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US 2019/0058193 A1Published application
Method for producing lithium-ion, sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries with increased safety
AssigneeRiver Road Research, Inc.
InventorsRadu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson, Vily M. Cimpoiasu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for producing lithiated pyomelanin (LPM), sodiated pyomelanin (SPM) and potassiated pyomelanin (PPM) is provided. A method is also provided for improving the safety of lithium-ion (Li-ion), sodium-ion (Na-ion) and potassium-ion (K-ion) batteries. The method employs using LPM, SPM or PPM in the negative compartment (anode) of the batteries. These LPM Li-ion, SPM Na-ion and PPM K-ion batteries have decreased tendencies to overheat and/or explode.
Claims12
A method for producing lithiated pyomelanin (LPM) comprising:
- dissolving melanin in an alkaline lithium solution or in a solution comprising a mixture comprising:
- LiOH;
- or
- NaOH/KOH and a Li salt,
- thereby producing an alkaline solution of lithium ions (Li+) comprising the melanin;
- reducing the alkaline lithium solution comprising the melanin using a reducing agent or using a cathode of an electrochemical cell at an electrical potential ≤0.8V;
- in a reducing environment and/or in an electrical potential ≤0.8V and under anaerobic conditions, titrating the alkaline lithium solution comprising the melanin to neutral pH;
- in the reducing environment and/or in the electrical potential ≤0.8V and under anaerobic conditions, dialyzing the mixture relative to dH2O, thereby producing a solution comprising LPM;
- under anaerobic conditions, freezing the solution comprising LPM;
- and
- lyophilizing the solution comprising LPM to remove water;
- thereby producing LPM.
9 more elements
A method for producing sodiated pyomelanin (SPM) comprising:
- dissolving melanin in an alkaline sodium solution or in a solution comprising a mixture comprising:
- NaOH;
- or
- KOH and a sodium salt,
- thereby producing an alkaline solution of sodium ions (Na+) comprising the melanin;
- reducing the alkaline sodium solution comprising the melanin using a reducing agent or using a cathode of an electrochemical cell at an electrical potential ≤0.8V;
- in a reducing environment and/or in an electrical potential ≤0.8V and under anaerobic conditions, titrating the alkaline sodium solution comprising the melanin to neutral pH;
- in the reducing environment and/or in the electrical potential ≤0.8V and under anaerobic conditions, dialyzing the mixture relative to dH2O, thereby producing a solution comprising SPM;
- under anaerobic conditions, freezing the solution comprising SPM;
- and
- lyophilizing the solution comprising SPM to remove water;
- thereby producing SPM.
9 more elements
A method for producing potassiated pyomelanin (PPM) comprising:
- dissolving melanin in an alkaline potassium solution or in a solution comprising a mixture comprising:
- KOH;
- or
- NaOH and a potassium salt,
- thereby producing an alkaline solution of potassium ions (K+) comprising the melanin;
- reducing the alkaline potassium solution comprising the melanin using a reducing agent or using a cathode of an electrochemical cell at an electrical potential ≤0.8V;
- in a reducing environment and/or in an electrical potential ≤0.8V and under anaerobic conditions, titrating the alkaline potassium solution comprising the melanin to neutral pH;
- in the reducing environment and/or in the electrical potential ≤0.8V and under anaerobic conditions, dialyzing the mixture relative to dH2O, thereby producing a solution comprising PPM;
- under anaerobic conditions, freezing the solution comprising PPM;
- and
- lyophilizing the solution comprising PPM to remove water;
- thereby producing PPM.
9 more elements
A method for producing a battery with increased safety, wherein the battery comprises an anode(−) compartment and a cathode(+) compartment, the method comprising:
- providing a battery anode mixture;
- providing lithiated pyomelanin (LPM), sodiated pyomelanin (SPM) and/or potassiated pyomelanin (PPM);
- providing a battery electrolyte, wherein the battery electrolyte is non-aqueous or a proton-releasing chemical;
- and
- adding the LPM, SPM and/or PPM to the battery anode mixture, thereby producing a battery anode mixture comprising the LPM, SPM and/or PPM, wherein the battery anode mixture comprising the LPM, SPM and/or PPM is in sufficiently low abundance so that when the battery is short-circuited or demand on the battery for electricity is large, heat released during discharge of the battery is less than a specific heat capacity of the battery, thereby:
- increasing safety of the battery by avoiding formation of metallic lithium (Lio), sodium (Nao) and/or potassium (Ko) in the battery,
- lowering risk of overheating of the battery and/or lowering risk of explosion of the battery, and
- producing a battery with increased safety.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.