Anodic Dendritic Growth Suppression System for Secondary Lithium Batteries
AssigneeMidwest Research Institute
InventorsSe-Hee Lee, Edwin C. Tracy, John Roland Pitts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided herein are methods for manufacturing lithium-metal anode [18] assemblies for thin-film, thick-film and hulk secondary batteries that use liquid or gel-type electrolytes [14], and lithium-metal anode [18] assemblies for thick-film and bulk secondary batteries that use solid electrolytes [18]. These methods involve electrolytic formation of a lithium metal anode [18] between a protecting lithium-stable, solid electrolyte [18] material and an eieethcaiiy-Gonductive substance [20]. Secondary lithium_ batteries made by these methods aw also provided.
Claims24
An anode assembly designed in use to be a component of a secondary lithium battery, said anode assembly comprising:
- a. an electronically-conductive substrate;
- b. a lithium metal anode in contact with said substrate;
- and
- c. an electronically-insulating, lithium ion-conducting, lithium-stable, solid electrolyte covering said lithium metal anode.
A method of making an anode assembly for a lithium-metal secondary battery, said method comprising:
- a. providing an electronically-conductive substrate;
- b. at least partially covering said substrate with an electronically-insulating, lithium ion-conducting, lithium-stable, solid electrolyte material;
- c. providing a lithium-containing cathode material;
- d. providing an electrolyte bath sized to receive said cathode material and said substrate that is at least partially covered with said solid electrolyte material;
- e. placing said cathode and said substrate that is at least partially covered with said solid electrolyte material into said electrolyte bath;
- and
- f. flowing an electrical current between said substrate and said cathode, whereby a lithium metal anode is deposited on said substrate through said solid electrolyte material.
A method of providing an electric current to a device comprising:
- a. placing in operative electrical connection with said device, a secondary lithium battery comprising:
- i. a lithium metal anode;
- ii. a liquid or gel-type electrolyte;
- and
- iii. a lithium-stable, electrically insulating, lithium-ion-conducting solid electrolyte material covering said lithium metal anode so as to prevent contact between said anode and said liquid or gel-type electrolyte;
- and
- b. activating said battery to provide an electrical current to said device.
A method of providing an electric current to a device comprising:
- a. placing in operative electrical connection with said device, a thick-film or bulk secondary lithium battery comprising:
- i. a lithium metal anode;
- ii. an electrically-insulating, lithium-ion-conducting, lithium-stable, solid first electrolyte covering said lithium metal anode;
- and
- iii. a solid-state second electrolyte in contact with said lithium-stable solid first electrolyte;
- wherein said first electrolyte prevents direct contact between said anode and said liquid second electrolyte;
- and
- b. activating said battery to provide an electrical current to said device.
A method of recharging a lithium battery comprising flowing an electric current into an anode of a secondary lithium battery that comprises:
- a. a lithium metal anode;
- b. a liquid or gel-type electrolyte;
- and
- c. a lithium-stable, electrically insulating, lithium-ion-conducting solid electrolyte layer situated between said anode and said liquid or gel-type electrolyte so as to prevent contact therebetween;
- whereby dendrite formation on said lithium metal anode is prevented.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.