Composite structures containing high capacity porous active materials constrained in shells
US9209456B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure. This allows integration of the composite structures into various types of battery electrodes and cycling high capacity active materials without damaging the electrodes' internal structures and deteriorating cycling characteristics of batteries.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.