Electrolyte activatable lithium-ion rechargeable battery cell
AssigneeBell Communications Research, Inc.
InventorsAntoni S. Gozdz, Jean-Marie Tarascon, Paul C. Warren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Li-ion rechargeable battery cell electrode and electrolyte/separator elements formulated as layers of plasticized polymeric matrix compositions are laminated to form a unitary battery cell structure. The structure may be stored indefinitely, since it is essentially devoid of electrolyte solution which typically comprises a moisture-sensitive lithium salt. Prior to the battery's being put into service, the plasticizer of the polymeric composition is removed by leaching with a selective solvent and is replaced with a lithium salt electrolyte solution by simple imbibition. The battery thus activated may then be charged and recharged in the usual manner.
Claims32
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element, and a separator element disposed therebetween characterized in that
- a) each of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition substantially devoid of electrolytic salt;
- b) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure;
- and
- c) said separator element film is substantially devoid of pores and comprises a composition initially comprising a polymeric material and 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible plasticizer therefor and from which composition at least a portion of said plasticizer has been removed, said separator element thereby being in a preconditioned state conducive to absorption of electrolytic solution.
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element, and a separator element disposed therebetween characterized in that
- a) each of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition;
- b) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure;
- and
- c) said separator element composition comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with 8 to 25% by weight hexafluoropropylene and has homogeneously distributed therein 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible organic plasticizer for said copolymer.
A rechargeable battery structure comprising, in sequence, a positive current collector element, a positive electrode element, a separator element, a negative electrode element, and a negative current collector element characterized in that
- a) each of said collector elements comprises a flexible electrically-conductive foil,
- b) each of the others of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition substantially devoid of electrolytic salt;
- c) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure;
- and
- d) said separator element film is substantially devoid of pores and comprises a composition initially comprising a polymeric material and 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible plasticizer therefor and from which composition at least a portion of said plasticizer has been removed, said separator element thereby being in a preconditioned state conducive to absorption of electrolytic solution.
A rechargeable battery structure comprising, in sequence, a positive current collector element, a positive electrode element, a separator element, a negative electrode element, and a negative current collector element characterized in that
- a) each of said collector elements comprises a flexible electrically-conductive foil,
- b) each of the others of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition;
- c) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure;
- and
- d) said separator element composition comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with 8 to 25% by weight hexafluoropropylene and has homogeneously distributed therein 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible organic plasticizer for said copolymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.