Encapsulated sulfur cathode for lithium ion battery

US8663840B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Gholam-Abbas Nazri · Bloomfield Hills, US
• David J. Burton · Waynesville, US
• Maryam Nazri · Birmingham, US
• Patrick D. Lake · Beavercreek, US
• Andrew Palmer · Palm Desert, US
• Max L. Lake · Yellow Springs, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 12, 2011
• Grant date: Mar 4, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods of making a cathode element for an electrochemical cell. The methods comprise providing hollow carbon nanotubes and a sulfur source in a closed environment. Sulfur is deposited within an interior of the hollow carbon nanotube. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the carbon nanotubes and incorporating the carbon nanotubes into a cathode element. A cathodic material for a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is also provided. The material comprises a plurality of stacked-cone carbon nanotubes. Each nanotube defines a hollow interior and has a substantially continuous exterior surface area. Elemental sulfur is disposed within the hollow interior of each nanotube.