Carbon aerogel-based cathodes for lithium-air batteries
AssigneeAspen Aerogels, Inc.
InventorsNicholas A. Zafiropoulos, George L. Gould
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Abstract
Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.
Claims17
A nanoporous carbon cathode comprising:
- a carbonized aerogel material having:
- a pore structure comprising a fibrillar morphology with a substantially uniform pore size distribution, where pores accommodate formation of lithium peroxide particles;
- a Young's modulus of at least about 0.2 GPa;
- and
- a density between about 0.10 g/cc and about 1.5 g/cc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.