A method of producing crystalline graphite, the method comprising: (a) providing a graphene/biomass mixture comprising multiple biomass particles (chips, granules, flakes, pellets, etc.) and a first amount of multiple sheets of a first graphene material, wherein the first graphene-to-biomass weight ratio is from 0 to 1.0; (b) heat-treating the mixture at a first temperature (150ºC to 1,500ºC) for a first period of time to carbonize the mixture into a graphene/carbon mixture; (c) optionally adding a second amount of multiple sheets of a second graphene material into the graphene/carbon mixture, wherein the second graphene-to-biomass weight ratio, based on the original non-carbonized biomass weight, is from 0 to 1.0 and the total graphene-to-biomass weight ratio is no less than 0.001; and (d) heat-treating the graphene/carbon mixture at a second temperature for a second period of time to produce a crystalline graphite, wherein the second temperature is selected from 900ºC to 3,500ºC.
A method of producing crystalline graphite, the method comprising: (a) providing a graphene/biomass mixture comprising multiple biomass particles (chips, granules, flakes, pellets, etc.) and a first amount of multiple sheets of a first graphene material, wherein the first graphene-to-biomass weight ratio is from 0 to 1.0; (b) heat-treating the mixture at a first temperature (150° C. to 1,500° C.) for a first period of time to carbonize the mixture into a graphene/carbon mixture; (c) optionally adding a second amount of multiple sheets of a second graphene material into the graphene/carbon mixture, wherein the second graphene-to-biomass weight ratio, based on the original non-carbonized biomass weight, is from 0 to 1.0 and the total graphene-to-biomass weight ratio is no less than 0.001; and (d) heat-treating the graphene/carbon mixture at a second temperature for a second period of time to produce a crystalline graphite, wherein the second temperature is selected from 900° C. to 3,500° C.
A method of producing crystalline graphite, the method comprising: (a) providing a graphene/plastic mixture of multiple plastic particles (chips, granules, pellets, etc.) and a first amount of multiple sheets of a first graphene material, wherein the first graphene-to-plastic weight ratio is from 0 to 1.0; (b) heat-treating the mixture at a first temperature (250° C. to 1,500° C.) for a first period of time to carbonize the mixture into a graphene/carbon mixture; (c) optionally adding a second amount of multiple sheets of a second graphene material into the graphene/carbon mixture, wherein the second graphene-to-plastic weight ratio, based on the original non-carbonized plastic weight, is from 0 to 1.0 and the total graphene-to-plastic weight ratio is no less than 0.001; and (d) heat-treating the graphene/carbon mixture at a second temperature for a second period of time to produce a crystalline graphite, wherein the second temperature is selected from 900° C. to 3,500° C.
A process for producing a solid powder mass of multiple anode material particulates, the process comprising (a) providing an electrode comprising a solid powder mass comprising multiple porous host particles (e.g., carbonaceous, graphitic, and graphene particles) having a volume fraction of pores from 5% to 99.9%; (b) dissolving or dispersing a source of a selected anode active material in a liquid electrolyte; (c) providing a counter electrode; and (d) applying a desired current or voltage sequence to electrodeposit an anode active material into the pores of the porous particles. The deposited anode active material (e.g., Si) is preferably in an amorphous state and has a dimension (e.g., coating thickness or particle diameter) no greater than 500 nm (preferably less than150 nm and more preferably from 10 to 100 nm). The process may further comprise a step of prelithiating the anode active material deposited in the pores.
Provided is graphene-based protective layer deposited on a surface of a clean facility (e.g., a medical facility), wherein the protective layer comprises graphene sheets coated on the surface or at least partially embedded in the surface, wherein the graphene sheets comprise a plurality of discrete single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. Preferably, surfaces of graphene sheets carry an anti-microbial compound, preferably in the form of a nanoparticle, nano-wire, or nano-coating.
A01N 25/34 - Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other group of this main group
A01N 25/08 - Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of applicationSubstances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests containing solids as carriers or diluents
in situin situ in the pores or is a polymer solidified from a polymer solution inside the pores of the first polymer layer; and (c) the first polymer or the second polymer has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 2 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature.
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
H01M 4/134 - Electrodes based on metals, Si or alloys
H01M 4/136 - Electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
H01M 4/525 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
Provided is a method of producing isolated graphene sheets directly from a biomass, the method including: (A) providing a biomass in a liquid state, solution state, solid state, or semi-solid state; (B) heat treating the biomass and, concurrently or sequentially, using chemical or mechanical means to form graphene domains dispersed in a disordered matrix of carbon or hydrocarbon molecules, wherein the graphene domains are each composed of from 1 to 30 planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings and, in the situations wherein there are 2-30 planes in a graphene domain, having an inter-graphene space between two planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings no less than 0.4 nm; and (C) separating and isolating these planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings to recover graphene sheets from said disordered matrix.
A rechargeable sodium cell, comprising an anode, a cathode, an elastic polymer separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the elastic polymer separator has a thickness from 10 nm to 200 µm (preferably less than 50 µm) and comprises a high-elasticity polymer having a sodium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature and a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 1,000% when measured without any additive dispersed therein. The cell can be a sodium metal cell, sodium-air cell, sodium-ion cell, sodium-sulfur cell, or a sodium-selenium cell.
Provided is a method of producing isolated graphene sheets directly from a biomass, the method including: (A) providing a biomass in a liquid state, solution state, solid state, or semi-solid state; (B) heat treating the biomass and, concurrently or sequentially, using chemical or mechanical means to form graphene domains dispersed in a disordered matrix of carbon or hydrocarbon molecules, wherein the graphene domains are each composed of from 1 to 30 planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings and, in the situations wherein there are 2-30 planes in a graphene domain, having an inter-graphene space between two planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings no less than 0.4 nm; and (C) separating and isolating these planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings to recover graphene sheets from said disordered matrix.
002002 from 0.43 nm to 3.0 nm, as measured by X-ray diffraction, and the expanded inter-graphene planar spaces store sodium ions to a specific capacity no less than 150 mAh/g when the cell is in a charged state. Also provided is a method of producing such an anode and sodium-ion cell.
An anode layer for a lithium battery, said anode layer comprising (a) 50% to 95% by weight of multiple anode active material particles; (b) 0.01% to 30% by weight of a conductive additive; and (c) a high-elasticity polymer having a recoverable tensile strain from 5% to 1,000% and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-6 S/cm, wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises (i) an elastomer or rubber and (ii) a lithium ion-conducting phase comprising plastic crystal and/or organic plasticizer domains containing an optional lithium salt therein, wherein the elastomer or rubber and the lithium ion-conducting phase, separately or in combination, form a network of lithium ion-conducting pathways; the conductive additive forms a network of electron-conducing pathways that are in electrical contact with the anode particles; and the high-elasticity polymer bonds, encapsulates, embraces, or coats on the surfaces of the anode particles and the conductive additive.
H01M 4/36 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
H01M 4/62 - Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
H01M 10/0565 - Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
H01M 10/0568 - Liquid materials characterised by the solutes
H01M 4/133 - Electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
H01M 4/134 - Electrodes based on metals, Si or alloys
H01M 4/02 - Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
12.
CONDUCTING POLYMER/INORGANIC HYBRID SOLID-STATE ELECTROLYTES, LITHIUM BATTERIES CONTAINING SAME, AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES
A hybrid solid electrolyte particulate for use in a rechargeable lithium battery cell, wherein said particulate comprises one or more than one inorganic solid electrolyte particles encapsulated by a shell of conducting polymer electrolyte wherein (i) the hybrid solid electrolyte particulate has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 5 x10-2S/cm and both the inorganic solid electrolyte and the conducting polymer electrolyte individually have a lithium-ion conductivity no less than 10-6S/cm; (ii) the conducting polymer electrolyte has an electron conductivity no less than 10-6 S/cm; and (iii) the conducting polymer electrolyte-to-inorganic solid electrolyte ratio is from 1/100 to 100/1 or the conducting polymer electrolyte shell has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm. Also provided is a lithium-ion or lithium metal cell containing multiple hybrid solid electrolyte particulates in the anode and/or the cathode. Processes for producing hybrid solid electrolyte particulates are also disclosed.
Provided is a lithium-ion cell comprising an anode, a cathode, a separator that electrically separates the anode and the cathode, and an elastic, ion-conducting polymer protective layer disposed between the anode and the separator, wherein the anode comprises multiple particles of an anode active material, an optional conductive additive, and an optional polymer binder that bonds the anode material particles and conductive additive together to form the anode and wherein the polymer protective layer comprises an elastic polymer having a recoverable tensile strain from 5% to 1,000%, when measured without an additive dispersed in the elastic polymer, and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-6S/cm (preferably greater than 10-4 S/cm). Also provided is a method of producing such a cell.
