably carried out at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / >0.1 (10 C), optionally C / <10 to C / >0.33 (3 C), and further optionally C / <10 to C / >0.5 (2 C). In such embodiments, discharge rates of C / <5 to C / >0.1 are preferred, with C / <2 to C / >0.5 being highly preferred.

[0102] In embodiments where step a) involves a sodium-ion battery that cannot be charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity, step b) of the present invention is preferably carried out at a discharge rate of 12 C or greater (also expressed as C / ≦0.083). A discharge rate of 12 C or greater therefore means that the discharge current will discharge the entire sodium-ion cell in less than 5 minutes.

[0103] In embodiments in which step a) involves a sodium ion battery that cannot be charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacity, step b) of the present invention is preferably carried out at a discharge rate of from about 12C or more to about 4000C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 1000C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 500C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 200C or less, optionally from about 12C or more to about 150C or less.

[0104] In embodiments in which step a) comprises a sodium ion battery that can be charged to conventional and / or anticipated charge capacities and that comprises one or more cells having a positive electrode material that comprises an alkali metal-containing oxide, step b) of the present invention can be carried out at a preferred discharge rate of C / ≦5 to C / ≧0.1, and highly preferably C / ≦2 to C / ≧0.5.

[0105] In one embodiment, the process of the present invention can further include step c) which comprises maintaining the sodium ion battery at a voltage of 1 V or less, preferably for 1 minute or more. Thus, the sodium ion battery can be maintained at a voltage above the battery Vmin (as defined herein) of the sodium ion battery. Step c) can be performed immediately after step b).

[0106] A desirable objective of the present invention is to produce a sodium-ion battery with the lowest possible percentage of charge, less than about 20%. Thus, advantageously, step c) can be useful in dissipating the remaining charge from the sodium-ion battery, thus providing a resulting sodium-ion battery with the lowest possible percentage of charge, in the range of about -20% to 20%, preferably -10% to 10%, and ideally in the range of about -5% to about 20%, and even more ideally in the range of about -5% to about 10%.

[0107] Provided that the sodium ion battery resulting from the process of the present invention is stable for an extended period of time, step c) can be carried out for a period of time, for example, 1 minute or more. Step c) can be carried out for an extended period of time, for example, at least 30 minutes, optionally at least 1 hour, optionally at least 4 hours, optionally at least 8 hours, and optionally at least 24 hours.

[0108] In one embodiment, step c) includes maintaining the sodium ion battery at a voltage of 1 V or less, optionally 0.5 V or less, optionally 0 V, optionally 0 V or less, optionally -0.1 V or less, and optionally less than -0.1 V. In one embodiment, step c) includes maintaining the sodium ion battery at a voltage of about 1 V to about -5.0 V, preferably about 1 V to about -2.5 V, more preferably about 1 V to about -2.0 V, and more preferably about 1 V to about -1.70 V. Step c) can also include maintaining the sodium ion battery at a voltage of about 1 V to about 0 V.

[0109] In one embodiment, step c) can include maintaining the sodium-ion battery at the above voltage using a removable shorting device as described below. Alternatively, or additionally, the process can further include step d), which includes removing the removable shorting device as described below.

[0110] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium battery according to the process of the present invention. In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium-ion cell, preferably capable or incapable of being charged to a conventional or anticipated charge capacity of the cell, and preferably suitable for safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte, wherein the sodium-ion cell is at a state of charge of 20% or less, and wherein the sodium-ion cell is maintained at a voltage (i.e., cell Vmin) of less than -0.1 V.

[0111] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium-ion cell, preferably capable or incapable of being charged to a conventional or anticipated charge capacity of the cell, and preferably suitable for safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising an anode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte, wherein the sodium-ion cell is at a state of charge of 20% or less, and the potential difference between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is less than -0.1 V.

[0112] In one embodiment, the sodium ion cells are pristine and / or non-pristine cells. In one embodiment, the sodium-ion cell is at a state of charge of about -20% to about 20%, more preferably about -10% to about 10%.Ideally, the sodium-ion cell is at a state of charge of about -5% to about 20%, more ideally about -5% to about 10%.

[0113] In one embodiment, the sodium-ion cell has or is maintained at a voltage (cell Vmin) of about -0.2V or less, optionally about -0.5V or less, optionally about -0.9V or less, optionally about -1.0V or less, optionally about -1.4V or less, and optionally about -1.6V or less.

[0114] In one embodiment, the sodium-ion cell has or is maintained at a voltage (cell Vmin) of less than -0.1V to about -5.0V, optionally less than -0.1V to about -2.5V, and optionally less than -0.1V to about -1.0V.

[0115] The voltage (cell Vmin) can be maintained using a removable shorting device, as described below. In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium ion battery comprising one or more sodium ion cells, preferably capable or incapable of being charged to a conventional or anticipated charge capacity of the battery, and preferably suitable for safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, the sodium ion battery comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte, the sodium ion cell being at a state of charge of 20% or less, and the sodium ion battery being maintained at a voltage (battery Vmin) of less than -0.1 V.

[0116] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium ion battery, preferably capable or incapable of being charged to a conventional or anticipated charge capacity of the battery, and preferably suitable for safe storage and / or transport and / or maintenance, comprising one or more sodium ion cells comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising an anode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte, wherein the sodium ion cell is at a state of charge of 20% or less, and the potential difference between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is less than -0.1 V.

[0117] In one embodiment, the sodium ion battery is a pristine and / or non-pristine battery. In one embodiment, the sodium-ion cell is at a state of charge of about -20% to about 20%, more preferably about -10% to about 10%.Ideally, the sodium-ion cell is at a state of charge of about -5% to about 20%, more ideally about -5% to about 10%.

[0118] In one embodiment, the sodium ion battery has or is maintained at a voltage (battery Vmin) of about -0.2V or less, optionally about -0.5V or less, optionally about -0.9V or less, optionally about -1.0V or less, optionally about -1.4V or less, and optionally about -1.6V or less.

