Abstract:
A composite electrode comprising an active component directly bonded to a current collector. The direct bonding providing a low resistance contact between the current collector and the active material. The active component can be provided as fibres of silicon, said fibres being free or attached to a support.
Abstract:
A method of etching silicon, the method comprising the steps of: electrolessly depositing a first metal onto a silicon surface to be etched, wherein the electrolessly deposited first metal partially covers the surface of the silicon to be etched; depositing a second metal that is different from the first metal over the silicon surface and the electrolessly deposited first metal, wherein a film of the deposited second metal covers the silicon surface to be etched; removing the first metal and the second metal from regions of the film of the deposited second metal that overlie the first metal to leave the second metal partially covering the silicon surface to be etched; and etching the silicon by exposing the silicon surface to an aqueous etching composition comprising an oxidant and a source of fluoride ions.
Abstract:
A pre-charged material comprising silicon-comprising fibres characterised in that two or more of the fibres are bonded together to create both a bonded felt anode structure with or without a current collector and a composite anode structure with a current collector and an electrode structure. The structure overcomes problems associated with charge/discharge capacity loss.
Abstract:
Pillared particles of silicon or silicon-comprising material and a method of fabricating the same. These particles may be used to create both a composite anode structure with a polymer binder, a conductive additive and a metal foil current collector, and an electrode structure. The structure of the particles overcoming the problems of charge/discharge capacity loss.
Abstract:
A pre-charged material comprising silicon-comprising fibres characterised in that two or more of the fibres are bonded together to create both a bonded felt anode structure with or without a current collector and a composite anode structure with a current collector and an electrode structure. The structure overcomes problems associated with charge/discharge capacity loss.
Abstract:
A composition comprising a plurality of elongate elements and a plurality of particles is provided for use in a lithium ion battery. The elongate elements and particles each comprising a metal or semi-metal selected from one or more of the group comprising silicon, tin, germanium and aluminium or mixtures thereof. The composition may include additional ingredients such as a binder, a conductive material and a further electro-active material, such as graphite. The compositions can be used for the fabrication of electrodes, preferably anodes in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries and optionally batteries based on magnesium ions or sodium ions. The silicon comprising composition is able to intercalate and release lithium during the charging and discharging cycles respectively of a battery into which it has been incorporated. Methods of fabricating the composition of the first aspect of the invention and electrodes including the composition are included as well as electrodes thus prepared and devices including such electrodes.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for treating silicon to form pillars, especially for use as the active anode material in Li-ion batteries. The process is simple to operate on a commercial scale since it uses a solution containing only a small number of ingredients whose concentration needs to be controlled and it can be cheaper to operate than previous processes. The solution comprises: 0.01 to 5M HF 0.002 to 0.2M of metal ions capable of nucleating on and foirning a porous layer comprising regions of elemental metal on the silicon surface; 0.001 to 0.7M of an oxidant selected from the group O 2 , 0 3 , H 2 O 2 , the acid, ammonium or alkali metal salt of NO 3 - , S 2 O 8 2- , NO 2 - , B 4 O 7 2- and C1O 4 - or a mixture thereof.. The treated silicon is suitably removed from the solution.