A hybrid solid electrolyte particulate for use in a rechargeable lithium battery cell, wherein said particulate comprises one or more than one inorganic solid electrolyte particles encapsulated by a shell of elastic polymer electrolyte wherein (i) the hybrid solid electrolyte particulate has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 5 x10-2S/cm and both the inorganic solid electrolyte and the elastic polymer electrolyte individually have a lithium-ion conductivity no less than 10-6 S/cm; (ii) the elastic polymer electrolyte-to-inorganic solid electrolyte ratio is from 1/100 to 100/1 or the elastic polymer electrolyte shell has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm; and (iii) the elastic polymer electrolyte has a recoverable elastic tensile strain from 5% to 1,000%. Also provided is a lithium-ion or lithium metal cell containing multiple hybrid solid electrolyte particulates in the anode, cathode and/or the separator. Processes for producing hybrid solid electrolyte particulates are also disclosed.
A lithium metal battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an elastic polymer separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the elastic polymer separator comprises a high-elasticity polymer and the elastic polymer separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature and the high elasticity polymer has a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 1,000% when measured without any additive dispersed therein. Preferably, the high-elasticity polymer contains a lithium salt and/or a lithium-ion conducting additive dissolved or dispersed therein. Also provided is a process for producing the elastic polymer separator and a lithium metal battery.
H01M 50/446 - Composite material consisting of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
H01M 10/0565 - Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
H01M 10/0568 - Liquid materials characterised by the solutes
H01M 4/505 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of manganese of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
H01M 4/525 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
H01M 4/58 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFySelection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
A hybrid solid electrolyte particulate (or multiple particulates) for use in a rechargeable lithium battery cell, wherein the particulate comprises one or more than one inorganic solid electrolyte particles encapsulated by a shell of polymer electrolyte wherein the hybrid solid electrolyte particulate has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 5 x10-2S/cm and both the inorganic solid electrolyte and the polymer electrolyte individually have a lithium-ion conductivity no less than 10-6 S/cm. Also provided is a lithium-ion or lithium metal cell containing multiple hybrid solid electrolyte particulates in the anode, cathode and/or the separator. Processes for producing hybrid solid electrolyte particulates are also disclosed.
An anode active material layer for a lithium battery, the layer comprising multiple anode active material particles and a conductive additive that are protected by (embedded in and bonded by) a matrix resin comprising an ion-conducting elastomer or rubber having a recoverable tensile strain from 5% to 700% when measured without an additive or reinforcement in the polymer and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-6 S/cm at room temperature. The amount of conductive additive is preferably sufficient to form a 3D network of electron-conducing pathways that are in electrical contact with the anode material particles. Such an elastomeric or rubbery matrix also acts to maintain the structural integrity of the anode electrode, preventing interruption of the electron- and lithium ion-conducting pathways when the anode active material particles repeatedly expand and shrink in volume during battery cycling.
A composite particulate for a lithium battery, wherein said composite particulate has a diameter from 10 nm to 50 µm and comprises one or more than one anode active material particles that are dispersed in a high-elasticity polymer matrix or encapsulated by a high-elasticity polymer shell, wherein the high-elasticity polymer matrix or shell has a recoverable elastic tensile strain no less than 5%, when measured without an additive or reinforcement dispersed therein, and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-6 S/cm at room temperature and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a crosslinked polymer network of chains selected from the group consisting of Poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate, Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Poly (ethylene glycol)methyl ether acrylate, Polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE), Poly(propylene glycol) dimethacrylate, Poly(propylene glycol) diacrylate, chemically substituted versions thereof, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
A rechargeable lithium battery comprising an anode, a cathode, and a hybrid electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein: (a) the hybrid electrolyte comprises a mixture of a polymer and particles of an inorganic solid electrolyte; (b) the polymer is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or curing agent, and (iii) a lithium salt; (c) the polymer is present in the anode, the cathode, the separator, between the anode and the separator, or between the cathode and the separator; and (d) the hybrid electrolyte forms a contiguous phase in the cathode or in the anode, and occupies from 3% to 40% by volume of the cathode or from 3% to 40% by volume of the anode. Also provided is a process for producing the lithium cell.
The disclosure provides a multi-layer prelithiated anode including (a) a conducting substrate having a first primary surface and a second primary surface; (b) a first layer of lithium metal deposited onto the first primary surface of the conducting substrate; (c) a first graphitic layer that substantially covers the first lithium metal layer; and (d) a first anode active layer deposited on a primary surface of the first graphitic layer. The first anode active layer includes an anode active material. Also provided are a lithium battery including such a prelithiated anode and a method of producing such an anode.
A flame-resistant composite separator for use in a lithium battery, wherein the composite separator comprises at least a first layer and a second layer laminated together, wherein: (A) the first layer comprises a layer of inorganic solid electrolyte (e.g., a sintered solid structure) or a layer of polymer composite comprising 60%-99% by volume of inorganic material particles, inorganic material fibers, and/or polymer fibers dispersed in or bonded by a first polymer; and (B) the second layer comprises a second polymer and from 0.1% to 50% by weight of a lithium salt dispersed in the second polymer; wherein the first layer and the second layer each has a thickness from 20 nm to 100 µm and a lithium-ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature.
The disclosure provides a method of prelithiating an anode for a lithium-ion cell, the method comprising: (a) providing a pre-fabricated anode comprising an anode active material; (b) prelithiating the pre-fabricated anode by exposing the anode to a lithium source and an electrolyte solution, comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a liquid solvent, to enable lithium ions to intercalate into the anode active material until a level of lithium interaction from 5% to 100% of the maximum lithium storage capacity is achieved to form a prelithiated anode; and (c) introducing a protective polymer onto the prelithiated anode to prevent exposure of the prelithiated anode active material to the open air or into the anode to bond the prelithiated anode active material or to improve a structural integrity of the prelithiated anode, wherein the protective polymer has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x10-2 S/cm at room temperature.
H01M 4/525 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
H01M 4/62 - Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
H01M 10/0525 - Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodesLithium-ion batteries
H01M 4/02 - Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
23.
POLYMER COMPOSITE SEPARATOR FOR A LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
A flame-resistant polymer composite separator for use in a lithium battery, wherein the polymer composite separator comprises (a) a binder or matrix polymer; (b) 0.1% to 50% by weight of a lithium salt dispersed in the polymer; and (c) from 30% to 99% by weight of particles or fibers of an inorganic material or polymer fibers that are dispersed in or bonded by the polymer, wherein the polymer is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive comprising (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or crosslinking agent, and (iii) the lithium salt and wherein the polymer composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature.
H01M 50/403 - Manufacturing processes of separators, membranes or diaphragms
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and a thermally stable polymer composite separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the polymer composite separator comprises (i) a thermally stable polymer; (ii) from 0.1% to 30% by weight of a lithium salt dispersed in the thermally stable polymer; and (iii) from 30% to 99% by weight of particles of an inorganic material wherein the inorganic material particles are dispersed in or bonded by the thermally stable polymer and the composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature. Also provided are the thermally stable and ion-conducting polymer composite separators and a process for producing such a separator.
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and a thermally stable polymer composite separator disposed between said cathode and said anode, wherein said composite separator comprises a thermally stable polymer, comprising a phosphorous-containing polymer, and from 30% to 99% by weight of particles of an inorganic material electrolyte and the particles are dispersed in or bonded by the thermally stable polymer, wherein the composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature.
H01M 50/446 - Composite material consisting of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
A bipolar electrode for a lithium battery, the bipolar electrode comprising: (a) a current collector comprising a conductive material foil having two opposing primary surfaces, wherein one or both of the primary surfaces is optionally coated with a layer of graphene or expanded graphite material; and (b) a negative electrode layer and a positive electrode layer respectively deposited on the two primary surfaces, wherein the positive electrode layer comprises a mixture of particles of a cathode active material and a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte and the electrolyte comprises a nitrile and a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive comprising (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or a curing agent, and (iii) a lithium salt. Also provided is a bipolar battery that comprises a plurality of bipolar electrodes connected in series.