[0119] In one embodiment, the sodium ion battery has or is maintained at a voltage (battery Vmin) of less than -0.1 V to about -5.0 V, optionally less than -0.1 V to about -2.5 V, and optionally less than -0.1 V to about -1.0 V.

[0120] The voltage (battery Vmin) can be maintained using a removable shorting device, as described below. In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium-ion cell as described above and / or produced according to the process of the invention as described above, for storage and / or transport.

[0121] In another aspect, the present invention provides a sodium-ion battery as described above and / or produced according to the process of the present invention as described above, for storage and / or transportation.

[0122] In another aspect, the present invention provides the storage and / or transport and / or maintenance of a sodium-ion battery comprising one or more sodium-ion cells as described above and / or one or more sodium-ion cells produced according to the process of the present invention as described above.

[0123] In another aspect, the present invention provides for the storage and / or transport and / or maintenance of sodium-ion cells and / or energy storage devices comprising one or more sodium-ion cells as described above and / or one or more sodium-ion cells produced according to the processes of the present invention as described above.

[0124] In another aspect, the present invention provides an energy storage device comprising one or more sodium-ion cells according to the process of the present invention and / or as described above. The energy storage device of the present invention includes one or more sodium-ion cells as described above, and examples of these energy storage devices include batteries, battery modules, battery packs, electrochemical devices, and electrochromic devices. In a preferred energy storage device according to the present invention, some or all of the one or more sodium-ion cells are connected in series.

[0125] Preferably, the invention according to any of the above aspects also provides a sodium-ion cell and / or energy storage device (such as a sodium-ion battery as described herein) comprising a removable shorting device in at least one of the one or more sodium-ion cells, for example between the cathode and anode electrodes. Preferably, the removable shorting device is connected to the terminals of the cathode and anode electrodes.

[0126] Removal of the shorting device encompasses any procedure that involves breaking the connection between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, and thus removal of the shorting device need not involve physically removing the shorting device from the sodium ion cell or energy storage device, and in an alternative arrangement, the connection between the electrodes can be broken without physically removing the shorting device from the sodium ion cell or energy storage device.

[0127] The shorting device advantageously provides a physical and / or electrical short (a low impedance or low resistance connection that provides electrical conductivity) between the cathode and anode electrodes to ensure that the amount of electrical energy in one or more of the sodium-ion cells is maintained at 20% or less (or as defined in the preferred ranges above) while the sodium-ion cell or energy storage device is stored and / or transported and / or maintained, i.e., the cell is in a very safe condition.

[0128] The shorting device can be an internal or external, manual or automatic device, and can be one of several different shorting devices known in the art, such as triggered or latched, using inductance or resistance, and combinations thereof. It can be active or passive. As well as physical devices, the shorting device can be an electronic device.

[0129] Preferably, the shorting device is easily removable, possibly by having at least a portion of the shorting device external to the sodium-ion cell or energy storage device, so that it can be removed from the sodium-ion cell or energy storage device prior to use.

[0130] In a preferred configuration, the shorting device is placed on the outside of the cell housing or packaging and is a low impedance / resistance short between the positive and negative tabs, which are connected to the positive and negative electrodes inside the housing or packaging.

[0131] It is further contemplated that in the energy storage device, some or all of the individual sodium-ion cells used therein may be shorted, or the entire energy storage device (e.g., a sodium-ion battery) may be shorted. It is also contemplated that the removable shorting device may be reused to short the sodium-ion cell / energy storage device more than once, or may be reused to short other sodium-ion cells or energy storage devices. The removable shorting device may be provided by any convenient means, such as a shorting tab, or a conductive gel or other conductive material that provides a connection between the anode and cathode in one or more of the sodium-ion cells, for example.

[0132] Typically, a sodium-ion cell of the invention (including a sodium-ion cell used in a sodium-ion battery of the invention) includes a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte.

[0133] Preferably, the sodium-ion cells of the present invention are asymmetric, the term "asymmetric" meaning that the positive electrode active material is not the same as the negative electrode active material. Suitable negative electrode (active material) materials include amorphous carbon, hard carbon, soft carbon, silicon, and any other materials, such as phosphorus, tin, germanium, or antimony, alloying metals such as Sb 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 Materials that store sodium through conversion (and / or alloying reactions), such as some titanates / sodium titanates, whose structures are adapted to allow the insertion / removal of sodium ions during charge / discharge. These suitable anode materials can be used alone or in combination with each other. Hard carbons are particularly advantageous and preferred.

[0134] Advantageously, the negative and positive current collectors comprise one or more conductive materials that are stable at voltages below -0.1V (or within the preferred voltage ranges described herein) and / or under conditions of 20% or less, optionally about -20% to about 20%, preferably about -10% to about 10%. Ideally, about -5% to about 20%, more ideally about -5% to about 10% (or within the preferred charge ranges described herein). "Stable" in this context means that under certain conditions (e.g., below -0.1V), the one or more conductive materials do not react with sodium or form a solid solution with sodium. As defined herein, a "solid solution" is a solid mixture containing a major component and a minor component, where the minor component is uniformly distributed within the crystal lattice of the major component. For example, sodium does not form a solid solution with aluminum under these conditions.

[0135] Preferably, the one or more conductive materials do not alloy and / or otherwise react with sodium. Those skilled in the art will understand from common knowledge that aluminum does not alloy with sodium. However, it is possible that sodium is present in aluminum as an impurity or that sodium is used as a modifier in aluminum at very low concentrations (e.g., 0.015%) to achieve the grain boundary effect. However, this does not change the understanding herein that aluminum does not alloy with sodium.

[0136] In one embodiment, the one or more conductive materials can be present in a pure form, an impure form, as an alloy, or as a mixture, alone or in combination with one or more other elements in varying amounts.

