Abstract:
A self-standing, interconnected polymer-ceramic composite solid electrolyte is provided. The composite electrolyte includes a ceramic electrolyte scaffold defining a plurality of interconnected pores having a porosity of 45 to 55%. A crosslinked polymer electrolyte is disposed within the plurality of pores. A surface protection layer, including a linear polymer electrolyte is disposed on an exterior surface of the ceramic electrolyte scaffold. A method of manufacturing a composite electrolyte is also provided. The method includes combining a ceramic electrolyte, a binder, and a solvent to give a ceramic electrolyte slurry cast to give a ceramic electrolyte layer. The ceramic electrolyte layer is sintered to give a porous ceramic electrolyte scaffold defining a porosity of 45 to 55%. A polymer precursor solution is prepared and used to infiltrate the ceramic electrolyte and then cured.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a lithium-ion conducting garnet via low-temperature solid-state synthesis is disclosed. The lithium-ion conducting garnet comprises a substantially phase pure aluminum-doped cubic lithium lanthanum zirconate (Li7La3Zr2O14). The method includes preparing nanoparticles comprising lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7-np) via pyrolysis-mediated reaction of lanthanum nitrate (La(NO3)3) and zirconium nitrate (Zr(NO3)4). The method also includes pyrolyzing a solid-state mixture comprising the La2Zr2O7-np, lithium nitrate (LiNO3), and aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3) to give the Li7La3Zr2O14 and thereby prepare the lithium-ion conducting garnet. A lithium-ion conducting garnet prepared via the method is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator having a surface and percolating pores providing a porosity of from 20% to 80%. A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte includes an electrolyte and electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening enabling particles can be from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the total weight of the separator and shear thickening particles. Between 20-40 wt. % of the shear thickening enabling particles are located in the pores of the separator.
Abstract:
A method of making a passively impact resistant battery includes the steps of providing a porous separator material having pores and a surface, and providing a suspension composition including shear thickening enabling particles and a particle suspension solvent for suspending the shear thickening enabling particles. The shear thickening particles have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size of in a range of 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The suspension composition is applied to the separator material, wherein a portion of the particles and suspension solvent penetrate the pores. The suspension solvent is evaporated from the separator material. An anode layer and a cathode layer are applied. An electrolyte composition is applied between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte solvent and an electrolyte salt.
Abstract:
A method for producing metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, the method comprising: (i) producing hydrogen chalcogenide-containing vapor from a microbial source, wherein said microbial source comprises: (a) chalcogen-reducing microbes capable of producing hydrogen chalcogenide vapor from a chalcogen-containing source; (b) a culture medium suitable for sustaining said chalcogen-reducing microbes; (c) at least one chalcogen-containing compound that can be converted to hydrogen chalcogenide vapor by said chalcogen-reducing microbes; and (d) at least one nutritive compound that provides donatable electrons to said chalcogen-reducing microbes during consumption of the nutritive compound by said chalcogen-reducing microbes; and (ii) directing said hydrogen chalcogenide-containing vapor into a metal-containing solution comprising a metal salt dissolved in a solvent to produce metal chalcogenide nanoparticles in said solution, wherein said chalcogen is sulfur or selenium, and said chalcogenide is sulfide or selenide, respectively. The invention is also directed to metal chalcogenide nanoparticle compositions produced as above and having distinctive properties.
Abstract:
A method of making a battery electrode includes the steps of dispersing an active electrode material and a conductive additive in water with at least one dispersant to create a mixed dispersion; treating a surface of a current collector to raise the surface energy of the surface to at least the surface tension of the mixed dispersion; depositing the dispersed active electrode material and conductive additive on a current collector; and heating the coated surface to remove water from the coating.
Abstract:
A method of drying casted slurries that includes calculating drying conditions from an experimental model for a cast slurry and forming a cast film. An infrared heating probe is positioned on one side of the casted slurry and a thermal probe is positioned on an opposing side of the casted slurry. The infrared heating probe may control the temperature of the casted slurry during drying. The casted slurry may be observed with an optical microscope, while applying the drying conditions from the experimental model. Observing the casted slurry includes detecting the incidence of micro-structural changes in the casted slurry during drying to determine if the drying conditions from the experimental model are optimal.
Abstract:
A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator having a surface and percolating pores providing a porosity of from 20% to 80%. A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte includes an electrolyte and electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 μm, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening enabling particles can be from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the total weight of the separator and shear thickening particles. Between 20-40 wt. % of the shear thickening enabling particles are located in the pores of the separator.
Abstract:
A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator having a surface and percolating pores providing a porosity of from 20% to 80%. A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte includes an electrolyte and electrically non-conducting particles that enable shear thickening. The particles can have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size in a range of from 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The shear thickening enabling particles can be from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % of the total weight of the separator and shear thickening particles. Between 20-40 wt. % of the shear thickening enabling particles are located in the pores of the separator.
Abstract:
A method of making a passively impact resistant battery includes the steps of providing a porous separator material having pores and a surface, and providing a suspension composition including shear thickening enabling particles and a particle suspension solvent for suspending the shear thickening enabling particles. The shear thickening particles have a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size of in a range of 50 nm to 1 um, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than ±40 mV. The suspension composition is applied to the separator material, wherein a portion of the particles and suspension solvent penetrate the pores. The suspension solvent is evaporated from the separator material. An anode layer and a cathode layer are applied. An electrolyte composition is applied between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte solvent and an electrolyte salt.