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
H01M 4/48 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
H01M 4/58 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFySelection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
A bipolar electrode for a lithium battery, the bipolar electrode comprising: (a) a current collector comprising a conductive material foil having two opposing primary surfaces, wherein one or both of the primary surfaces is optionally coated with a layer of graphene or expanded graphite material having a thickness from 5 nm to 50 µm; and (b) a negative electrode layer and a positive electrode layer respectively disposed on the two primary surfaces, wherein the positive electrode layer comprises a mixture of particles of a cathode active material and a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte and the electrolyte comprises a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or curing agent, and (iii) a lithium salt. Also provided is a bipolar battery comprising a plurality of bipolar electrodes connected in series.
H01M 4/13 - Electrodes for accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g. for lithium-accumulatorsProcesses of manufacture thereof
H01M 4/36 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
H01M 4/525 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
H01M 4/505 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of manganese of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, the electrode comprising an electrode active material layer comprising an electrode active material that is in physical contact with or mixed with a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive (reactive liquid electrolyte) comprising (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator and/or curing agent, (iii) a lithium salt, and (iv) an optional second liquid solvent; wherein the first liquid solvent occupies from 1% to 99% by weight and the second solvent, if present, occupies from 0.1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of the reactive additive; wherein the first liquid solvent has a lower flash point, a higher vapor pressure, a higher dielectric constant, or a higher solubility of the lithium salt as compared with the second liquid solvent.
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
H01M 4/48 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
H01M 4/58 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFySelection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
A rechargeable lithium battery comprising an anode, a cathode, a lithium-ion permeable and electrically insulating separator, and a solid-state lithium ion-transporting medium, wherein the lithium ion-transporting medium and particles of a cathode active material are combined to form a cathode active material composite layer optionally supported by a cathode current collector; wherein the cathode active material occupies at least 75% (preferably from 80% to 95%) by weight or by volume of the cathode composite layer (not counting the cathode current collector weight or volume); the first lithium ion-transporting medium comprises a material selected from graphite, graphene, carbon, a sulfonated conducting polymer, a phthalocyanine compound, an organic or organometallic cathode active material, or a combination thereof; and the first medium constitutes a 3D network of both lithium ion-conducting paths and electron-conducting paths in the cathode.
in situin situ) polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises a polymerizable liquid solvent (which may be a monomer), a initiator, crosslinking agent, or curing agent, a lithium salt, and an optional second liquid solvent; wherein the polymerizable liquid solvent is selected from the group consisting of fluorinated carbonates, sulfones, sulfides, nitriles, phosphates, phosphites, sulfates, siloxanes, silanes, and combinations thereof; and wherein at least 70% by weight or by volume of the polymerizable liquid solvent is polymerized. The first liquid solvent may have a lower flash point, a higher vapor pressure, a higher dielectric constant, or a higher solubility of the lithium salt as compared with the second liquid solvent.
A composite particulate for a lithium battery, wherein the composite particulate has a diameter from 10 nm to 50 µm and comprises one or more than one anode active material particles that are dispersed in a high-elasticity polymer matrix or encapsulated by a high-elasticity polymer shell, wherein the high-elasticity polymer matrix or shell has a recoverable elastic tensile strain no less than 5%, when measured without an additive or reinforcement dispersed therein, and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-8 S/cm at room temperature and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a polymer derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl sulfite, ethylene carbonate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, fluorinated monomers having unsaturation for polymerization, sulfones, sulfides, nitriles, sulfates, siloxanes, silanes, and combinations thereof.
A composite particulate for a lithium battery, wherein the composite particulate has a diameter from 10 nm to 50 µm and comprises one or more than one anode active material particles that are dispersed in a high-elasticity polymer matrix or encapsulated by a high-elasticity polymer shell, wherein the high-elasticity polymer matrix or shell has a recoverable elastic tensile strain no less than 5%, when measured without an additive or reinforcement dispersed therein, and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-8 S/cm at room temperature and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a polymer derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phosphonates, phosphonic acids, phosphorous acid, phosphites, phosphoric acids, combinations thereof, and combination thereof with phosphazenes. These polymers are also highly flame-resistant.
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, an elastic polymer protective layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a working electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein the protective layer comprises a high-elasticity polymer having a thickness from 2 nm to 200 µm, a lithium ion conductivity of at least 10-8 S/cm at room temperature, and a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain of at least 5% and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a polymer derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phosphonates, phosphonic acids, phosphorous acids, phosphites, phosphoric acids, combinations thereof, and combination thereof with phosphazenes and wherein the high-elasticity polymer is impregnated with from 0% to 90% by weight of a lithium salt, a non-aqueous liquid solvent, or a liquid electrolyte comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a non-aqueous liquid solvent.
A rechargeable lithium battery comprising an anode, a cathode, and a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte comprises a polyphosphazene polymer and a lithium salt dissolved or dispersed in the polymer, wherein the lithium salt occupies a weight fraction from 0.1% to 50% based on the total weight of the lithium salt and the polyphosphazene polymer combined; wherein the polyphosphazene polymer permeates into the anode and/or the cathode and in physical contact with the anode active material inside the anode and/or in physical contact with or chemically bonded to the cathode active material inside the cathode; and wherein the electrolyte further comprises from 0% to 50% by weight of a non-aqueous liquid solvent dispersed in the polymer, based on the total weight of the lithium salt, the polymer, and the non-aqueous liquid solvent combined.
A composite particulate for a lithium battery, wherein the composite particulate has a diameter from 10 nm to 50 µm and comprises one or more than one anode active material particles that are dispersed in a high-elasticity polymer matrix or encapsulated by a high-elasticity polymer shell, wherein said high-elasticity polymer matrix or shell has a recoverable elastic tensile strain no less than 5%, when measured without an additive or reinforcement dispersed therein, and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-8 S/cm at room temperature and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a crosslinked polymer network of chains derived from a phosphazene compound.
C08L 85/02 - Compositions of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming in the main chain of the macromolecule a linkage containing atoms other than silicon, sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbonCompositions of derivatives of such polymers containing phosphorus
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an elastic polymer protective layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a working electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein the elastic polymer protective layer comprises a high-elasticity polymer having a thickness from 2 nm to 200 µm, a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature, and a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain of at least 5% when measured without any additive or filler dispersed therein and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a crosslinked polymer network of chains derived from a phosphazene compound and wherein the crosslinked polymer network of chains is impregnated with from 0% to 90% by weight of a liquid electrolyte.
A rechargeable lithium battery comprising an anode, a cathode, and a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte comprises a polymer comprising chains derived from a phosphonate vinyl monomer and a lithium salt dissolved or dispersed in the polymer, wherein the lithium salt occupies a weight fraction from 0.1% to 50% based on the total weight of the lithium salt and the polyvinyl phosphonate combined. The polymer may further comprise a flame-retardant and/or particles of an inorganic solid-state electrolyte. Also provided is an electrolyte composition comprising a lithium salt and an initiator and/or a crosslinking agent dissolved or dispersed in a reactive liquid medium comprising a reactive monomer or oligomer that is a precursor to a vinyl phosphonate polymer.
A rechargeable lithium battery comprising an anode, a cathode, and a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte comprises a polymer comprising chains of a polyester of phosphoric acid and a lithium salt dissolved or dispersed in the polyester of phosphoric acid. The electrolyte may further comprise from 0.1% to 50% by weight of a non-aqueous liquid solvent dispersed in the polyester of phosphoric acid. The polymer may further comprise a flame-retardant and/or particles of an inorganic solid-state electrolyte. Also provided is an electrolyte composition comprising a lithium salt and an initiator and/or a crosslinking agent dissolved or dispersed in a reactive liquid medium comprising a reactive monomer or oligomer that is a precursor to a polyester of phosphoric acid.
H01M 4/48 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
H01M 10/0585 - Construction or manufacture of accumulators having only flat construction elements, i.e. flat positive electrodes, flat negative electrodes and flat separators
39.
HIGH-ELASTICITY POLYMER FOR LITHIUM METAL PROTECTION, LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an elastic polymer protective layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a working electrolyte, wherein the elastic polymer protective layer comprises a high-elasticity polymer having a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm, a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature, and a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 1,000% when measured without any additive or filler dispersed therein and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a crosslinked polymer network of chains derived from at least one multi-functional monomer or oligomer selected from an acrylate, polyether, polyurethane acrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, or di(trimethylolpropane) tetraacrylate, wherein a multi-functional monomer or oligomer comprises at least three reactive functional groups.