[0137] More preferably, at least one of the one or more conductive materials comprises a low grade material, such as an industrial or domestic grade material. Advantageously, the one or more conductive materials may preferably comprise one or more metals selected from copper, aluminum, and titanium, most preferably aluminum.

[0138] The negative current collector, the positive current collector, or both the negative and positive current collectors may comprise aluminum or an aluminum alloy (e.g., an alloy of aluminum with one or more of Mg, Mn, Cr, Zn, Si, Fe, and Ni). Highly preferably, both the negative and positive current collectors comprise aluminum current collectors. Advantageously, a conductive material of the same composition is selected for both the positive and negative current collectors. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that at least one of the one or more conductive materials for both the positive and negative current collectors comprises aluminum in pure form, impure form, as an alloy, or as a mixture, alone or in combination with one or more other elements in various amounts.

[0139] The applicant has surprisingly found that it is possible to use low grade aluminum, e.g., from impure or domestic sources, as or in the conductive material of one or both current collectors, thereby achieving clearly significant commercial advantages. Furthermore, at the operating electrode potentials, the impurities in the low grade aluminum (e.g., zinc or copper) are under cathodic protection and therefore do not dissolve in the electrolyte phase. This is in contrast to the usual requirement for high purity aluminum to be used in cathode current collectors for currently used lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.

[0140] Household grade aluminum (e.g., sold as "kitchen foil," "tin foil," or "oven foil") encompasses aluminum materials having an aluminum content of 92-but less than 100%, e.g., 92-99% aluminum. Impure aluminum may contain less than 92% aluminum.

[0141] The present invention therefore provides a sodium-ion cell per se, and / or for use in an energy storage device (e.g., a sodium-ion battery as defined herein), comprising a negative electrode having one or more negative electrode materials and a negative electrode current collector, and a positive electrode having one or more positive electrode materials and a positive electrode current collector, wherein the one or more positive electrode current collectors and / or the negative electrode current collectors comprise one or more conductive materials that are stable in the range of less than −0.1 V (or within the preferred voltage or charging ranges described herein).

[0142] Advantageously, the one or more conductive materials do not form a solid solution with sodium under certain conditions (e.g., below -0.1 V). Preferably, the one or more conductive materials do not alloy and / or otherwise react with sodium. The one or more conductive materials may comprise one or more metals. These may be present in pure form, impure form, as alloys, or as mixtures, alone or in combination with one or more other elements in various amounts. Particularly preferably, the one or more current collectors comprise one or more metals selected from copper, aluminum, and titanium, most preferably aluminum.

[0143] The applicant has found that the sodium-ion cell of the present invention, when used by itself or as part of an energy storage device, is particularly advantageous when at least one of the positive and negative current collectors, preferably the negative current collector, includes a carbon coating. This provides benefits such as better adhesion between the active negative electrode material and the negative current collector, which in turn results in lower contact resistance. Current collectors that include a carbon coating have also been found to improve rate performance, which allows the current to be charged / discharged quickly. Similar advantages are obtained when the sodium-ion cell includes a positive current collector that includes a carbon coating. Sodium-ion cells that include a positive current collector that includes a carbon coating in addition to a negative current collector that includes a carbon coating are particularly electrically efficient.

[0144] The current collector including the carbon coating preferably includes one or more carbon-coated materials that are stable below -0.1V. The carbon-coated material preferably includes a carbon-coated metal (the metal may be conductive, but does not need to be conductive itself, since the carbon coating provides the conductivity). The carbon coating can be applied to the selected material (the one used to provide the conductive material) using any suitable technique, such as spray coating, solution casting, dipping, etc. Alternatively, suitable carbon-coated materials can be commercially available. Carbon-coated metals, such as carbon-coated copper, and / or carbon-coated aluminum and / or carbon-coated titanium, are preferred, with carbon-coated aluminum of grade: SDX supplied by Showa Denko Inc. being particularly preferred. Carbon-coated low-grade aluminum (e.g., from impure or domestic sources) is highly preferred. As mentioned above, carbon-coated low-grade aluminum is less expensive to produce, and impurities present in the low-grade aluminum do not leach or cause cell performance problems.

[0145] The negative and positive electrode (active) materials used in the sodium-ion cells of the invention (including the sodium-ion cells used in the sodium-ion batteries of the invention) are any materials capable of intercalating and deintercalating (inserting and removing) sodium ions during charging and discharging.

[0146] The positive electrode preferably comprises one or more positive electrode active materials capable of inserting and extracting alkali metals, preferably selected from oxide-based materials, polyanionic materials, and Prussian blue analogue-based materials (including Prussian white materials).

[0147] Particularly preferably, the one or more active cathode materials comprise one or more selected from an alkali metal-containing oxide-based material and an alkali metal-containing polyanionic material, the alkali metal being one or more alkali metals selected from sodium and / or potassium, preferably sodium, optionally in combination with lithium. Certain active cathode materials contain lithium as a trace alkali metal component, i.e., the amount of lithium is less than 50 wt.%, preferably less than 10 wt.%, and ideally less than 5 wt.% of the total alkali metal content.

[0148] The most preferred positive electrode active material has the general formula: A 1±δ M 1 V M 2 W M 3 X M 4 Y M 5 Z O 2-c [In formula: A is one or more alkali metals selected from sodium, potassium and lithium, preferably sodium; M 1 contains one or more redox active metals in the oxidation state +2, M 2 contains metals with oxidation states greater than 0 and less than or equal to +4; M 3 contains a metal in oxidation state +2; M 4 contains metals with oxidation states greater than 0 and less than or equal to +4; M 5 contains a metal in oxidation state +3; Where: 0≦δ≦1; V>0; W≧0; X>0; Y≧0; At least one of W and Y is >0; Z≧0; C is in the range 0≦c<2, V, W, X, Y, Z and C are selected to maintain electrochemical neutrality].

