09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
Produits et services
Ultra high powered lithium batteries;400 Wh/Kg lithium-ion batteries; rechargeable ultra high-powered electric lithium cell batteries, for military and industrial use
Provided are battery electrode structures that maintain high mass loadings (i.e., large amounts per unit area) of high capacity active materials in the electrodes without deteriorating their cycling performance. These mass loading levels correspond to capacities per electrode unit area that are suitable for commercial electrodes even though the active materials are kept thin and generally below their fracture limits. A battery electrode structure may include multiple template layers. An initial template layer may include nanostructures attached to a substrate and have a controlled density. This initial layer may be formed using a controlled thickness source material layer provided, for example, on a substantially inert substrate. Additional one or more template layers are then formed over the initial layer resulting in a multilayer template structure with specific characteristics, such as a surface area, thickness, and porosity. The multilayer template structure is then coated with a high capacity active material.
Provided herein are nanostructures for lithium ion battery electrodes and methods of fabrication. In some embodiments, a nanostructure template coated with a silicon coating is provided. The silicon coating may include a non-conformal, more porous layer and a conformal, denser layer on the non-conformal, more porous layer. In some embodiments, two different deposition processes, e.g., a PECVD layer to deposit the non-conformal layer and a thermal CVD process to deposit the conformal layer, are used. Anodes including the nanostructures have longer cycle lifetimes than anodes made using either a PECVD or thermal CVD method alone.
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/136 - Électrodes à base de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFy
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
9.
Stabilized, prelithiated silicon oxide particles for lithium ion battery anodes
Although silicon-oxide based particles have stable capacity and high cycling efficiency as anode active material, they are known to suffer significant capacity loss during the first battery cycles. The addition of lithium silicate may help to mitigate the initial capacity loss, but it has been difficult to produce such anodes. During battery manufacture cell components are exposed to water, and lithium silicate is water soluble. As lithium silicate dissolves, the pH of the water increases, which can etch silicon, degrading the anode active material. Such degradation can be mitigated by doping lithium silicate with multivalent elements or by converting some silicon to metal silicide before water processing. Doping of lithium silicate makes it less soluble in water. And metal silicide is not as easily etched as silicon. While retaining the excellent capacity and stability of silicon-oxide based material, these methods and the structures they produce have been shown to increase the effective energy density of batteries that employ such structures by offsetting capacity loss in the first cycles.
H01M 4/485 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes inorganiques d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes mixtes pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers, p. ex. LiTi2O4 ou LiTi2OxFy
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/131 - Électrodes à base d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes mixtes, ou de mélanges d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes, p. ex. LiCoOx
H01M 4/133 - Électrodes à base de matériau carboné, p. ex. composés d'intercalation du graphite ou CFx
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/1391 - Procédés de fabrication d'électrodes à base d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes mixtes, ou de mélanges d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes, p. ex. LiCoOx
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/1393 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 4/62 - Emploi de substances spécifiées inactives comme ingrédients pour les masses actives, p. ex. liants, charges
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
10.
ELECTRODE INCLUDING NANOSTRUCTURES FOR RECHARGEABLE CELLS
A lithium ion battery electrode includes silicon nanowires used for insertion of lithium ions and including a conductivity enhancement, the nanowires growth-rooted to the conductive substrate.
x material prevents silicon crystalline domain growth, limits macroscopic swelling, increases lithium diffusion rate and enhances significantly battery life during lithium ion battery cycle of charge and discharge.
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
12.
Structurally controlled deposition of silicon onto nanowires
Provided herein are nanostructures for lithium ion battery electrodes and methods of fabrication. In some embodiments, a nanostructure template coated with a silicon coating is provided. The silicon coating may include a non-conformal, more porous layer and a conformal, denser layer on the non-conformal, more porous layer. In some embodiments, two different deposition processes, e.g., a PECVD layer to deposit the non-conformal layer and a thermal CVD process to deposit the conformal layer, are used. Anodes including the nanostructures have longer cycle lifetimes than anodes made using either a PECVD or thermal CVD method alone.
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
H01M 4/136 - Électrodes à base de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFy
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
14.
