Separators for electrochemical cells
AssigneeMoltech Corporation
InventorsSteven A. Carlson, Qicong Ying, Zhongyi Deng, Terje A. Skotheim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
Claims103
A separator for use in an electric cunent producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, wherein said separator comprises a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder;
- wherein said binder is an inorganic binder.
A separator for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, wherein said separator comprises a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder;
- wherein pores of said microporous layer are impregnated with a composition comprising a polymer;
- and
- wherein said polymer is ionically conductive.
An electrolyte element for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, wherein said electrolyte element comprises:
- (a) a separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-bochmite and a binder;
- and
- (b) an organic electrolyte contained within pores of said microporous layer.
A method of making a separator for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, said separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising a boehmite sol, a binder, and a liquid medium;
- and
- (b) drying the coating formed in step (a) to yield said microporous layer;
- wherein said binder is an inorganic binder.
A method of making a separator for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, said separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising a boehmite sol, a binder, and a liquid medium;
- and
- (b) drying the coating formed in step (a) to yield said microporous layer;
- wherein pores of said microporous layer are impregnated with a composition comprising a polymer;
- and
- wherein said polymer is ionically conductive.
A method of making a separator for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, said separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising a boehmite sol, a binder, and a liquid medium;
- and
- (b) drying the coating formed in step (a) to yicld said microporous layer;
- wherein at least one outermost surface of said substrate comprises a cathode layer and said liquid mixture is coated onto said cathode layer.
A method of making a separator for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, said separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising a boehmite sol, a binder, and a liquid medium;
- (b) drying the coating formed in step (a) to yield said microporous layer;
- and
- (c) delaminating said microporous layer from said substrate;
- wherein at least one outermost surface of said substrate comprises a release layer and said liquid mixture is coated onto said release layer.
A method of making a separator for use in an electric current producing cell for separating an anode and a cathode, said separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising a boehmite sol, a binder, and a liquid medium;
- and
- (b) drying the coating formed in step (a) to yield said microporous layer;
- (c) contacting a surface of said microporous layer with a coating solution comprising a solid material and a liquid medium;
- and
- (d) drying the coating formed in step (c) to yield a coating layer comprising said solid material;
- wherein at least one outermost surface of said substrate comprises a release layer and said liquid mixture is coated onto said release layer.
A method of making an electrolyte element for an electric current producing cell, said electrolyte element comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising a boehmite sol, a binder, and a liquid medium;
- (b) drying the coating formed in step (a) to yield said microporous layer;
- and,
- (c) contacting a surface of said microporous layer with an organic electrolyte, thereby causing infusion of said electrolyte into pores of said microporous layer.
An electric current producing cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte element interposed between said cathode and said anode, wherein said electrolyte element comprises:
- (a) a separator comprising a microporous layer, which microporous layer comprises pseudo-boehmite and a binder;
- and,
- (b) an organic electrolyte contained within pores of said microporous layer.
A method of forming an electric current producing cell, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an anode;
- (b) providing a cathode;
- and
- (c) interposing an electrolyte element between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte element comprises:
- (i) a separator comprising a microporous layer comprising pseudo-boehmite and a binder;
- and
- (ii) an organic electrolyte contained within pores of said microporous layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.