[0149] Ideally, metal M 2 contains one or more transition metals, preferably selected from manganese, titanium and zirconium; M 3 is preferably one or more selected from magnesium, calcium, copper, tin, zinc and cobalt; M 4 preferably comprises one or more transition metals selected from manganese, titanium and zirconium; and M 5 is preferably one or more selected from aluminum, iron, cobalt, tin, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, scandium and yttrium.

[0150] Particularly preferred cathode electrode active materials are nickelate-based materials and / or nickel-free layered oxides (eg, iron, copper and manganese-based layered oxides). A cathode active material having any crystalline structure can be used, but preferably the structure is O3 or P2 or a derivative thereof, and in particular it is possible for the cathode active material to have a heterogeneous structure comprising a mixture of phases, i.e. composed of several different crystalline forms. For example, the cathode active material comprises a compound having the general formula detailed above in a mixture of O3 and P2 phases. The ratio of O3 phase:P2 phase is preferably 1-99:99-1.

[0151] Highly preferred active cathode materials include sodium and / or potassium-containing transition metal-containing compounds, with sodium transition metal nickelate compounds being particularly preferred. Particularly preferred examples include alkali metal layered oxides, single and mixed phase O3, P2 and P3 alkali metal layered oxides, alkali metal-containing polyanionic materials, oxymetallates, Prussian blue analogues and Prussian white analogues. Specific examples include O3 / P2-A 0.833 Ni 0.317 Mn 0.467 Mg 0.1 Ti 0.117 O2 , O3-A 0.95 Ni 0.3167 Mn 0.3167 Mg 0.1583 Ti 0.2083 O 2 , P2 type A 2 / 3 Ni 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 2 Ti 1 / 6 O 2 , P2-A 2 / 3 (Fe 1 / 2 Mn 1 / 2 )O 2 , P'2-A 2 / 3 MnO 2 , P3 or P2-A 0.67 Mn 0.67 Ni 0.33 O 2 , A 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , A.V.P.O. 4 F, A.V.P.O. 4 F.A. 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 A 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 2 F 3 , A 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 2 F 3 , A x Fe y Mn y (CN) 6 nH 2 O(0≦x, y, z≦2; 0≦n≦10), O3, P2 and / or P3-A x Mn y Ni z O 2 (0≦x≦1 and 0≦y, z≦1). A 2 Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 , A 2 Ni 2 SbO 6 and A 3 Ni 2 SbO 6[wherein "A" in these compounds is one or more alkali metals selected from Li, Na and K, preferably Na and / or K, and most preferably Na].

[0152] Advantageously, the sodium-ion cells according to the invention (including the sodium-ion cells used in the sodium-ion batteries of the invention) can use electrolytes in any form, i.e., solid, liquid or gel compositions. Non-aqueous electrolytes, such as those described in WO 2020 / 240290 A1, can be particularly preferred.

[0153] The electrolyte is sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF 4 ) and / or sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF 6 ) may include one or more sodium-containing salts.

[0154] The electrolyte can include one or more fluorosulfonyl-containing salts, such as NaTFSI. Suitable examples include: 1) a liquid electrolyte, e.g., >0-10 molar alkali metal salt, e.g., NaPF, in one or more solvents selected from ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), propylene carbonate (PC) (preferably as a 1:2:1 weight / weight ratio mixture of EC:DEC:PC), gamma butyrolactone (GBL) sulfonate, diglyme, triglyme, tetraglyme, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dioxolane, and mixtures thereof; 6 , NaBF 4 , sodium bis(oxalate) (NaBOB), sodium triflate (NaOTf), NaTFSI, NaFSI, LiPF 6 , LiAsF 6 , LiBF 4 , LiBOB, LiClO 4, LiFSi, Li-triflate and mixtures thereof, all with or without diluents such as various types of hydrofluoroethers such as 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether, 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether or 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether; 2) gel electrolytes based on any one of the following matrix materials used alone or in combination with each other; or, 3) solid electrolytes, e.g., Na 3 Zr 2 S 2 PO 12 NASICON type, Na 3 P.S. 4 Or Na 3 SbS 4 Sulfide systems such as Na 2 B 10 H 10 -Na 2 B 12 H 12 Hydrides such as Na 2 O.(8-11)Al 2 O 3 β-alumina or Na 2 O.(5-7)Al 2 O 3 and related β”-alumina systems.

[0155] Known electrolyte additives such as 1,3-propanediol cyclic sulfate (PCS), P123 surfactant, tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSP), tris(trimethylsilyl)borate (TMSB), 1-propene 1,3-sultone, 1,3-propane sultone, as well as binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) can also be included in the electrolyte.

[0156] As used herein, the phrase "sodium ion cell" should be construed to mean any electrochemical cell, suitable examples of which include (although the invention is not limited to these examples) non-aqueous sodium ion cells, aqueous sodium ion cells, sodium air cells, sodium oxygen cells, rechargeable sodium metal-based cells, and anode-free sodium cells. Such electrochemical cells can be utilized in any small- or large-scale energy storage device, including, but not limited to, batteries, battery modules, battery packs, electrochemical devices, and electrochromic devices. Batteries, battery modules, and battery packs typically include one or more sodium ion cells, some or all of which can be connected in series. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0157] The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the discharge profile of a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC802) discharged from 4.2 to 0 V at a rate of C / 5 and a rate of 2C as described in Example 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the discharge profiles of a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC798) discharged from 4.2 to 0 V at a rate of C / 2 and a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC798) discharged from 4.2 to −2 V at a rate of 2C, as described in Example 2. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the discharge profiles of a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC800) discharged from 4.2 to 0 V at a rate of C / 2 and a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC802) discharged from 4.2 to −1.58 V at a rate of 2C, as described in Example 3. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 shows the discharge profiles of a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC802) discharged at a rate of 2C from 4.2 to 0 V and a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC802) discharged at a rate of 2C from 4.2 to −1.58 V, as described in Example 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the discharge profile of a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC765) discharged at a rate of C / 2 from 4.2 to approximately 2.5 times the rated capacity (in terms of the capacity that can be delivered to 0 V), as described in Example 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the discharge profile of a full sodium-ion cell (A3PC765) discharged from 4.2 to 0 V at a rate of C / 2 after the discharge of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0158] Electrochemical results The Na-ion electrochemical test cell is constructed as follows: The positive electrode is made of the active material (doped nickelate-containing O3 / P2 Na 0.833 Ni 0.317 Mn 0.467 Mg 0.1 Ti 0.117 O 2 The electrode is prepared by solution casting a slurry of 100% active material, conductive carbon, binder and solvent onto a substrate. The conductive carbon used is commercially available from Timcal Limited. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) is used as the binder and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is employed as the solvent. The slurry is cast onto a carbon-coated aluminum foil and heated until most of the solvent evaporates and an electrode film is formed. The electrode is then dried under dynamic vacuum at approximately 120°C. The electrode film contained the following components expressed in weight percent: 89% active material, 5% conductive carbon, and 6% PVdF binder.

