US 8,906,447 B2 · Method of producing hybrid nano-filament electrodes for lithium metal or lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of producing a hybrid nano-filament composition for use in a lithium battery electrode. The method comprises: (a) providing an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein the filaments comprise electro-spun nano-fibers that have a diameter less than 500 nm (preferably less than 100 nm); and (b) depositing micron- or nanometer-scaled coating onto a surface of the electro-spun nano-fibers, wherein the coating comprises an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and the coating has a thickness less than 10 μm (preferably less than 1 μm). The same method can be followed to produce an anode or a cathode. The battery featuring an anode or cathode made with this method exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of producing a hybrid nano-filament electrode for a lithium battery, said method comprising:

a) Providing an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein said filaments comprise electro-spun nano-fibers that have a diameter less than 500 nm;
b) Depositing micron- or nanometer-scaled coating onto a surface of said electro-spun nano-fibers, wherein said coating comprises a cathode active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and said coating has a thickness less than 10 μm;
and
c) Preparing a lithium battery cathode using the electro-spun nano-fibers having the coating on the surface thereof.

1 more element

A method of producing a hybrid nano-filament electrode for a lithium battery, said method comprising:

a) Providing an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein said filaments comprise electro-spun nano-fibers that have a diameter less than 500 nm;
b) Depositing micron- or nanometer-scaled coating onto a surface of said electro-spun nano-fibers, wherein said coating comprises an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and said coating has a thickness less than 10 μm;
and
c) Preparing a lithium battery electrode using the electro-spun nano-fibers having the coating on the surface thereof;
wherein the electro-active material comprises a non-Si anode active material, selected from the group consisting of:
(a) germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd);
(b) alloys or intermetallic compounds of Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, or Cd with other elements, wherein said alloys or compounds are stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric;
(c) oxides, carbides, nitrides, sulfides, phosphides, selenides, and tellurides of Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, or Cd, and their mixtures or composites;
and (d) combinations thereof.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of producing hybrid nano-filament electrodes for lithium metal or lithium ion batteries

Life of this patent

Method of producing hybrid nano-filament electrodes for lithium metal or lithium ion batteries

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20