Abstract:
Described herein are carbon-silicon composite structures and methods of producing such structures. A carbon-silicon composite structure comprises one or more carbon-containing structures that have pores at least partially filled with silicon-containing structures. Specifically, the silicon-containing structures are attached to the pore walls while maintaining void spaces within these pores. These void spaces can accommodate silicon expansion during lithiation. Carbon-silicon composite structures can be produced by submerging carbon-containing structures into a precursor liquid solution (comprising a precursor) and driving this solution into the pores. The silicon-containing structures are then formed (from the precursor) within the pores either electrochemically (e.g., by applying a voltage to the solution and structures) or chemically (e.g., by introducing the structures into a reducing liquid solution). In some examples, these void spaces are sealed from the environment by additional structures, e.g., separate silicon-containing structures and/or carbon structures.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, the present invention provides novel methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles for lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to anode materials derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles.
Abstract:
A method of modifying an electrode for an electrochemical cell in which the electrode is in contact with an electrolyte comprising one or more salts containing metal ions and halogen ions connecting the electrode in a circuit comprising the electrode, the electrolyte, and an opposite electrode; and applying a charging current to the circuit charging the circuit to a first voltage sufficient to drive halogen ions into the electrode to modify the atomic structure of the electrode. An electrochemical cell comprising a first electrode, an electrolyte comprising one or more salts containing metal ions and halogen ions; and a second electrode, the second electrode containing halogen ions when the electrochemical cell is in a charged state.
Abstract:
Process for the preparation of electrodes from a porous material making it possible to obtain electrodes that are useful in electrochemical systems and that have at least one of the following properties: a high capacity in mAh/gram, a high capacity in mAh/liter, a good capacity for cycling, a low rate of self-discharge, and a good environmental tolerance.
Abstract:
A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium-sulfur battery includes a core of a sulfur compound and a surface-passivation layer formed on the core. The surface-passivation layer is made of a coating-element-included compound selected from the group consisting of a coating-element-included hydroxide, a coating-element-included oxyhydroxide, a coating-element-included oxycarbonate, a coating-element-included hydroxycarbonate, a mixture thereof.
Abstract:
Disclosed are dioxolane-treated lithium electrodes, battery cells containing such dioxolane-treated lithium electrodes, battery cell electrolytes containing dioxolane, and methods of treating lithium electrodes with dioxolane and battery cells containing such dioxolane-treated lithium electrodes. Treating lithium with dioxolane prevents the lithium from reacting with a wide range of substances which can contaminate battery cells, particularly moisture and other protic impurities, that might otherwise react with the lithium to the detriment of its function as a negative electrode in a battery cell. Battery cells containing dioxolane as an electrolyte co-solvent in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved cycling performance over cells not containing dioxolane. Moreover, the dioxolane treatment does not negatively impact sulfur utilization and improves the lithium's electrochemical function as the negative electrode in the battery cell.
Abstract:
In the formation of a double oxide film of Li element and a metal element other than Li element, a metal body of the metal element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, V, Fe, Cr and Al is immersed in an alkaline solution containing Li ion to conduct a hydrothermal reaction between the metal body and Li ion, whereby a double oxide film is formed on the surface of the metal body.
Abstract:
Metal hydrides are activated by an electrochemical procedure. In this procedure, a bulk sample of the corresponding metal is immersed in an aqueous electrolyte and contacted by a cathode. Current passed through the aqueous electrolyte causes electrolysis of the water and a concomitant reaction with the formation of metal hydride. As a result, the metal hydride is fractured and smaller particles result. Additionally, the resulting metal hydride has a substantial amount of absorbed hydrogen. A novel plating method, taking advantage of the reducing power of hydrogen absorbed in a metal hydride, is useful to encapsulate such metal hydride with a variety of metals. Therefore, such hydrides are uniformly coated by using plating solutions without the standard reducing agent and stabilizer.
Abstract:
A BATTERY ELECTRODE IS COMPOSED OF A POUOUS FABRIC BASE, SUCH AS NON-WOVEN NYLON, ON WHICH THERE IS NONELECTROLYTICALLY PLATED A THIN COATING OF CONDUCTIVE METAL ONTO WHICH THERE IS ELECTROPLATED A RELATIVELY THICK COATING OF METAL, SUCH AS NICKEL, AND THE THUS PLATED BASE THEN HAS AN ACTIVE MATERIAL, SUCH AS NICKEL HYDROXIDE OR CADMIUM HYDROXIDE DEPOSITS IN ITS PORES. AN ELECTRODE TERMINAL MAY BE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE RESULTING ELECTRODE STRUCTURE OF TWO SUCH BASES MAY BE SANWICHED TOGETHER WITH A NICKEL MESH INTERPOSED THEREBETWEEN AND WITH THE ELECTODE TERMINAL ATTACHED TO THE MESH.