[0159] The negative electrode is prepared by solution casting a slurry of hard carbon active material (e.g., commercially available from Kuraray Corporation), conductive carbon, binder and solvent onto a substrate. The conductive carbon used is commercially available, e.g., from Timcal Limited. PVdF is used as the binder (unless otherwise noted in the specific examples) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is employed as the solvent. The slurry is cast onto a carbon-coated aluminum foil and heated until most of the solvent evaporates and an electrode film is formed. The electrode is then further dried under dynamic vacuum at about 120°C. The negative electrode film contains the following components, expressed in weight percent: 88% active material (hard carbon), 3% conductive carbon, and 9% PVdF binder.

[0160] The carbon-coated aluminum material used as the anode and / or cathode current collectors is SDX supplied by Showa Denko Inc. TM material, or En'Safe® current collectors supplied by ARMOR. General Procedure for Making Pouch Cells A sodium ion pouch cell was constructed using active material electrodes, a separator and electrolyte; aluminum tabs were connected to each of the electrodes and the cell was placed in a polymer-coated aluminum pouch. The three-electrode Na ion pouch cell used herein contains a square negative electrode (4.8 cm 2 ) and a square positive electrode (4.0 cm 2 ), which are separated by either two layers of polyolefin separator (such as Asahi Kasei's ND525 grade or Celgard® 2500 grade), or one layer of polyolefin separator and one layer of glass fiber (Whatman GF / A grade) separator, between which a third Na reference electrode is inserted. +A base electrolyte is added to the cell (such as the type described in WO 2020 / 240209 A1), after which the cell assembly is hermetically sealed under vacuum in an Al laminate pouch material ready for electrochemical testing. Cell Test The cells are tested using a constant current cycling technique (applied a constant voltage, here 4.2V, at full charge) as follows.

[0161] The cells are cycled between pre-set voltage limits at a given current density. A commercial battery cycler from Maccor Inc. (Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA) is used. Upon charging, alkali ions are extracted from the cathode active material. During discharge, alkali ions are reinserted into the cathode active material. In the following examples, the first cycle between 4.2 and 0 V at either ±C / 10 or ±C / 5 (detailed below) is an example of a conditioning / formation cycle. EXAMPLES

[0162] Example 1 (not according to the invention) Effect of different discharge rates from 4.2V to 0V on the "True SOC" of the cell An experiment was conducted to test the effect of different discharge rates on the true SOC of a sodium-ion cell after a 30 minute rest period when discharging from 4.2V to 0V.

[0163] A single cell (A3PC802) was prepared according to the general procedure above: in one discharge the cell was discharged from 4.2 to 0 V at a rate of C / 5 (0.2C or 5 hour discharge), and in the other discharge the cell was discharged from 4.2 to 0 V at a rate of 2C (C / 0.5 or 30 minute discharge).

[0164] As illustrated by the results shown in Figure 1, mAh / g delivered at 0V cathode It can be observed that the specific capacity in units (weight based on the amount of active material in the cathode) was lower at a rate of 2C compared to the same discharge performed at a rate of C / 5.

[0165] This (kinetic) effect is due to the fact that more Na+ can be inserted from the anode to the cathode at a slower discharge rate (i.e., a C / 5 rate) compared to a faster discharge rate (i.e., a 2C rate).

[0166] However, of particular interest in this experiment was the observation of the open circuit voltage of the cell at the end of a 30 minute rest period under open circuit conditions immediately following a discharge run to 0 V (i.e., a galvanostatic discharge event). This voltage can be referred to as the "bounce back" open circuit voltage (OCV).

[0167] As shown by the inset in Figure 1, the "bounce" OCV was larger for the cell discharged to 0 V at a 2C rate than for the cell discharged to 0 V at a C / 5 rate. Therefore, the true SOC of the cell discharged to 0 V at a C / 5 rate was found to be lower than the true SOC of the cell discharged to 0 V at a 2C rate (i.e., 1.70 V vs. 1.94 V, respectively).

[0168] Therefore, we can conclude that the cell discharged to 0V at a C / 5 rate is more favorable to achieving a safe state than the comparison cell discharged to 0V at a 2V rate because 1.70V is closer to 0V. In other words, the cell discharged to 0V at a C / 5 rate has a lower true SOC than the cell discharged to 0V at a 2C rate. Example 2 (according to the present invention) Effect of overdischarge on the true SOC of sodium-ion cells Table 1 below shows some relevant cycling metrics for three-electrode cells discharged from 4.2V to 0V or overdischarge voltage. These cells were cycled as follows: Cycle 1 = ±C / 10 (conditioning / formation cycle). Cycles 2-5: 4.2 to 0 V at ±C / 2 with a 30 minute rest after the fifth discharge (D5) to 0 V. The 30 minute rest period is to measure the "bounce" effect of the cell voltage. Cycles 6-9: 4.2-overdischarge at ±C / 2 with a 30-minute rest after each overdischarge event. Cycles 10-13: 4.2-0V again at ±C / 2 to compare cycle stability after over-discharge cycle.