An electrolyte, comprising: (a) a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises at least one reactive polymer, reactive oligomer, or reactive monomer and a curing or crosslinking agent or initiator and wherein the reactive polymer, oligomer, or monomer comprises at least a reactive carboxylic and/or a hydroxyl group; (b) a lithium salt; and (c) an organic liquid solvent or ionic liquid. The polymer preferably comprises a cross-linked network of chains from poly (acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof. Also provided is a lithium battery comprising such an electrolyte. From 0% to 30% by weight or by volume may be included of a non-aqueous liquid solvent, based on the total weight or volume of the polymer, the lithium salt, and the liquid solvent combined. This liquid solvent proportion is preferably < 20%, more preferably < 10% and most preferably < 5% by weight or by volume. The cathode comprises particles of a cathode active material and the electrolyte is in physical contact with at least a majority of or substantially all of the cathode active material particles.
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte or separator-electrolyte assembly disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode comprises: (a) an anode current collector; and (b) a thin layer of a high-elasticity polymer composite in ionic contact with the electrolyte and disposed between the anode current collector and the electrolyte wherein the polymer composite comprises from 0.01% to 95% by weight of a flame retardant additive dispersed in, dissolved in, or chemically bonded to an elastic polymer and wherein the polymer composite has a thickness from 2 nm to 100 µm, a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 700%, and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm.
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an elastic composite separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the elastic composite separator comprises a high-elasticity polymer and from 1% to 99% by weight of particles of an inorganic solid electrolyte and the particles are dispersed in or bonded by the high-elasticity polymer, wherein the elastic composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature and the high elasticity polymer has a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 1,000% when measured without any additive dispersed therein.
H01M 50/446 - Composite material consisting of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
H01M 50/403 - Manufacturing processes of separators, membranes or diaphragms
H01M 50/46 - Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their combination with electrodes
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, an elastic and flame retardant composite separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a working electrolyte. The elastic flame retardant composite separator comprises a high-elasticity polymer and from 1% to 99% by weight of a flame retardant additive dissolved in, dispersed in, or bonded to the high-elasticity polymer. The composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 µm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm at room temperature and the high elasticity polymer has a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 1,000% when measured without any additive dispersed therein. The polymer composite may further comprise particles of an optional inorganic solid electrolyte dispersed therein.
H01M 50/489 - Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
A composite particulate for a lithium battery, wherein the composite particulate has a diameter from 10 nm to 50 µm and comprises one or more than one anode active material particles that are dispersed in a high-elasticity polymer matrix (which may form a continuous material phase) or encapsulated by a high-elasticity polymer shell, wherein the high-elasticity polymer matrix or shell has a recoverable elastic tensile strain no less than 5%, when measured without an additive or reinforcement dispersed therein, and a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-8 S/cm at room temperature and wherein the high-elasticity polymer comprises a crosslinked network of chains from at least one polymer containing carboxylic and/or hydroxyl groups or a crosslinked polymer network of chains from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a substituted version thereof, or a derivative thereof.
Provided is a lithium or sodium metal battery, comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte or separator-electrolyte assembly disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode comprises: (a) an anode current collector, initially having no lithium, lithium alloy, sodium or sodium alloy as an anode active material supported by the anode current collector when the battery is made and prior to a charge or discharge operation; and (b) a graphene foam, comprising multiple pores and pore walls, wherein the graphene foam either substantially constitutes the anode current collector or is disposed between the anode current collector and the electrolyte and wherein the graphene foam, when tested under compression, has a recoverable elastic deformation or compressibility from 5% to 150%.
Provided is a lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte or separator-electrolyte assembly disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode comprises: (a) An anode current collector, initially having no lithium or lithium alloy as an anode active material when the battery is made and prior to a charge or discharge operation; and (b) a thin layer of a high-elasticity polymer in ionic contact with the electrolyte and having a recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 700%, a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10-8 S/cm, and a thickness from 0.5 nm to 100 µm. Preferably, the high-elasticity polymer contains a cross-linked network of polymer chains having an ether linkage, nitrile-derived linkage, benzo peroxide-derived linkage, ethylene oxide linkage, propylene oxide linkage, vinyl alcohol linkage, cyano-resin linkage, triacrylate monomer-derived linkage, tetraacrylate monomer-derived linkage, or a combination thereof in the cross-linked network of polymer chains.
Provided is graphene-based personnel protection equipment (PPE) product, comprising: (a) a fabric, clothing, face shield, face mask, or glove body configured to support graphene sheets; and (b) graphene sheets deposited on a surface of the body or at least partially embedded in the body, wherein the graphene sheets comprise a plurality of discrete single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. Preferably, surfaces of graphene sheets carry an anti-microbial compound, preferably in the form of a nanoparticle, nano-wire, or nano-coating.
D06M 11/74 - Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereofSuch treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with carbon or compounds thereof with carbon or graphiteTreating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereofSuch treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with carbon or compounds thereof with carbidesTreating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereofSuch treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with carbon or compounds thereof with graphitic acids or their salts
D06M 16/00 - Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
B01D 39/20 - Other self-supporting filtering material of inorganic material, e.g. asbestos paper or metallic filtering material of non-woven wires
Provided is a humic acid-based coating suspension comprising humic acid, particles of an anti-corrosive pigment or sacrificial metal, and a binder resin dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium, wherein the humic acid has a weight fraction from 0.1% to 50% based on the total coating suspension weight excluding the liquid medium. Also provided is an object or structure coated at least in part with such a coating.
C09D 175/12 - Polyurethanes from compounds containing nitrogen and active hydrogen, the nitrogen atom not being part of an isocyanate group
C23F 11/04 - Inhibiting corrosion of metallic material by applying inhibitors to the surface in danger of corrosion or adding them to the corrosive agent in markedly acid liquids
Provided is a process for producing a polymer composite film, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a phthalocyanine compound with a polymer or its precursor and a liquid to form a slurry and forming the slurry into a wet film on a solid substrate, wherein the polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyamide, polyoxadiazole, polybenzoxazole, polybenzobisoxazole, polythiazole, polybenzothiazole, polybenzobisthiazole, poly(p-phenylene vinylene), polybenzimidazole, polybenzobisimidazole, and combinations thereof; and (b) removing the liquid from the wet film and, in some embodiments, converting the precursor to the polymer to form the polymer composite film comprising from 0.1% to 50% by weight of the phthalocyanine compound dispersed in the polymer.
3; and (B) a conducting polymer network adhesive that bonds together the graphitic or graphene films to form the laminated graphitic layer; wherein the conductive polymer network adhesive is in an amount from 0.001% to 30% by weight and wherein the laminated graphitic layer preferably has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 1% to 50% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 100 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
B32B 9/04 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
B32B 7/12 - Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
51.
A METHOD OF PRODUCING NON-FLAMMABLE QUASI-SOLID ELECTROLYTE AND A QUASI-SOLID ELECTROLYTE/SEPARATOR LAYER FOR USE IN A LITHIUM BATTERY
Provided is a method of producing a non-flammable quasi-solid electrolyte for a lithium battery, the method comprising (A) dissolving a lithium salt in a first liquid solvent to obtain a mixture having a first concentration of lithium salt less than 3.0 M (mole/L), but greater than 0.001M; and (B) removing a portion of the first liquid solvent to obtain the quasi-solid electrolyte having a final lithium salt concentration higher than the first concentration so that the electrolyte exhibits a vapor pressure less than 0.01 kPa when measured at 20°C, a vapor pressure less than 60% of the vapor pressure of the first liquid solvent alone, a flash point at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than a flash point of the first liquid solvent alone, a flash point higher than 150°C, or no detectable flash point.
H01M 10/0564 - Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte characterised by the materials used as electrolytes, e.g. mixed inorganic/organic electrolytes the electrolyte being constituted of organic materials only
H01M 10/0568 - Liquid materials characterised by the solutes
H01M 10/0569 - Liquid materials characterised by the solvents
H01M 10/0567 - Liquid materials characterised by the additives
H01M 50/409 - Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by the material
H01M 50/403 - Manufacturing processes of separators, membranes or diaphragms
Provided is a method of producing a graphitic film, comprising: (a) providing a suspension of a mixture of graphene oxide (GO) and aromatic molecules selected from petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, a polynuclear hydrocarbon, a halogenated variant thereof, or a combination thereof, dispersed or dissolved in a liquid medium; (b) dispensing and depositing the suspension onto a surface of a supporting substrate to form a wet layer, wherein the procedure includes subjecting the suspension to an orientation-inducing stress or strain; (c) partially or completely removing the liquid medium; and (d) heat treating the resulting dried layer at a first temperature selected from 20° C. to 3,200° C. so that the GO and aromatic molecules are cross-linked, merged or fused into larger aromatic molecules to form the graphitic film, wherein the larger aromatic molecules or graphene planes in the graphitic film are substantially parallel to each other.