Stabilized, prelithiated silicon oxide particles for lithium ion battery anodes
Although silicon-oxide based particles have stable capacity and high cycling efficiency as anode active material, they are known to suffer significant capacity loss during the first battery cycles. The addition of lithium silicate may help to mitigate the initial capacity loss, but it has been difficult to produce such anodes. During battery manufacture cell components are exposed to water, and lithium silicate is water soluble. As lithium silicate dissolves, the pH of the water increases, which can etch silicon, degrading the anode active material. Such degradation can be mitigated by doping lithium silicate with multivalent elements or by converting some silicon to metal silicide before water processing. Doping of lithium silicate makes it less soluble in water. And metal silicide is not as easily etched as silicon. While retaining the excellent capacity and stability of silicon-oxide based material, these methods and the structures they produce have been shown to increase the effective energy density of batteries that employ such structures by offsetting capacity loss in the first cycles.
H01M 4/485 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes inorganiques d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes mixtes pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers, p. ex. LiTi2O4 ou LiTi2OxFy
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/131 - Électrodes à base d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes mixtes, ou de mélanges d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes, p. ex. LiCoOx
H01M 4/1391 - Procédés de fabrication d'électrodes à base d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes mixtes, ou de mélanges d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes, p. ex. LiCoOx
H01M 4/133 - Électrodes à base de matériau carboné, p. ex. composés d'intercalation du graphite ou CFx
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/1393 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 4/62 - Emploi de substances spécifiées inactives comme ingrédients pour les masses actives, p. ex. liants, charges
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
An electrode includes one or more intermediate layers positioned between a substrate and an electrochemically active material. Intermediate layers may be made from chromium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, lithium, as well as other materials and their combinations. In certain embodiments, an active material includes one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. These materials tend to swell during cycling and may loose mechanical and/or electrical connection to the substrate. A flexible intermediate layer may compensate for swelling and provide a robust adhesion interface. Methods of fabricating electrodes involve forming metal silicide nanostructures.
Provided herein are nanostructures for lithium ion battery electrodes and methods of fabrication. In some embodiments, a nanostructure template coated with a silicon coating is provided. The silicon coating may include a non-conformal, more porous layer and a conformal, denser layer on the non-conformal, more porous layer. In some embodiments, two different deposition processes, e.g., a PECVD layer to deposit the non-conformal layer and a thermal CVD process to deposit the conformal layer, are used. Anodes including the nanostructures have longer cycle lifetimes than anodes made using either a PECVD or thermal CVD method alone.
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
17.
Electrode including nanostructures for rechargeable cells
A lithium ion battery electrode includes silicon nanowires used for insertion of lithium ions and including a conductivity enhancement, the nanowires growth-rooted to the conductive substrate.
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
Apparatuses and methods for depositing materials on both sides of a web while it passes a substantially vertical direction are provided. In particular embodiments, a web does not contact any hardware components during the deposition. A web may be supported before and after the deposition chamber but not inside the deposition chamber. At such support points, the web may be exposed to different conditions (e.g., temperature) than during the deposition. Also provided are substrates having materials deposited on both sides that may be fabricated by the methods and apparatuses.
C23C 16/04 - Revêtement de parties déterminées de la surface, p. ex. au moyen de masques
C23C 16/22 - Revêtement chimique par décomposition de composés gazeux, ne laissant pas de produits de réaction du matériau de la surface dans le revêtement, c.-à-d. procédés de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur [CVD] caractérisé par le dépôt de matériaux inorganiques, autres que des matériaux métalliques
Batteries having improved current collection are provided. In some implementations, an electrode structure of a battery may include an active material and two or more current collectors in electrical communication with the active material. In some implementations, an electrode structure of a battery may include two or more current collector layers. According to various implementations, the electrode structure may or may not include a current collector substrate. In some implementations, a battery anode includes a current collector substrate in electronic contact with nanostructured active material. In order to ensure that electronic communication between the active material and the current collector substrate is maintained throughout the life of the battery, a second electronically conductive path is provided in the form of a current collector layer over the nanostructured active material. The additional layer is thin and electronically conductive, and does not interfere adversely with battery operation.
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/136 - Électrodes à base de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFy
H01M 4/13 - Électrodes pour accumulateurs à électrolyte non aqueux, p. ex. pour accumulateurs au lithiumLeurs procédés de fabrication
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
20.