[0169] The key metrics in Table 1 are: D6 Overdisch V: This indicates the voltage of a full cell at the end of the overdischarge condition. D6-D5 Cap: Shows the increased capacity that can be obtained from a Na-ion cell when over-discharged to a negative voltage compared to just being discharged to 0V. D5-D6 OCV: This compares the OCV of the cell after 30 minutes rest after the discharge events of D5 (to 0V) and D6 (to overdischarge V). Negative values ​​indicate that the "true SOC" was lowered during the overdischarge event.

[0170] [Table 1]

[0171] As shown by the results shown in Table 1 above, in each case, a negative voltage was observed (column 10) by subtracting the voltage observed after a 30 minute rest period after a discharge operation to 0V at a rate of ±C / 2 (D5, column 8) from the voltage observed after a 30 minute rest period after a discharge operation to the overdischarge voltage at ±C / 2 (column 6) (D6, column 9). Thus, the true SOC of each cell was found to decrease as a result of discharging the cell to a voltage less than -0.1V.

[0172] Thus, a benefit resulting from the present invention, and in particular from discharging a sodium-ion cell to a voltage below -0.1 V, is that the true state of charge obtained from the sodium-ion cell is lower than when a comparative sodium-ion cell is discharged to a voltage of -0.1 V or greater (i.e., to a voltage of 0 V).

[0173] Furthermore, when discharging the cells from 4.2V to 0V after the over-discharge event, the capacity values ​​(D10, column 12) show very little capacity degradation compared to the capacity values ​​before the over-discharge event (D5, column 3). Furthermore, the capacity values ​​were very similar during the four over-discharge cycles of each cell (as can be seen by comparing D6, column 4, and D9, column 11). Thus, clearly, discharging the cells to voltages below -0.1V does not cause substantial degradation of the cell performance. The results based on the three-electrode sodium-ion cell in Table 1 are directly transferable to, for example, two-electrode sodium-ion cells used in any commercial application, and therefore the same conclusions can be made.

[0174] Figure 2 shows the D5 and D6 discharge cycle profiles of cell A3PC798 shown in Table 1. The inset shows the OCV "bounce" behavior over a 30 minute rest period under open circuit conditions. Overdischarge of cell A3PC798 to -2.01 V (Table 1, column 6) yielded 5.54 mAh / g cathode (Table 1, column 7), and it can be seen that the "true SOC" of the cell after the overdischarge event was about 0.166 V lower. Furthermore, inspection of the capacity values ​​of D6 (column 4) and D9 (column 11) in Table 1 shows that the sodium-ion cells show stable cycling when overdischarged to negative voltages such as -1 V or even -2 V (since these are 3-electrode cells, Table 1 also provides the cathode and anode potentials at the end of the overdischarge D6 cycle).

[0175] Very advantageously, in each case, the capacity achieved by discharging the cell from 4.2 V to 0 V (column 3) is subtracted from the capacity achieved by discharging the cell from 4.2 V to the overdischarge voltage (column 4), resulting in an increase in cell capacity, i.e., about 1 to 5.5 mAh / g. cathodewas observed (column 7), which is about 1 to about 4.6% of the cell capacity. In other words, at Vmin for each overdischarged cell (when current is still being drawn), these cells exhibited negative instantaneous SOC values ​​of about -1 to about -4.6% SOC. Example: For A3PC798: (5.54 / 121.76) x 100% = -4.55% SOC Thus, another advantage resulting from the present invention, and in particular from discharging a sodium-ion cell to a voltage less than -0.1 V, is that greater capacity is obtained from the sodium-ion cell than when a comparative sodium-ion cell is discharged to a voltage equal to or greater than -0.1 V (i.e., to a voltage of 0 V).

[0176] Applicants have found that this capacity increase was due to the fact that the anode was present but did not "approach" the normal operating window (e.g., 4.2-0 V) of a sodium-ion cell. + Therefore, by overdischarging the cell according to the invention (i.e., to a voltage less than -0.1 V), these Na + is shuttled from the anode to the cathode, thus contributing to the reversible capacity.

[0177] Thus, an additional benefit resulting from the present invention, particularly from discharging sodium-ion cells to voltages below -0.1 V, is the ability to achieve negative states of charge. Cell capacities that were previously inaccessible are now accessible with the present invention.

[0178] Thus, applicants have surprisingly discovered that by discharging a sodium-ion cell to a voltage below −0.1 V, the cell becomes safer and subsequently cell performance, such as cycling stability, is not compromised. Access to additional cell capacity is also achieved in accordance with the present invention. Example 3 (according to the present invention) Discharge rate considerations for sodium ion cells. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether sodium-ion cells could be made to reach a lower "true SOC" at a faster discharge rate. These 3-electrode cells were cycled as follows: Cycle 1 = ±C / 5 (conditioning / formation cycle). Cycles 2-4: ±C / 2(charge) / -2C(discharge) from 4.2 to 0V with a 30 minute rest after each discharge cycle to 0V. The 30 minute rest period is to measure the "bounce" effect of the cell voltage. Cycles 5-7: 4.2-overdischarge at ±C / 2(charge) / -2C(discharge), 30 min rest after each overdischarge event. Using the data from these cycles, the OCV of the cell in the relaxed state (open circuit condition) after the overdischarge event can be compared to the OCV after a 30 min rest after discharge at 0V. The lower OCV after overdischarge provides evidence that the "true SOC" of the cell is reduced after overdischarge. Cycles 8-10: To compare cycle stability after over-discharge cycles, again +C / 2(charge) / -2C(discharge) from 4.2 to 0V (30 minutes rest after each discharge cycle).

