Rechargeable positive electrode
AssigneePolyPlus Battery Company
InventorMay-Ying Chu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are battery cells comprising a sulfur-based positive composite electrode. Preferably, said cells are secondary cells, and more preferably thin film secondary cells. In one aspect, the cells can be in a solid-state or gel-state format wherein either a solid-state or gel-state electrolyte separator is used. In another aspect of the invention, the cells are in a liquid format wherein the negative electrode comprises carbon, carbon inserted with lithium or sodium, or a mixture of carbon with lithium or sodium. The novel battery systems of this invention have a preferred operating temperature range of from -40.degree. C. to 145.degree. C. with demonstrated energies and powers far in excess of state-of-the-art high-temperature battery systems.
Claims37
A positive electrode comprising,
- a) active-sulfur;
- b) an electronically conductive material mixed with the sulfur so that electrons can move between the sulfur and the electronically conductive material;
- and
- c) an ionically conductive material mixed with the active-sulfur so that ions can move between the ionically conductive material and the sulfur, wherein at least about 10% of the active-sulfur is accessible to electrons and ionic charge carriers.
The positive electrode prepared by a process comprising:
- a) mixing active-sulfur, an electronically conductive material, and an ionically conducting material, in a solvent to form a mixture;
- b) agitating the mixture for about two clays or until it appears uniform;
- c) casting a film of the mixture onto a surface;
- and
- d) allowing the solvent to evaporate, wherein at least about 10% of the active-sulfur in the positive electrode is accessible to electrons and ionic charge carriers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.