Template electrode structures with enhanced adhesion characteristics
Provided herein are novel template electrode materials and structures for lithium ion cells. Related methods are also provided. According to various embodiments, an electrode can include a nanostructured template, an electrochemically active material layer coating the template, and a first intermediate layer between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer. In one arrangement, the nanostructured template includes silicide nanowires. The electrochemically active material may be any of silicon, tin, germanium, carbon, metal hydrides, silicides, phosphides, and nitrides. The first intermediate layer may facilitate adhesion between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer, electronic conductivity within the electrode, and/or stress relaxation between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer.
Provided herein are nanostructure networks having high energy storage, electrochemically active electrode materials including nanostructure networks having high energy storage, as well as electrodes and batteries including the nanostructure networks having high energy storage. According to various implementations, the nanostructure networks have high energy density as well as long cycle life. In some implementations, the nanostructure networks include a conductive network embedded with electrochemically active material. In some implementations, silicon is used as the electrochemically active material. The conductive network may be a metal network such as a copper nanostructure network. Methods of manufacturing the nanostructure networks and electrodes are provided. In some implementations, metal nanostructures can be synthesized in a solution that contains silicon powder to make a composite network structure that contains both. The metal nanostructure growth can nucleate in solution and on silicon nanostructure surfaces.
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/48 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'oxydes ou d'hydroxydes inorganiques
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
H01M 4/62 - Emploi de substances spécifiées inactives comme ingrédients pour les masses actives, p. ex. liants, charges
Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions. Nanostructures can be interconnected during forming the nanoscale coating, when the coating formed around two nearby template structures overlap.
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
B82Y 30/00 - Nanotechnologie pour matériaux ou science des surfaces, p. ex. nanocomposites
B82Y 40/00 - Fabrication ou traitement des nanostructures
Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure. This allows integration of the composite structures into various types of battery electrodes and cycling high capacity active materials without damaging the electrodes' internal structures and deteriorating cycling characteristics of batteries.
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
H01M 10/52 - Enlèvement des gaz situés à l'intérieur de l'élément secondaire, p. ex. par absorption
Provided are novel electrolytes for use in rechargeable lithium ion cells containing high capacity active materials, such as silicon, germanium, tin, and/or aluminum. These novel electrolytes include one or more pyrocarbonates and, in certain embodiments, one or more fluorinated carbonates. For example, dimethyl pyrocarbonate (DMPC) may be combine with mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Alternatively, DMPC or other pyrocarbonates may be used without any fluorinated carbonates. A weight ratio of pyrocarbonates may be between about 0% and 50%, for example, about 10%. Pyrocarbonates may be combined with other solvents, such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and/or ethyl-methyl carbonate (EMC). Alternatively, pyrocarbonates may be used without such solvents. Experimental results conducted using electrochemical cells with silicon based electrodes demonstrated substantial improvements in cycle life when pyrocarbonate containing electrolytes were used in comparison with pyrocarbonate free electrolytes.
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
H01M 10/0568 - Matériaux liquides caracterisés par les solutés
27.
Silicon-embedded copper nanostructure network for high energy storage
Provided herein are nanostructure networks having high energy storage, electrochemically active electrode materials including nanostructure networks having high energy storage, as well as electrodes and batteries including the nanostructure networks having high energy storage. According to various implementations, the nanostructure networks have high energy density as well as long cycle life. In some implementations, the nanostructure networks include a conductive network embedded with electrochemically active material. In some implementations, silicon is used as the electrochemically active material. The conductive network may be a metal network such as a copper nanostructure network. Methods of manufacturing the nanostructure networks and electrodes are provided. In some implementations, metal nanostructures can be synthesized in a solution that contains silicon powder to make a composite network structure that contains both. The metal nanostructure growth can nucleate in solution and on silicon nanostructure surfaces.
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/136 - Électrodes à base de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFy
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
31.
Structurally controlled deposition of silicon onto nanowires
Provided herein are nanostructures for lithium ion battery electrodes and methods of fabrication. In some embodiments, a nanostructure template coated with a silicon coating is provided. The silicon coating may include a non-conformal, more porous layer and a conformal, denser layer on the non-conformal, more porous layer. In some embodiments, two different deposition processes, e.g., a PECVD layer to deposit the non-conformal layer and a thermal CVD process to deposit the conformal layer, are used. Anodes including the nanostructures have longer cycle lifetimes than anodes made using either a PECVD or thermal CVD method alone.