[0179] [Table 2]

[0180] From inspection of Table 2, it can again be concluded that, similar to the results shown in Table 1, discharging a sodium-ion cell to a voltage less than -0.1V results in a sodium-ion cell having a lower true state of charge than a comparative sodium-ion cell discharged to a voltage equal to or greater than -0.1V (i.e., to a voltage of 0V). This is evidenced by the negative voltage observed for each cell in column 10. This value was similarly calculated by subtracting the voltage observed after a 30 minute rest period following the discharge operation to 0V (D4, column 8) from the voltage observed after a 30 minute rest period following the discharge operation to the overdischarge voltage (column 6) (D5, column 9).

[0181] However, the difference between the results shown in Table 1 and those shown in Table 2 is that the cells in Table 1 were discharged at a rate of C / 2 (0.5C or 2 hours) and the cells in Table 2 were discharged at a rate of 2C (C / 0.5 or 30 minutes). Thus, the cells in Table 2 were discharged 4 times faster than the cells discharged in Table 1.

[0182] When discharging the cells from 4.2V to 0V after an over-discharge event at a rate of 2C, the capacity values ​​(D8, column 12) show very little capacity degradation compared to the capacity values ​​before the over-discharge event (D4, column 3). Furthermore, the capacity values ​​were very similar during the three over-discharge cycles for each cell (as can be seen by comparing D5, column 4, and D7, column 11). Thus, clearly, discharging the cells to voltages below -0.1V at a rate of C / <2 (e.g., 2C) does not cause substantial degradation of cell performance. This is particularly advantageous as it means that safe cells can be prepared quickly.

[0183] The results based on the three-electrode sodium-ion cell in Table 2 are directly transferable to, for example, a two-electrode sodium-ion cell used in any commercial application, and therefore the same conclusions can be made.

[0184] Additionally, by comparing sodium-ion cells of similar cell design (such as C / A mass balance) between Table 1 and Table 2, the application of faster discharge rates to overdischarge voltages can be further understood.

[0185] As an example, Figure 3 compares a sodium-ion cell discharged from 4.2V to 0V at a discharge rate of C / 2 (cell A3PC800 in Table 1: fully discharged in 112.3 minutes) with a comparison sodium-ion cell discharged from 4.2V to -1.58V at a discharge rate of 2C (cell A3PC802 in Table 2: fully discharged in just 27.7 minutes).

[0186] At 0 V, A3PC802 was expected to show lower capacity than A3PC800 due to the kinetic effects shown in Example 1. However, surprisingly, when A3PC802 was discharged to -1.58 V at a discharge rate of 2 C, the resulting capacity was comparable to that of A3PC800 discharged to 0 V at a discharge rate of C / 2: A3PC800 - 123.07 mAh / g cathode (Table 1, column 3), A3PC802 - 120.05 mAh / g cathode (Table 2, column 4).

[0187] What was particularly surprising, however, was that the “true SOC” of cell A3PC802 (i.e., 1.831 V after 30 minutes—Table 2, column 9) was comparable to that of cell A3PC800 (i.e., 1.83 V after 30 minutes—Table 1, column 8), as shown in the inset of FIG.

[0188] Thus, in addition to the surprising finding that sodium-ion cells can be safely discharged to voltages below -0.1V, as described above and supported by Example 2, it is even more surprising that faster discharge rates can also be safely used to dissipate all or substantially all of the charge from the resulting sodium-ion cells, as supported by Example 3. Thus, a sodium-ion cell discharged at a 2C discharge rate to a voltage below -0.1V is safer than, or at least as safe as, a comparable sodium-ion cell discharged at a C / 2 discharge rate to a voltage of 0V (i.e., -0.1V or greater). In other words, a cell discharged at a 2C rate to -1.58V has a lower or equal true SOC than a cell discharged at a C / 2 rate to 0V. Thus, commercial manufacturers can prepare cells that are particularly safe to store and / or transport and / or maintain, for example, without carrying out the process for extended periods of time.

[0189] Some further conclusions can also be made with reference to FIG. Figure 4 compares the discharge of an A3PC802 from 4.2V to 0V at a discharge rate of 2C with the discharge of an A3PC802 from 4.2V to -1.58V at the same discharge rate of 2C.

[0190] 4, the "true SOC" from a 4.2V to 0V discharge was found to be 1.94V, while the "true SOC" from a 4.2V to -1.58V discharge was found to be 1.83V. These findings therefore further lead to the conclusion that sodium-ion cells discharged at a discharge rate of C / <2 to voltages less than -0.1V are safer, or at least as safe, as comparative sodium-ion cells discharged to voltages of 0V (i.e., -0.1V or greater).

[0191] The implications of these results are profound as they demonstrate that if a sodium-ion cell is to be brought to a safe state quickly, there is a substantial benefit in discharging the sodium-ion cell to an overdischarge voltage (negative voltage) at a faster rate as opposed to just discharging the sodium-ion cell to 0V. Example 4 (according to the present invention) A review of the hazards associated with severe overcharging of sodium-ion cells. Examples 2 and 3 demonstrate that sodium-ion cells have the ability to be overdischarged to voltages below −0.1 V without compromising future cell performance. However, applicants have found that sodium-ion cells cannot be overdischarged indefinitely in some circumstances, and that there is a limit beyond which the future performance of the sodium-ion cell is compromised if overdischarged to a significant degree.

[0192] FIG. 5 shows the three-electrode cycling curves of cell A3PC765, which has the same cell design as cells A3PC794-A3PC798 shown in Table 1 (the C / A mass balance for A3PC765 was 2.28), and cell A3PC765 was subjected to cycling from 4.2 V to approximately 2.5 times its rated capacity at a discharge rate of C / 2 to simulate extreme overdischarge conditions.

