Abstract:
Electrodes incorporate an electrically activated matrix into which active material is provided. The active material includes alloying particles, which, as used herein, are active catalyst particles that have a high lithium storage capacity resulting in large volume expansions during lithiation. The electrically activated matrix is activated during charging and discharging of the battery, and when activated, maintains the electrode structure and stability by expanding and contracting with the volume expansion and contraction of the alloying particles during lithiation and delithiation, respectively. The electrically activated matrix also reduces cracking and pulverization of the alloying particles, maintaining electrical conductivity between active materials, thereby maintaining battery energy density through the life of the battery.
Abstract:
An active material layer for an electrode of a lithium ion battery has a first active material comprising silicon-based particles, a second active material comprising graphite and conduits between the first active material and the second active material, the conduits being a conductive material and providing area for expansion of the first active material due to lithiation while maintaining contact between the first active material and the second active material.
Abstract:
Electrodes having at least one current correcting layer between the current collector and the separator drive electron flow in a direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. Such an electrode includes a current collector, a first active material layer coated on the current collector, a first current correcting layer on the first active material layer opposite the current collector and a second active material layer on the first current correcting layer opposite the first active material layer. The first current correcting layer is a highly conductive, porous material that is not electrochemically active, the first current correcting layer being uniformly formed along an X-Y plane of the electrode.
Abstract:
A method of making an electrode for a lithium ion battery includes providing a restricting media having a main body with opposing planar surfaces and depositing alloying particles on the opposing planar surfaces to form a restrained active particle layer. The restricting media can be a magnetic, electrochemically inactive material with an affinity for the alloying particles. The restricting media restrains expansion of the alloying particles during lithiation to a respective side of the restricting media. Electrodes include a current collector and an electrode material layer adjacent the current collector including the restricting media, the alloying particles deposited on the restricting media to form a restrained active particle layer, and a carbon material in contact with the alloying particles
Abstract:
An electrode comprises a current collector and a multi-layer active material formed on the current collector. The multi-layer active material includes at least one active composite unit having a first layer consisting essentially of a first carbon material having electrochemical activity and a binder and a second layer formed on the first layer comprising a high energy density material. A top layer is formed on the active composite unit consisting essentially of a second carbon material having electrochemical activity and a binder. The electrode provides even current distribution and compensates for particle volume expansion.
Abstract:
Electrodes having three dimensional current collectors provide stability to the electrode structure, improved contact between active material and the current collector, and improved charge transfer. An electrode includes a three dimensional current collector including a substantially planar base and spring-like structures extending from the substantially planar base in spaced relation along the substantially planar base. Each spring-like structure has an attachment end attached to the substantially planar base and a free distal end. Active material is layered on the three dimensional current collector, the active material filled between the spring-like structures. The active material comprises alloying particles having a high specific capacity, wherein the spring-like structures deflect as the alloying particles expand in volume due to lithiation and return to an initial position as the alloying particles contract due to delithiation.
Abstract:
A method of making a three dimensional electrode having an active material layered between a current collector and a separator includes growing nanotubes at predetermined points on a first sheet of electron directing material, wherein the electron directing material is highly conductive and chemically inert; aligning the nanotubes in a direction perpendicular to the first sheet; functionalizing a distal end of each nanotube; bonding a second sheet of electron directing material to the functionalized distal end of each nanotube; depositing magnetic particles along the second sheet; applying a magnetic field to the magnetic particles to rotate the first sheet, the second sheet and the nanotubes ninety degrees to form an electron directing structure; and attaching the electron directing structure on a surface of the current collector with a polymer binder. The electron directing structure is configured to direct electron flow along a layered direction of the three dimensional electrode.
Abstract:
A battery has a three dimensional electrode including a current collector, electron directing members, each electron directing member having a perimeter edge attached to a surface of the current collector with a polymer binder, the electron directing members extending from the surface of the current collector and configured to direct electron flow along a layered direction of the electrode, an active material layer on the current collector and a separator. The electron directing members extend into the active material layer and having a free end in spaced relation to the separator.
Abstract:
Electrodes made with a matrix selectively loaded with particular active particles provide uniform distribution and reduce issues due to particle expansion. The electrode has a current collector, a separator and a matrix having first pores having a first size and second pores having a second size, the first size being larger than the second size, the second pores being uniformly distributed throughout the matrix; first active particles deposited in the first pores, the first active particles having a first particle size smaller than the first pores and larger than the second pores; and second active particles deposited in the second pores, the second active particles having a second particle size smaller than the second pores.
Abstract:
An electrode comprises a current collector, a conductive buffer layer formed on the current collector consisting essentially of carbon and a binder, and an active material layer formed on the buffer layer. Another conductive buffer layer can be formed on an opposing side of the current collector, with the active material formed on this other buffer layer. The active material layer can be either an anode active material layer or a cathode active material layer.