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US 9,287,573 B2Granted
Lithium battery cell with protective membrane having a garnet like structure
AssigneePolyPlus Battery Company
InventorsSteven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements.
Claims24
An electrochemical device comprising:
- a first electrode comprising a lithium anode;
- a protective membrane architecture comprising a lithium ion conducting oxide having a garnet like structure;
- and
- a second electrode in ionic communication with the first electrode via the protective membrane architecture.
1 more element
A battery cell, comprising:
- a protected anode, comprising,
- a lithium anode having a first surface and a second surface,
- a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode,
- a cathode compartment comprising a cathode for reducing molecular oxygen and an aqueous catholyte comprising water, an active first substance material comprising an active first salt dissolved therein, and a second non-active lithium salt different than the active first salt, wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 50%;
- and,
- wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment.
3 more elements
A battery cell, comprising:
- a protected anode, comprising,
- a lithium anode having a first surface and a second surface,
- a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode,
- a cathode compartment, prior to initial discharge, comprising:
- a cathode for reducing molecular oxygen;
- an aqueous catholyte;
- a solid phase active substance material, water soluble and in contact with the aqueous catholyte;
- and
- a reservoir disposed between the cathode and the protected anode, the reservoir comprising a porous solid structure chemically compatible with the catholyte and chemically and electrochemically compatible with the cathode, at least a portion of the surface or the pore structure of the solid porous reservoir structure substantially covered or containing and/or in contact with the solid phase active substance material;
- wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 50%;
- and
- wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment.
9 more elements
A battery cell, comprising:
- a protected anode, comprising,
- a lithium metal anode having a first surface and a second surface,
- a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode,
- a cathode compartment comprising a cathode for reducing molecular oxygen, an aqueous catholyte, and a porous inorganic solid reservoir structure disposed between the protected anode and the cathode, wherein a portion of the porous inorganic solid is electronically conductive;
- wherein sufficient catholyte is present in the reservoir pores to maintain sufficient ionic communication between the cathode and the anode;
- wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 50%;
- and
- wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment.
5 more elements
A battery cell, comprising:
- a protected anode, comprising,
- a lithium metal anode having a first surface and a second surface,
- a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode,
- a cathode compartment comprising a cathode for reducing molecular oxygen, an active aqueous catholyte, and a solid porous reservoir structure;
- wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 50%;
- and,
- wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment;
- and
- wherein one or more of the cathode and the solid porous reservoir structure is configured to expand during cell discharge.
6 more elements
A battery cell, comprising:
- a protected anode, comprising,
- a lithium metal anode having a first surface and a second surface,
- a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode,
- a cathode compartment comprising a cathode for reducing molecular oxygen, an aqueous catholyte, and a hydrogel reservoir structure;
- wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 50%;
- and,
- wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.