High Capacity Electrodes
OwnerRonald Anthony Rojeskiinventor
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Abstract
A high capacity electrode includes a conducting substrate on which a plurality of support filaments are disposed. Each of the support filaments have a length substantially greater than their width and may include, for example, a carbon nano-tube (CNT), a carbon nano-fiber (CNF), and/or a nano-wire (NW). The support filaments are coated with a material, such as silicon, having a greater ion absorbing capacity greater than the neat support filaments. A trunk region of the support filaments proximate to the substrate is optionally kept free of ion absorbing material. This trunk region allows for the expansion of the ion absorbing material without detaching the support filaments form the substrate.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- an electrode disposed in a first region of electrolyte and including
- a substrate,
- a plurality of support filaments attached to the substrate, and
- an ion absorbing material attached to the support filaments and configured to expand in volume at least 5 percent when absorbing ions;
- a separator configured to separate the first region and a second region of electrolyte;
- and
- a cathode disposed in the second region of electrolyte, the cathode, anode and separator configured to operate as a rechargeable battery.
An electrode comprising:
- a conductive substrate;
- a plurality of support filaments attached to the substrate, the support filaments comprising a carbon nano-tube (CNT), a carbon nano-fiber (CNF), or a nano-wire (NW), and
- an ion absorbing material attached to some but not all of each of the support filaments and configured to expand in volume by at least five time when absorbing ions.
A method comprising:
- receiving a conductive substrate;
- forming a plurality of support filaments coupled to the conductive substrate, the support filaments having an aspect ratio (length/width) of at least 10:1;
- and
- coating the plurality of support filaments with an ion absorbing material to create an electrode, the ion absorbing material having at least a ten times greater ion absorbing capacity for ions than the support filaments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.