Electrochemical cells comprising porous structures comprising sulfur
AssigneeSion Power Corporation
InventorsChristopher T. S. Campbell, Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of porous structures comprising sulfur in electrochemical cells. Such materials may be useful, for example, in forming one or more electrodes in an electrochemical cell. For example, the systems and methods described herein may comprise the use of an electrode comprising a conductive porous support structure and a plurality of particles comprising sulfur (e.g., as an active species) substantially contained within the pores of the support structure.
Claims75
An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a porous support structure formed by assembling a plurality of particles in contact with each other, the porous support structure comprising a plurality of pores;
- and
- an electrode active material comprising sulfur substantially contained within the pores of the porous support structure, wherein:
- each particle of the plurality of particles has a maximum cross-sectional dimension;
- at least about 50% of the particles have maximum cross-sectional dimensions of between about 0.5 microns and about 20 microns;
- each pore of the plurality of pores has a pore volume, and the plurality of pores has a total pore volume defined by the sum of each of the individual pore volumes;
- at least about 50% of the total pore volume is occupied by pores having cross-sectional diameters of between about 0.1 microns and about 10 microns;
- and
- the porosity of the electrode is at least about 30%.
An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a porous support structure formed by assembling a plurality of particles in contact with each other, the porous support structure comprising a plurality of pores;
- and
- an electrode active material comprising sulfur substantially contained within the pores of the porous support structure, wherein
- each particle of the plurality of particles has a maximum cross-sectional dimension;
- at least about 50% of the particles have maximum cross-sectional dimensions of between about 0.5 microns and about 20 microns;
- the plurality of pores of the porous support structure together defines a total pore volume, and at least about 50% of the total pore volume is defined by pores having cross-sectional diameters of between about 0.1 microns and about 10 microns;
- and
- the porosity of the electrode is at least about 30%.
A method of making an electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:
- providing a plurality of particles, wherein each particle each particle of the plurality of particles has a maximum cross-sectional dimension, and at least about 50% of the particles have maximum cross-sectional dimensions of between about 0.5 microns and about 20 microns;
- forming a porous support structure using the particles, wherein:
- the agglomerated structure comprises a plurality of pores,
- each pore of the plurality of pores has a pore volume,
- the plurality of pores has a total pore volume defined by the sum of each of the individual pore volumes, and
- at least about 50% of the total pore volume is occupied by pores having cross-sectional diameters of between about 0.1 microns and about 10 microns;
- and
- providing an electrode active material comprising sulfur substantially within the pores of the porous support structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.