Provided is filtration member for use in a filtration device, said filtration member comprising a layer of woven or nonwoven fabric having two primary surfaces and a layer of chemically functionalized graphite flakes deposited on at least one of the two primary surfaces or embedded in the layer of woven or nonwoven fabric, wherein said graphite flakes comprise chemical function contain 1%-50% by weight of a non-carbon element selected from O, N, H, F, Cl, Br, I, or a combination thereof. Also provided is a face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer's face; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer, (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) the filtration member comprising graphite flakes.
A62B 23/02 - Filters for breathing-protection purposes for respirators
B01D 39/08 - Filter cloth, i.e. woven, knitted or interlaced material
B01D 39/16 - Other self-supporting filtering material of organic material, e.g. synthetic fibres
B01D 46/00 - Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
B01D 46/54 - Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using ultra-fine filter sheets or diaphragms
B01J 20/20 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising free carbonSolid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising carbon obtained by carbonising processes
B32B 5/16 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer formed of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder
B32B 9/04 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance
B32B 9/06 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance of paper or cardboard
Provided is an face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer preferably comprising a hydrophobic material (e.g. water-repelling fibers), (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) a graphene layer disposed in the mask body, wherein the graphene layer comprises a plurality of discrete single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. The graphene layer may be disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer or embedded (totally or partially) in the outer layer or the inner layer.
Provided is an face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer preferably comprising a hydrophobic material (e.g. water-repelling fibers), (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) a graphene foam layer disposed in the mask body between the outer layer and the inner layer or embedded (totally or partially) in the outer layer or the inner layer. The foam pore wall graphene surfaces may be deposited with an antiviral or anti-bacteria compound.
A41D 13/11 - Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
B32B 9/00 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups
B32B 9/04 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance
B32B 5/18 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer containing foamed or specifically porous material
B32B 5/24 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by the presence of two or more layers which comprise fibres, filaments, granules, or powder, or are foamed or specifically porous one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
B32B 7/12 - Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
56.
METAL-CONTAINING GRAPHENE BALLS AS AN ANODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR AN ALKALI METAL BATTERY
Provided is a powder mass comprising multiple metal-containing graphene balls or particulates as an anode active material for a lithium battery or sodium battery, the graphene ball or particulate comprising (a) a plurality of graphene sheets, each having a length or width from 5 nm to 100 µm and forming into the ball or particulate having a diameter from 100 nm to 20 µm and (b) a lithium-attracting metal or sodium-attracting metal in a form of particles or coating having a diameter or thickness from 0.5 nm to 10 µm and in physical contact with the graphene sheets, wherein the metal is selected from Au, Ag, Mg, Zn, Ti, Na, K, Al, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Sn, V, Cr, an alloy thereof, or a combination thereof and is in an amount of 0.1% to 95% of the total particulate weight.
Provided is an anode for a lithium battery or sodium battery, the anode comprising multiple porous graphene balls and multiple particles or coating of a lithium-attracting metal or sodium-attracting metal at a graphene ball-to-metal volume ratio from 5/95 to 95/5, wherein the porous graphene ball comprises a plurality of graphene sheets forming into the ball having a diameter from 100 nm to 20 µm and a pore or multiple pores having a pore volume fraction from 10% to 99.9% based on the total graphene ball volume, and wherein the particles or coating of lithium-attracting metal or sodium-attracting metal, having a diameter or thickness from 1 nm to 20 µm, are selected from Au, Ag, Mg, Zn, Ti, K, Al, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Sn, V, Cr, an alloy thereof, or a combination thereof.
Provided is a process for producing a graphene oxide platelet-filled polyimide film comprising the steps of: (a) mixing graphene oxide platelets with a polyimide precursor material and a liquid to form a slurry; (b) forming a wet film from said slurry; (c) partially or completely removing the liquid from the wet film to form a precursor polyimide composite film; and (d) imidizing the precursor polyimide composite film to approximately 90% or more completion of the crosslinking reaction, to obtain a graphene oxide platelet-filled composite film.
H01B 1/04 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materialsSelection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of carbon-silicon compounds, carbon, or silicon
Provided is a process for manufacturing a graphene material, the process comprising (a) injecting a rust stock into a first end of a continuous reactor having a toroidal vortex flow, wherein the first stock comprises graphite and a non-oxidizing liquid (or, alternatively, graphite, an acid, and an optional oxidizer) and the continuous flow reactor is configured to produce the toroidal vortex flow, enabling the formation of a reaction product suspension or slurry at the second end, downstream from the first end, of the continuous reactor; and (b) introducing the reaction product suspension/slurry from the second end back to enter the continuous reactor at or near the first end, allowing the reaction product suspension/slurry to form a toroidal vortex flow and move down to or near the second end to produce a graphene suspension or graphene oxide slurry. The process may further comprise repeating step (b) for at least one time.
Provided is a continuous reactor system for producing graphene or an inorganic 2-D compound, the reactor comprising: (a) a first body comprising an outer wall and a second body comprising an inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a bore and the first body is configured within the bore and a motor is configured to rotate the first and/or second body; (b) a reaction chamber between the outer wall of the first body and the inner wall of the second body; (c) a first inlet and a second inlet disposed at first end of the reactor and in fluid communication with the reaction chamber; (d) a first outlet and a second outlet disposed downstream from the first inlet, the outlets being in fluid communication with the reaction chamber; and (e) a flow return conduit having two inlets/outlets in fluid communication with two ends of the reactor.
B01J 8/00 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes
B01J 8/08 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with moving particles
B01J 8/10 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with moving particles moved by stirrers or by rotary drums or rotary receptacles
C01B 32/192 - Preparation by exfoliation starting from graphitic oxides
Provided is an elastic heat spreader film comprising: a) a graphitic film prepared from graphitization of a polymer film or pitch film, wherein the graphitic film has graphitic crystals parallel to one another and parallel to a film plane, having an inter-graphene spacing less than 0.34 nm, and wherein the graphitic film alone, after compression, has a thermal conductivity at least 600 W/mK, an electrical conductivity no less than 4,000 S/cm, and a physical density greater than 1.7 g/cm3; and b) an elastomer or rubber that permeates into the graphitic film from at least a surface of the film; wherein the elastomer or rubber is in an amount from 0.001% to 30% by weight based on the total heat spreader film weight. The elastic heat spreader film has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 100% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 100 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
C04B 35/52 - Shaped ceramic products characterised by their compositionCeramic compositionsProcessing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxides based on carbon, e.g. graphite
C04B 35/622 - Forming processesProcessing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
H01B 1/04 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materialsSelection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of carbon-silicon compounds, carbon, or silicon
62.
Continuous production of 2D inorganic compound platelets
Provided is a process for manufacturing 2D inorganic compound platelets, the process comprising (a) preparing a first stock containing a 3D layered inorganic compound material dispersed in a liquid medium, (h) injecting the first stock into a continuous reactor having a vortex flow, (c) operating the continuous reactor to form a reaction product suspension containing 2D inorganic compound platelets dispersed in the liquid medium, and (d) separating and recovering said 2D inorganic compound platelets from said product suspension. The product suspension may be directed to flow back to the continuous director for further processing for at least another pass through the reactor, prior to step (d). The continuous reactor is preferably a Couette-Taylor reactor.
Provided is an elastic heat spreader film comprising: a) a graphitic film prepared from graphitization of a polymer film or pitch film, wherein the graphitic film has graphitic crystals parallel to one another and parallel to a film plane, having an inter-graphene spacing less than 0.34 nm, and wherein the graphitic film alone, after compression, has a thermal conductivity at least 600 W/mK, an electrical conductivity no less than 4,000 S/cm, and a physical density greater than 1.7 g/cm3; and b) an elastomer or rubber that permeates into the graphitic film from at least a surface of the film; wherein the elastomer or rubber is in an amount from 0.001% to 30% by weight based on the total heat spreader film weight. The elastic heat spreader film has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 100% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 100 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
Provided is a elastic heat spreader film (and production process for manufacturing same) comprising: (a) an elastomer or rubber as a binder material or a matrix material; and (b) multiple graphene sheets that are bonded by the binder material or dispersed in the matrix material, wherein the multiple graphene sheets are substantially aligned to be parallel to one another and wherein the elastomer or rubber is in an amount from 0.001% to 20% by weight based on the total heat spreader film weight; wherein the multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof; and wherein the elastic heat spreader film has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 100% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 200 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
Provided is a elastic heat spreader film comprising: (a) an elastomer or rubber as a binder material or a matrix material; and (b) multiple graphene sheets that are bonded by the binder material or dispersed in the matrix material, wherein the multiple graphene sheets are substantially aligned to be parallel to one another and wherein the elastomer or rubber is in an amount from 0.001% to 20% by weight based on the total heat spreader film weight; wherein the multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof; and wherein the elastic heat spreader film has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 100% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 200 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
Provided is a process for producing an elastic heat spreader film, the process comprising: (a) providing a layer of an aggregate or cluster of multiple graphene sheets; (b) impregnating an elastomer or rubber into the aggregate or cluster as a binder material or a matrix material to produce an impregnated aggregate or cluster, wherein the multiple graphene sheets are bonded by the binder material or dispersed in the matrix material and the elastomer or rubber is in an amount from 0.001% to 20% by weight based on the total heat spreader film weight; and (c) compressing the impregnated aggregate or cluster to produce the heat spreader film wherein the multiple graphene sheets are substantially aligned to be parallel to one another and wherein the elastic heat spreader film has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 100% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 200 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
B29C 70/62 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising fillers only the filler being oriented during moulding
B29C 43/02 - Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding materialApparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29C 43/56 - Compression moulding under special conditions, e.g. vacuum
67.