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
Provided are novel methods of fabricating electrochemical cells containing high capacity active materials that form multilayered solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structures on the active material surface during cell fabrication. Combining multiple different SEI layers on one surface can substantially improve cell performance by providing each layer with different properties. For example, an outer layer having a high electronic resistance may be combined with an inner layer having a high ionic permeability. To form such multilayered SEI structures, formation may involve changing electrolyte composition, functionalizing surfaces, and/or varying formation conditions. For example, formation may start with a boron containing electrolyte. This initial electrolyte is then replaced with an electrolyte that does not contain boron and instead may contain fluorine additives. In certain embodiments, cell's temperature is changed during formation to initiate different chemical reactions during SEI formation. Variations in multilayered SEI structures may be also achieved by varying current rates.
Apparatuses and methods for depositing materials on both side of a web while it passes a substantially vertical direction are provided. In particular embodiments, a web does not contact any hardware components during the deposition. A web may be supported before and after the deposition chamber but not inside the deposition chamber. At such support points, the web may be exposed to different conditions (e.g., temperature) than during the deposition.
C23C 16/00 - Revêtement chimique par décomposition de composés gazeux, ne laissant pas de produits de réaction du matériau de la surface dans le revêtement, c.-à-d. procédés de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur [CVD]
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
C23C 16/04 - Revêtement de parties déterminées de la surface, p. ex. au moyen de masques
C23C 16/22 - Revêtement chimique par décomposition de composés gazeux, ne laissant pas de produits de réaction du matériau de la surface dans le revêtement, c.-à-d. procédés de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur [CVD] caractérisé par le dépôt de matériaux inorganiques, autres que des matériaux métalliques
Provided are methods of preparing a lithium ion cell including forming the cell by charging the lithium ion cell to at least about 5% or, more specifically, to at least about 20% of the theoretical capacity of the negative electrode electrochemically active material, holding the lithium ion cell in a charged state for at least about 0.5 hours, and discharging the lithium ion cell. Holding the lithium ion cell in a partially charged state is believed to significantly improve its Coulombic efficiency during subsequent cycling.
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
36.
Interconnected hollow nanostructures containing high capacity active materials for use in rechargeable batteries
Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions. Nanostructures can be interconnected during forming the nanoscale coating, when the coating formed around two nearby template structures overlap.
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
H01M 4/13 - Électrodes pour accumulateurs à électrolyte non aqueux, p. ex. pour accumulateurs au lithiumLeurs procédés de fabrication
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
B05D 5/12 - Procédés pour appliquer des liquides ou d'autres matériaux fluides aux surfaces pour obtenir des effets, finis ou des structures de surface particuliers pour obtenir un revêtement ayant des propriétés électriques spécifiques
B82Y 30/00 - Nanotechnologie pour matériaux ou science des surfaces, p. ex. nanocomposites
38.
Electrode including nanostructures for rechargeable cells
A lithium ion battery electrode includes silicon nanowires used for insertion of lithium ions and including a conductivity enhancement, the nanowires growth-rooted to the conductive substrate.
H01M 4/02 - Électrodes composées d'un ou comprenant un matériau actif
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
Provided are novel electrolytes for use in rechargeable lithium ion cells containing high capacity active materials, such as silicon, germanium, tin, and/or aluminum. These novel electrolytes include one or more pyrocarbonates and, in certain embodiments, one or more fluorinated carbonates. For example, dimethyl pyrocarbonate (DMPC) may be combine with mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Alternatively, DMPC or other pyrocarbonates may be used without any fluorinated carbonates. A weight ratio of pyrocarbonates may be between about 0% and 50%, for example, about 10%. Pyrocarbonates may be combined with other solvents, such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and/or ethyl-methyl carbonate (EMC). Alternatively, pyrocarbonates may be used without such solvents. Experimental results conducted using electrochemical cells with silicon based electrodes demonstrated substantial improvements in cycle life when pyrocarbonate containing electrolytes were used in comparison with pyrocarbonate free electrolytes.
Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure. This allows integration of the composite structures into various types of battery electrodes and cycling high capacity active materials without damaging the electrodes' internal structures and deteriorating cycling characteristics of batteries.
