# US 12,191,524 B2 · Dendrite growth prevention in a rechargeable battery

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- Number: US 12,191,524 B2
- Document ID: US12191524B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/299,321
- Filed: 2019-12-03
- Published: 2022-01-27
- Granted: 2025-01-07
- Earliest claimed: 2018-12-05
- Assignees: Phinergy Ltd.
- Applicants: Phinergy Ltd.
- Inventors: Aviel Danino; Ilya Yakupov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12191524B2

## CPC

- H01M 50/497: Ionic conductivity
- H01M 4/244: {Zinc electrodes}
- H01M 10/26: Selection of materials as electrolytes
- H01M 10/28: Construction or manufacture
- H01M 50/409: Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by the material
- H01M 50/429: Natural polymers
- H01M 50/4295: {Natural cotton, cellulose or wood}
- H01M 50/44: Fibrous material
- H01M 50/46: Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their combination with electrodes
- H01M 2300/0014: Alkaline electrolytes
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

Rechargeable batteries and corresponding methods are provided, in which zinc dendrite growth to a compartment between a zinc-based anode and a separator of a rechargeable battery is limited, by preventing zincate anions from diffusing outside of the compartment. Separators limiting dendrite growth may comprise ion-selective membrane(s) configured to be permeable to charge transfer cations of the alkaline electrolyte and impermeable to hydrated zincate anions. The membrane(s) may be reinforced and/or support internal compartment(s) with electrolyte lacking zincate ions. More generally, separators are provided, which are permeable to charge transfer ions but impermeable to metal ions, and limit the latter to the anode compartment in which the metal ions may be deposited in a manner that does not form dendrites which can compromise the structural and functional integrity of the battery cell.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rechargeable battery comprising a zinc-based anode, a cathode, an alkaline electrolyte and a separator separating the zinc-based anode from the cathode,
wherein the separator comprises a cation-exchange membrane configured to be permeable to charge transfer cations of the alkaline electrolyte and impermeable to hydrated zincate anions,
wherein the separator is configured to support an internal compartment with electrolyte that is devoid of zincate anions and is in fluid communication with an external source of electrolyte, and
wherein the separator is further configured to prevent zinc dendrite growth into the internal compartment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the cation-exchange membrane is a thin-film composite membrane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the separator is mechanically reinforced.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The rechargeable battery of claim 3, wherein the separator is reinforced with fibrous polymer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The rechargeable battery of claim 3, wherein the separator comprises a layer of fibrous polymer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The rechargeable battery of claim 3, wherein the separator comprises a mechanical support.

### Claim 7

A method of preventing zinc dendrite growth in a rechargeable battery, the method comprising;
separating a zinc-based anode from a cathode of the battery by a separator that comprises a cation exchange membrane configured to be permeable to charge transfer cations of an alkaline electrolyte of the rechargeable battery, and impermeable to hydrated zincate anions, and
providing an internal compartment supported by the separator in said rechargeable battery, which is devoid of zincate ions, wherein the cation exchange membrane is configured to prevent zincate anions from diffusing into said internal compartment,
wherein the internal compartment is in fluid communication with an external source of electrolyte.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the cation exchange membrane comprises a thin-film composite membrane.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising mechanically reinforcing the separator using at least one of: fibrous polymer, a layer of fibrous polymer and a mechanical support.

### Claim 10

A rechargeable battery comprising at least one zinc based anode, at least one cathode, alkaline electrolyte and at least one separator separating the at least one anode from the at least one cathode, wherein the separator comprises a cation-exchange membrane configured to be permeable to charge transfer cations of the alkaline electrolyte,
wherein the separator is configured to support an internal compartment with electrolyte that is devoid of zincate anions and is in fluid communication with an external source of electrolyte, and
wherein the separator is further configured to prevent zinc dendrite growth into the internal compartment.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The rechargeable battery of claim 10, wherein the cation-exchange membrane comprises a thin-film composite membrane.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The rechargeable battery of claim 10, wherein the separator is mechanically reinforced with at least one of: fibrous polymer, a layer of fibrous polymer and a mechanical support.