EXPANDED GRAPHITE-ENHANCED VAPOR-BASED HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE AND PRODUCTION PROCESS
Provided is a vapor-based heat transfer apparatus (e.g. a vapor chamber or a heat pipe), comprising: a hollow structure having a hollow chamber enclosed inside a sealed envelope or container made of a thermally conductive material, a wick structure in contact with one or a plurality of walls of the hollow structure (interior wall of the hollow chamber), and a working liquid within the hollow chamber and in contact with the wick structure, wherein the wick structure comprises flakes of exfoliated graphite worms or expanded graphite. Preferably, these flakes are substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to the hollow chamber wall surface (e.g. aligned parallel to the heat flow direction from the heat source).
F28D 15/04 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat-pipes with tubes having a capillary structure
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L 23/427 - Cooling by change of state, e.g. use of heat pipes
F28D 15/02 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat-pipes
68.
Graphene-enhanced vapor-based heat transfer device
Provided is a vapor-based heat transfer apparatus (e.g. a vapor chamber or a heat pipe), comprising: a hollow structure having a hollow chamber enclosed inside a sealed envelope or container made of a thermally conductive material, a wick structure in contact with one or a plurality of walls of the hollow structure, and a working liquid within the hollow structure and in contact with the wick structure, wherein the wick structure comprises a graphene material.
F28D 15/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls
F28D 15/04 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat-pipes with tubes having a capillary structure
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
69.
Oriented graphene sheet-enhanced vapor-based heat transfer device and process for producing same
Provided is a vapor-based heat transfer apparatus (e.g. a vapor chamber or a heat pipe), comprising: a hollow structure having a hollow chamber enclosed inside a sealed envelope or container made of a thermally conductive material, a wick structure in contact with one or a plurality of walls of the hollow structure, and a working liquid within the hollow structure and in contact with the wick structure, wherein the wick structure comprises a graphene material and the hollow structure walls comprise an evaporator wall having a first surface plane and a condenser wall having a second surface plane, wherein multiple sheets of the graphene material in the wick structure are aligned to be substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to at least one of the first surface plane and the second surface plane. Also provided is a process for producing this apparatus.
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
F28D 15/04 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat-pipes with tubes having a capillary structure
70.
Production of graphitic films directly from highly aromatic molecules
Provided is a method of producing a graphitic film, comprising: (a) providing a suspension of aromatic molecules selected from petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, a polynuclear hydrocarbon, a halogenated variant thereof, or a combination thereof, dispersed or dissolved in a liquid medium; (b) dispensing and depositing the suspension onto a surface of a supporting substrate to form a wet layer of aromatic molecules, wherein the procedure includes subjecting the suspension to an orientation-inducing stress or strain; (c) partially or completely removing the liquid medium; and (d) heat treating the resulting dried layer at a first temperature selected from 25° C. to 3,200° C. so that the aromatic molecules are merged or fused into larger aromatic molecules to form the graphitic film having graphene domains or graphite crystals, wherein the larger aromatic molecules or graphene planes in the graphene domains or graphite crystals are substantially parallel to each other.
C04B 35/524 - Shaped ceramic products characterised by their compositionCeramic compositionsProcessing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxides based on carbon, e.g. graphite obtained from polymer precursors, e.g. glass-like carbon material
Disclosed is a process for producing metal nanowires having a diameter or thickness from 2 nm to 100 nm, the process comprising: (a) preparing a source metal particulate having a size from 50 nm to 500 µm, selected from a transition metal, Al, Be, Mg, Ca, an alloy thereof, a compound thereof, or a combination thereof; (b) depositing a catalytic metal, in the form of nanoparticles or a coating having a diameter or thickness from 1 nm to 100 nm, onto a surface of the source metal particulate to form a catalyst metal-coated metal material, wherein the catalytic metal is different than the source metal material; and (c) exposing the catalyst metal-coated metal material to a high temperature environment, from 100℃ to 2,500℃, for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-assisted growth of multiple metal nanowires from the source metal particulate.
C30B 29/60 - Single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure characterised by the material or by their shape characterised by shape
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
C22C 1/04 - Making non-ferrous alloys by powder metallurgy
H01B 13/32 - Filling or coating with impervious material
H01B 13/00 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
72.
PROCESS FOR PRODUCING METAL NANOWIRES AND NANOWIRE-GRAPHENE HYBRID PARTICULATES
Disclosed is a process for producing graphene-metal nanowire hybrid material, comprising: (A) preparing a catalyst metal-coated mixture mass, which includes mixing graphene sheets with source metal particles to form a mixture and depositing a nanoscaled catalytic metal onto surfaces of the graphene sheets and/or metal particles; and (B) exposing the catalyst metal-coated mixture mass to a high temperature environment (preferably from 100C to 2,500C) for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-catalyzed growth of multiple metal nanowires using the source metal particles as a feed material to form the graphene-metal nanowire hybrid material composition. An optional etching or separating procedure may be conducted to remove catalytic metal or graphene from the metal nanowires.
C30B 29/60 - Single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure characterised by the material or by their shape characterised by shape
Provided is a powder mass and process for producing a graphene/Si nanowire hybrid material as a lithium-ion battery anode active material, comprising multiple Si nanowires inter-mixed with multiple graphene sheets wherein the Si nanowires have a diameter from 2 nm to 50 nm, a length from 50 nm to 20 µm and a radius of curvature from 100 nm to 10 µm, and the Si nanowires are in an amount from 0.5% to 99%. Preferably, the powder mass comprises multiple secondary particles or particulates and at least one of the particulates comprises a core and a shell embracing the core, wherein the core comprises a single or a plurality of graphene sheets and a plurality of Si nanowires, and the graphene sheets and the Si nanowires are mutually bonded or agglomerated in the core and the shell comprises one or a plurality of graphene sheets that embrace or encapsulate the core.
C30B 29/60 - Single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure characterised by the material or by their shape characterised by shape
C01B 32/05 - Preparation or purification of carbon not covered by groups , , ,
Provided is a porous anode material structure for a lithium-ion battery (and method of manufacturing same), the structure comprising (A) an integral 3D graphene-carbon hybrid foam comprising multiple pores, having a pore volume Vp, and pore walls; and (B) coating of an anode active material, having a coating volume Vc, coated on surfaces of the pore walls; wherein pore walls contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets chemically bonded by a carbon material having a carbon material-to-graphene weight ratio from 1/200 to 1/2, and wherein the volume ratio Vp/Vc is from 0.1/1.0 to 10/1.0.
Provided is a lithium metal secondary battery (and method for manufacturing same) comprising a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte-separator assembly disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode comprises: (a) an anode active material layer containing a layer of lithium or lithium alloy optionally supported by an anode current collector; and (b) an anode-protecting layer in physical contact with the anode active material layer and in ionic contact with the electrolyte-separator assembly, having a thickness from 10 nm to 500 µm and comprising an elastic polymer foam having a fully recoverable elastic compressive strain from 2% to 500% and pores having a pore volume fraction from 5% to 95% (most preferably 50-95%); wherein preferably the pores are interconnected.