[0193] As shown in the figure, above 0 V, the anode potential continued to rise steadily before reaching a very high potential of over 5.2 V vs Na / Na+: such a potential is well above the oxidative stability limit of the carbonate ester electrolyte, and it is not surprising that continued discharge caused the anode potential to remain at such a high value (due to continued electrolyte decomposition).

[0194] At the same time, the cathode potential continued to drop steadily, with significant perturbations in the cycling profile. Oxidized electrolyte species generated at the high potential anode could have migrated to the cathode and caused such perturbations. As shown in the inset of Figure 5, the OCV of the cell was measured after the cell was left to rest for about 13 hours after the overdischarge event. As can be seen, the extreme overdischarge resulted in a negative true state of charge, which was maintained for up to 16 hours after the extreme overdischarge event.

[0195] FIG. 6 further illustrates the cycling curves of A3PC765 from 4.2 V to 0 V at a discharge rate of C / 2 after the overdischarge event of FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 6, when the A3PC765 was subsequently cycled between 4.2 and 0 V at a discharge rate of C / 2, the cathode was now only able to deliver 13.4 mAh / g, or just about 11% of the capacity (118.6 mAh / g) it was able to deliver when cycled between 4.2 and 0 V at a discharge rate of C / 2 prior to the overdischarge event of FIG. 5.

[0196] Thus, from these results of Example 4, it is concluded that sodium-ion cells can be overdischarged to negative voltages, but there is a limit beyond which the future performance of the sodium-ion cell will be compromised if overdischarged to a significant degree. The overdischarge limit can be, for example, −5V, optionally −4.5V, optionally −2.5V, as disclosed herein.

[0197] Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the lower limit (i.e., greater than, for example, -5V) may be achieved by different cell designs (e.g., including the cathode or anode active materials used therein), and such different cell designs are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A process for providing a sodium-ion cell having a state of charge of about 20% or less and capable of safe storage and / or transportation and / or maintenance, comprising: a) providing a sodium-ion cell comprising a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material, a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material, a negative electrode current collector, and an electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector comprise aluminum; b) subjecting the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to one or more discharge operations at a discharge rate of C / <10 to a minimum cell operating voltage (cell Vmin) of less than −0.1 V; and c) maintaining the sodium ion cell at a voltage of 1 V or less. The process comprising:

2. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein step b) comprises discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a cell Vmin of less than -0.1V to about -5.0V.

3. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein step b) comprises discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a cell Vmin of less than -0.1V to about -2.5V.

4. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein step b) comprises discharging the sodium-ion cell provided in step a) to a cell Vmin of less than -0.1V to about -1.7V.

5. 5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step a) comprises a sodium-ion cell provided with a maximum operating voltage (cell Vmax) of about 1V to about 5.0V.

6. 5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step a) comprises a sodium-ion cell that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell.

7. 7. The process of claim 6, wherein the sodium-ion cell can be charged to ≧80% to 100% of a cell Vmax of about 1V to about 5.0V.

8. 5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step a) involves a sodium-ion cell that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the cell.

9. 9. The process of claim 8, wherein the sodium-ion cell cannot be charged to ≧80% to 100% of the cell Vmax of about 1V to about 5.0V.

10. 5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step a) comprises a sodium-ion cell that has been subjected to one or more charge and discharge operations.

11. 11. The process of claim 10, wherein step a) involves pristine or non-pristine cells, where a pristine cell is a cell that has been subjected to a conditioning process and has not been used with an application device, and a non-pristine cell is a cell that has been subjected to a conditioning process and has been used with an application device.

12. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the discharging in step b) is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / >=0.

1.

13. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein step c) comprises maintaining the sodium-ion cell at a voltage of about -1.7V to about 1V.

14. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step c) comprises the use of a removable shorting device.

15. 1. A process for providing a sodium ion battery having a state of charge of about 20% or less and capable of being safely stored and / or transported and / or maintained, comprising: a) providing a sodium-ion battery comprising one or more sodium-ion cells according to step a) of claim 1; b) subjecting the sodium-ion battery provided in step a) to one or more discharge operations at a discharge rate of C / <10 to a minimum battery operating voltage (battery Vmin) of less than −0.1 V; and c) maintaining the sodium ion cell at a voltage of 1 V or less. The process comprising:

16. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein step b) comprises discharging the sodium ion battery to a battery Vmin of less than -0.1 V to about -5.0 V.

17. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein step b) comprises discharging the sodium ion battery to a battery Vmin of less than -0.1 V to about -2.5 V.

18. 16. The process of claim 15, wherein step b) comprises discharging the sodium ion battery to a battery Vmin of less than -0.1 V to about -1.7 V.

19. 19. The process of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein step a) comprises a sodium ion battery that can be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the battery.

20. 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the sodium ion battery can be charged to ≧80% to 100% of the battery Vmax.

21. 19. The process of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein step a) involves a sodium ion battery that cannot be charged to the conventional and / or expected charge capacity of the battery.

22. 22. The process of claim 21, wherein the sodium ion battery cannot be charged to ≧80% to 100% of the battery Vmax.

23. The process according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the one or more sodium-ion cells provided in step a) have been subjected to one or more charge and discharge operations.

24. 24. The process of claim 23, wherein step a) comprises a pristine or non-pristine battery, wherein a battery is pristine when all of the sodium-ion cells forming the battery have been subjected to the conditioning process, but none of such cells are subsequently used with an application device, and wherein a battery is non-pristine when all of the sodium-ion cells forming the battery have been subjected to the conditioning process, but one or more of such cells are subsequently used with an application device.

25. The process according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the discharging in step b) is at a discharge rate of C / <10 to C / ≧0.

1.

26. 19. The process of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein step c) comprises maintaining the sodium ion battery at a voltage of about -1.7V to about 1V.

27. The process of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein step c) comprises the use of a removable shorting device.

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