Electroactive polymer coating for improved battery safety
AssigneePhysical Sciences, Inc.
InventorChristopher M. Lang
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Abstract
A single or multi-component polymer coating is applied to components used in fabrication of electrochemical cells to protect the cells from damages that can result in cell imbalance or cell performance reduction. The polymer coating is electrically conductive under normal operating conditions but, when operated at low voltages, functions as an insulative material that increases the electrical resistance of the cell components. This increased electrical resistance improves cell safety by minimizing short-circuit current flow and reducing heating rate in the cell components.
Claims19
A method of protecting an electrochemical cell from damage, the method comprising:
- producing a cathode electrode by:
- adding to electrochemically active particles of the cathode electrode an additive which is insulating below a predetermined switching voltage and conductive above the predetermined switching voltage,
- mixing the additive and electrochemically active particles in a slurry with a binder, and
- solidifying the slurry on a current collector to form a cathode;
- including the cathode in a cell;
- operating the cell below the switching predetermined voltage and transitioning the cathode electrochemically active particles additive to an insulating state to limit current through the cathode electrode preventing cell damage;
- and
- operating the cell above the predetermined switching voltage transitioning the cathode electrochemically active particles additive to a conductive state for electrical conductivity in the cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.