Disclosed is a process for producing semiconductor nanowires having a diameter or thickness from 2 nm to 100 nm, the process comprising: (A) preparing a semiconductor material particulate having a size from 50 nm to 500 µm, selected from Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Pb, P, As, Sb, Bi, Te, a combination thereof, a compound thereof, or a combination thereof with Si; (B) depositing a catalytic metal, in the form of nanoparticles having a size from 1 nm to 100 nm or a coating having a thickness from 1 nm to 100 nm, onto surfaces of the semiconductor material particulate to form a catalyst metal-coated semiconductor material; and (C) exposing the catalyst metal-coated semiconductor material to a high temperature environment, from 100°C to 2,500°C, for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-assisted growth of multiple semiconductor nanowires from the particulate.
C30B 29/60 - Single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure characterised by the material or by their shape characterised by shape
C30B 33/00 - After-treatment of single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
Disclosed is a process for producing graphene-semiconductor nanowire hybrid material, comprising: (A) preparing a catalyst metal-coated mixture mass, which includes mixing graphene sheets with micron or sub-micron scaled semiconductor particles to form a mixture and depositing a nano-scaled catalytic metal onto surfaces of the graphene sheets and/or semiconductor particles; and (B) exposing the catalyst metal-coated mixture mass to a high temperature environment (preferably from 100°C to 2,500°C) for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-catalyzed growth of multiple semiconductor nanowires using the semiconductor particles as a feed material to form the graphene-semiconductor nanowire hybrid material composition. An optional etching or separating procedure may be conducted to remove catalytic metal or graphene from the semiconductor nanowires.
C30B 29/60 - Single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure characterised by the material or by their shape characterised by shape
C30B 33/00 - After-treatment of single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure
H01M 4/36 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
H01M 4/587 - Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx for inserting or intercalating light metals
H01M 4/62 - Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
Provided is an anode particulate or a solid mass of particulates for a lithium battery, the particulate comprising a graphite matrix and a single or a plurality of carbon foam-protected primary particles of an anode active material embedded or dispersed in said graphite matrix, wherein the primary particles of anode active material contain at least one porous particle having a surface pore, internal pore, or both surface and internal pores, having a pore volume of Vpp and a solid volume Va, the carbon foam contains pores having a pore volume Vp, and the volume ratio Vp/Va is from 0.1/1.0 to 5.0/1.0 or a total pore-to-solid volume ratio (Vp + Vpp)/Va is from 0.3/1.0 to 10/1.0 and wherein the carbon foam is physically or chemically connected to the graphite matrix and the primary anode particles. The carbon foam is preferably reinforced with a high-strength material.
Provided is an anode particulate for a lithium battery, the particulate comprising a core and a thin encapsulating layer that encapsulates or embraces the core, wherein the core comprises a single or a plurality of primary particles of an anode active material, having a volume Va, dispersed or embedded in a porous carbon matrix (a carbon foam), wherein the porous carbon matrix contains pores having a pore volume Vp, and the thin encapsulating layer comprises graphene sheets and has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm, an electric conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 20,000 S/cm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm and wherein the volume ratio Vp/Va is from 0.5/1.0 to 5.0/1.0. The carbon foam is preferably reinforced with a high-strength material.
Provided is an anode particulate or a solid mass of particulates for a lithium battery, the particulate comprising a graphite matrix and a single or a plurality of carbon foam-protected primary particles of an anode active material embedded or dispersed in the graphite matrix, wherein the primary particles of anode active material have a volume Va, the carbon foam contains pores having a pore volume Vp, and the volume ratio Vp/Va is from 0.3/1.0 to 5.0/1.0 and wherein the carbon foam is physically or chemically connected to both the graphite matrix and the primary particles of the anode active material. The carbon foam is preferably reinforced with a high-strength material.
A polymer matrix composite containing graphene sheets homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix wherein the polymer matrix composite exhibits a percolation threshold from 0.0001% to 0.1% by volume of graphene sheets to form a 3D network of interconnected graphene sheets or network of electron-conducting pathways.
A polymer matrix composite containing graphene sheets homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix wherein the polymer matrix composite exhibits a percolation threshold from 0.0001% to 0.1% by volume of graphene sheets to form a 3D network of interconnected graphene sheets or network of electron-conducting pathways.
H01B 1/18 - Conductive material dispersed in non-conductive inorganic material the conductive material comprising carbon-silicon compounds, carbon, or silicon
Provided is a lithium battery anode electrode comprising multiple particulates of an anode active material, wherein at least a particulate comprises one or a plurality of particles of said anode active material having a volume Va, an electron-conducting material as a matrix, binder or filler material, and pores having a volume Vp which are encapsulated by a thin encapsulating layer of an electrically conducting material, wherein the thin encapsulating layer has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm, an electric conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 20,000 S/cm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2S/cm and the volume ratio Vp/Va in the particulate is from 0.3/1.0 to 5.0/1.0. If a single primary particle is encapsulated, the single primary particle is itself porous having a free space to expand into without straining the thin encapsulating layer when the lithium battery is charged. Also, provided is a method of producing multiple anode particulates.
An anode for a lithium battery, comprising multiple porous graphene particulates, wherein at least one of the particulates comprises multiple pores (total volume Vpp), pore walls, and primary particles of an anode active material (total volume Va), disposed in the pores, wherein (a) the pore walls contain a graphene material; (b) the primary particles are in an amount from 0.5% to 95% by weight based on the total particulate weight; (c) the particulate is embraced or encapsulated by a thin encapsulating layer of electrically conducting material having a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm, an electric conductivity from 10-6S/cm to 20,000 S/cm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-8S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm; and (d) the volume ratio Vpp/Va is from 1.3/1.0 to 5.0/1.0. Also, a process for producing multiple porous graphene particulates for a lithium battery anode.
Provided is a process for producing a multi-layer graphitic laminate, the process comprising: (A) providing a plurality of graphitic films or graphene layers, wherein at least one of said graphene layers is selected from a sheet of graphene paper, graphene fabric, graphene film, graphene membrane, or graphene foam; and (B) laminating at least two of the graphitic films and graphene layers and a conductive adhesive layer disposed between the two graphitic films or graphene layers to form the multi-layer graphitic laminate, wherein the conductive adhesive layer comprises graphene sheets or expanded graphite flakes dispersed in or bonded by an adhesive resin and the graphene sheets or expanded graphite flakes occupy a weight fraction from 0.01% to 99% based on the total conductive adhesive weight.
Provided is a multi-layer graphitic laminate comprising at least two graphitic films or graphene layers and a layer of conductive adhesive disposed between the two graphitic films or graphene layers and bonded thereto, wherein the conductive adhesive layer comprises graphene sheets or expanded graphite flakes disperse in or bonded by an adhesive resin, and the graphene sheets or expanded graphite flakes occupy a weight fraction from 0.01% to 99% based on the total conductive adhesive weight. Also provided is a process for producing a multi-layer graphitic laminate.
Provided is a multi-layer graphitic laminate comprising at least two graphitic films or graphene layers and a layer of conductive adhesive disposed between the two graphitic films or graphene layers and bonded thereto, wherein the conductive adhesive layer comprises graphene sheets or expanded graphite flakes disperse in or bonded by an adhesive resin, and the graphene sheets or expanded graphite flakes occupy a weight fraction from 0.01% to 99% based on the total conductive adhesive weight.
F28F 21/02 - Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of carbon, e.g. graphite
B32B 9/04 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance
B32B 7/12 - Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
H05K 9/00 - Screening of apparatus or components against electric or magnetic fields
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
88.
Process for producing monolithic film of integrated highly oriented halogenated graphene sheets or molecules
y, wherein Z is a halogen element selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or a combination thereof, x=0.01 to 6.0, y=0 to 5.0, and x+y≤6.0; and (d) removing the fluid medium.
C23C 16/06 - Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes characterised by the deposition of metallic material
89.
ELECTROCHEMICALLY STABLE ELASTOMER-ENCAPSULATED PARTICLES OF CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIALS FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES
Provided is a lithium battery cathode electrode comprising multiple particulates of a cathode active material, wherein at least a particulate is composed of one or a plurality of particles of a cathode active material being encapsulated by a thin layer of inorganic filler-reinforced elastomer having from 0.01% to 50% by weight of an inorganic filler dispersed in an elastomeric matrix material based on the total weight of the inorganic filler-reinforced elastomer, wherein the encapsulating thin layer of inorganic filler-reinforced elastomer has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm, a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 500%, and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-7S/cm to 5 x 10-2S/cm and the inorganic filler has a lithium intercalation potential from 1.1 V to 4.5 V (preferably 1.2-2.5 V) versus Li/Li+. Also provided is a method of producing a powder mass for a lithium battery.