Provided are battery electrode structures that maintain high mass loadings (i.e., large amounts per unit area) of high capacity active materials in the electrodes without deteriorating their cycling performance. These mass loading levels correspond to capacities per electrode unit area that are suitable for commercial electrodes even though the active materials are kept thin and generally below their fracture limits. A battery electrode structure may include multiple template layers. An initial template layer may include nanostructures attached to a substrate and have a controlled density. This initial layer may be formed using a controlled thickness source material layer provided, for example, on a substantially inert substrate. Additional one or more template layers are then formed over the initial layer resulting in a multilayer template structure with specific characteristics, such as a surface area, thickness, and porosity. The multilayer template structure is then coated with a high capacity active material.
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
42.
Multidimensional electrochemically active structures for battery electrodes
Provided are novel multidimensional electrode structures containing high capacity active materials for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells. These structures include main support structures and multiple nanowires attached to the support structures and extending into different directions away from these supports. The active material may be deposited as a layer (uniform or non-uniform) surrounding the nanowires and, in certain embodiments, the main supports and even substrate. The active material layer may be sufficiently thin to prevent pulverization of the layer at given operating conditions. Interconnections between the electrode structures and/or substrate may be provided by overlaps formed during deposition of the active layer. Silicide-based nano wires structures may be formed on the main supports in a fluidized bed reactor by suspending the metal-containing main supports in a silicon-containing process gas. A layer of silicon may be then deposited over these silicide nanowires.
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
B05D 5/12 - Procédés pour appliquer des liquides ou d'autres matériaux fluides aux surfaces pour obtenir des effets, finis ou des structures de surface particuliers pour obtenir un revêtement ayant des propriétés électriques spécifiques
H01M 4/38 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs d'éléments simples ou d'alliages
H01M 4/134 - Électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/1395 - Procédés de fabrication d’électrodes à base de métaux, de Si ou d'alliages
H01M 4/36 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs
H01M 4/62 - Emploi de substances spécifiées inactives comme ingrédients pour les masses actives, p. ex. liants, charges
H01M 4/587 - Matériau carboné, p. ex. composés au graphite d'intercalation ou CFx pour insérer ou intercaler des métaux légers
H01M 10/0525 - Batteries du type "rocking chair" ou "fauteuil à bascule", p. ex. batteries à insertion ou intercalation de lithium dans les deux électrodesBatteries à l'ion lithium
43.
Template electrode structures for depositing active materials
Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
H01M 4/13 - Électrodes pour accumulateurs à électrolyte non aqueux, p. ex. pour accumulateurs au lithiumLeurs procédés de fabrication
Provided are novel negative electrodes for use in lithium ion cells. The negative electrodes include one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium, and a lithium containing material prior to the first cycle of the cell. In other words, the cells are fabricated with some, but not all, lithium present on the negative electrode. This additional lithium may be used to mitigate lithium losses, for example, due to Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer formation, to maintain the negative electrode in a partially charged state at the end of the cell discharge cycle, and other reasons. In certain embodiments, a negative electrode includes between about 5% and 25% of lithium based on a theoretical capacity of the negative active material. In the same or other embodiments, a total amount of lithium available in the cell exceeds the theoretical capacity of the negative electrode active material.
H01M 4/13 - Électrodes pour accumulateurs à électrolyte non aqueux, p. ex. pour accumulateurs au lithiumLeurs procédés de fabrication
H01M 4/58 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de composés inorganiques autres que les oxydes ou les hydroxydes, p. ex. sulfures, séléniures, tellurures, halogénures ou LiCoFyEmploi de substances spécifiées comme matériaux actifs, masses actives, liquides actifs de structures polyanioniques, p. ex. phosphates, silicates ou borates
Provided are conductive substrates having open structures and fractional void volumes of at least about 25% or, more specifically, or at least about 50% for use in lithium ion batteries. Nanostructured active materials are deposited over such substrates to form battery electrodes. The fractional void volume may help to accommodate swelling of some active materials during cycling. In certain embodiments, overall outer dimensions of the electrode remain substantially the same during cycling, while internal open spaces of the conductive substrate provide space for any volumetric changes in the nanostructured active materials. In specific embodiments, a nanoscale layer of silicon is deposited over a metallic mesh to form a negative electrode. In another embodiment, a conductive substrate is a perforated sheet with multiple openings, such that a nanostructured active material is deposited into the openings but not on the external surfaces of the sheet.
Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions. Nanostructures can be interconnected during forming the nanoscale coating, when the coating formed around two nearby template structures overlap.