H01M 4/36 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
H01M 4/60 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of organic compounds
H01M 4/48 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
H01M 4/58 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFySelection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
H01M 4/76 - Containers for holding the active material, e.g. tubes, capsules
90.
PROTECTED PARTICLES OF CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIALS FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES
Provided is a lithium battery cathode electrode comprising multiple particulates of a cathode active material, wherein at least a particulate comprises one or a plurality of particles of a cathode active material being encapsulated by a thin layer of a sulfonated elastomer, wherein the encapsulating thin layer of sulfonated elastomer has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 µm, a fully recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 800%, and a lithium ion conductivity from 10-7S/cm to 5 x 10-2 S/cm. The encapsulating layer may further contain an electron-conducting additive and/or a lithium ion-conducting additive dispersed in the sulfonated elastomer. Also provided is a method of producing a powder mass for a lithium battery.
H01M 4/36 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
H01M 4/62 - Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
H01M 4/58 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFySelection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
H01M 4/48 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
H01M 4/13 - Electrodes for accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g. for lithium-accumulatorsProcesses of manufacture thereof
Provided is a lithium-ion battery containing an anode, a cathode, a porous separator, and an electrolyte, wherein the cathode comprises particles of a cathode active material that are packed together to form a cathode active material layer having interstitial spaces to accommodate a lithium ion receptor disposed therein and configured to receive lithium ions from the anode and enable lithium ions to enter the particles in a time-delayed manner, wherein the receptor comprises lithium-capturing groups selected from (a) redox forming species that reversibly form a redox pair with a lithium ion when the battery is charged; (b) electron-donating groups interspaced between non-electron-donating groups; (c) anions and cations wherein the anions are less or more mobile than the cations; (d) chemical reducing groups that partially reduce lithium ions from Li+1to Li+δ, wherein 0 < δ < 1; (e) an ionic liquid; or (f) a combination thereof. Also provided is a method of improving fast-dischargeability or high rate capability of a lithium secondary battery containing an anode, a cathode, a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte.
An optically transparent and electrically conductive film composed of metal nanowires or carbon nanotubes combined with pristine graphene with a metal nanowire-to-graphene or carbon nanotube-to-graphene weight ratio from 1/99 to 99/1, wherein the pristine graphene is single-crystalline and contains no oxygen and no hydrogen, and the film exhibits an optical transparence no less than 80% and sheet resistance no higher than 300 ohm/square. This film can be used as a transparent conductive electrode in an electro-optic device, such as a photovoltaic or solar cell, light-emitting diode, photo-detector, touch screen, electro-wetting display, liquid crystal display, plasma display, LED display, a TV screen, a computer screen, or a mobile phone screen.
H01B 1/04 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materialsSelection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of carbon-silicon compounds, carbon, or silicon
B82Y 30/00 - Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
93.
Environmentally benign production of graphene suspensions
A method of producing a graphene suspension, comprising: (a) mixing multiple particles of a graphitic material and multiple particles of a solid carrier material to form a mixture in an impacting chamber of an energy impacting apparatus; (b) operating the energy impacting apparatus with a frequency and an intensity for a length of time sufficient for peeling off graphene sheets from the graphitic material and transferring the graphene sheets to surfaces of the carrier material particles to produce graphene-coated carrier particles inside the impacting chamber; and (c) dispersing the graphene-coated carrier particles in a liquid medium and separating the graphene sheets from the carrier material particles using ultrasonication or mechanical shearing means and removing the carrier material from the liquid medium to produce the graphene suspension. The process is fast (1-4 hours as opposed to 5-120 hours of conventional processes), environmentally benign, cost effective, and highly scalable.
A method of producing graphene sheets from coke or coal powder, comprising: (a) forming an intercalated coke or coal compound by electrochemical intercalation conducted in an intercalation reactor, which contains (i) a liquid solution electrolyte comprising an intercalating agent; (ii) a working electrode that contains the powder in ionic contact with the liquid electrolyte, wherein the coke or coal powder is selected from petroleum coke, coal-derived coke, meso-phase coke, synthetic coke, leonardite, lignite coal, or natural coal mineral powder; and (iii) a counter electrode in ionic contact with the electrolyte, and wherein a current is imposed upon the working electrode and the counter electrode for effecting electrochemical intercalation of the intercalating agent into the powder; and (b) exfoliating and separating graphene planes from the intercalated coke or coal compound using an ultrasonication, thermal shock exposure, mechanical shearing treatment, or a combination thereof to produce isolated graphene sheets.
A method of producing a graphene suspension, comprising: (a) mixing multiple particles of a graphitic material and multiple particles of a solid carrier material to form a mixture in an impacting chamber of an energy impacting apparatus; (b) operating the energy impacting apparatus with a frequency and an intensity for a length of time sufficient for peeling off graphene sheets from the graphitic material and transferring the graphene sheets to surfaces of the carrier material particles to produce graphene-coated carrier particles inside the impacting chamber; and (c) dispersing the graphene-coated carrier particles in a liquid medium and separating the graphene sheets from the carrier material particles using ultrasonication or mechanical shearing means and removing the carrier material from the liquid medium to produce the graphene suspension. The process is fast (1-4 hours as opposed to 5-120 hours of conventional processes), environmentally benign, cost effective, and highly scalable.
Provided is a method of producing multiple isolated hollow graphene balls, comprising: (a) mixing multiple particles of a graphitic material and multiple particles of a solid polymer carrier material to form a mixture in an impacting chamber of an energy impacting apparatus; (b) operating the energy impacting apparatus to peel off graphene sheets from the graphitic material and transferring the graphene sheets to surfaces of solid polymer carrier material particles to produce graphene-coated polymer particles; (c) recovering the graphene-coated polymer particles from the impacting chamber; and (d) suspending the graphene-encapsulated polymer particles in a gaseous medium to keep the particles separated from each other while concurrently pyrolyzing the particles to thermally convert polymer into pores and carbon, wherein at least one of the graphene balls comprises a hollow core enclosed by a shell composed of graphene sheets bonded together by carbon.
A method of producing isolated graphene oxide sheets directly from a graphitic material, comprising: a) mixing multiple particles of a graphitic material, an optional oxidizing liquid, and multiple particles of a solid carrier material to form a mixture in an impacting chamber of an energy impacting apparatus; b) operating the energy impacting apparatus with a frequency and an intensity for a length of time sufficient for peeling off graphene sheets from the graphitic material and transferring the graphene sheets to surfaces of the solid carrier material particles to produce graphene-coated solid carrier particles inside the impacting chamber; and c) sequentially or concurrently oxidizing and separating the graphene sheets from the solid carrier material particle surfaces to produce isolated graphene oxide sheets. The process is fast (1-4 hours as opposed to 5-120 hours of conventional processes), has low or no water usage, environmentally benign, cost effective, and highly scalable.
Provided is a simple, fast, scalable, and environmentally benign method of producing graphene-stabilized lithium metal particles, comprising: a) mixing particles of a graphitic material, polymer-coated particles of a lithium-attracting seed material, and optional ball-milling media to form a mixture in an impacting chamber of an energy impacting apparatus; b) operating the apparatus with a frequency and an intensity for a length of time sufficient for peeling off graphene sheets from particles of graphitic material and transferring the peeled graphene sheets to surfaces of the polymer-coated particles and fully encapsulate the particles to produce graphene-encapsulated polymer-coated solid particles; c) recovering the graphene-encapsulated polymer-coated solid particles from the impacting chamber and removing the polymer from the particles to produce graphene balls, wherein the graphene ball has a graphene shell, a lithium-attracting seed material particle and a hollow space; and d) impregnating the graphene balls with lithium metal.
H01M 4/36 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
H01M 4/38 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of elements or alloys
H01M 4/62 - Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
H01M 4/1397 - Processes of manufacture of electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
Provided is a powder mass of multiple individual hollow graphene balls, wherein at least one of the hollow graphene balls has a graphene shell composed of graphene sheets bonded by a carbon material and a hollow core enclosed by the graphene shell. These hollow graphene sheets can be used in a broad array of applications, such as for thermal management, for separating an organic solvent from a solvent-water mixture, and for separating oil from water. Also provided is a method of producing multiple isolated hollow graphene balls.
Provided is a powder mass of multiple individual hollow graphene balls, wherein at least one of the hollow graphene balls has a graphene shell composed of graphene sheets bonded by a carbon material and a hollow core enclosed by the graphene shell. These hollow graphene sheets can be used in a broad array of applications, such as for thermal management, for separating an organic solvent from a solvent-water mixture, and for separating oil from water.
C09K 5/14 - Solid materials, e.g. powdery or granular
B01J 20/28 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
