Encapsulated sulfur cathodes for rechargeable lithium batteries

• US 10,056,618 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2017
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Li, Weiyang, Cui, Yi, Seh, Zhi Wei, Zheng, Guangyuan, Yang, Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Lisa S
• Application Number:
  US15/404,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20170125819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/24 characterised by structural features of the materials making up or comprised in the electrodes, e.g. form, surface area or porosity; characterised by the structural features of powders or particles used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/30 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/136 Electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/1397 of electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/5815 Sulfides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/621 Binders
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/622 being polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/625 Carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/626 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/76 Containers for holding the active material, e.g. tubes, capsules
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/765 Tubular type or pencil type electrodes; tubular or multitubular sheaths or covers of insulating material for said tubular-type electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

A method of forming a sulfur-based cathode material includes: 1) providing a sulfur-based nanostructure; 2) coating the nanostructure with an encapsulating material to form a shell surrounding the nanostructure; and 3) removing a portion of the nanostructure through the shell to form a void within the shell, with a remaining portion of the nanostructure disposed within the shell.

Claims

1. A battery comprising:

an anode;

a cathode; and

an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode,

wherein the cathode includes a hollow, polymer shell defining an internal volume and a sulfur-based material disposed within the internal volume, and the sulfur-based material occupies less than 100% of the internal volume to define a void.

2. The battery of claim 1, wherein, in a substantially de-lithiated state of the sulfur-based material, a volume of the void is at least 1/3 of the internal volume.

3. The battery of claim 1, wherein, in a substantially de-lithiated state of the sulfur-based material, a volume of the void is at least 2/3 of the internal volume.

4. The battery of claim 1, wherein the sulfur-based material is configured as a hollow nanostructure, and the void is disposed within an interior of the hollow nanostructure.

5. The battery of claim 1, wherein the sulfur-based material is configured as a nanostructure.

6. The battery of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sulfur-based material directly contacts the hollow, polymer shell.

7. The battery of claim 1, wherein the hollow, polymer shell is spheroidal.

8. The battery of claim 1, wherein the hollow, polymer shell has an aspect ratio that is no greater than 3.

9. The battery of claim 1, wherein the hollow, polymer shell has an aspect ratio that is no greater than 2.5.

10. The battery of claim 1, wherein the hollow, polymer shell has an aspect ratio that is no greater than 2.

11. The battery of claim 1, wherein the hollow, polymer shell includes a wall having a thickness in a range of 1 nm to 100 nm.

12. The battery of claim 1, wherein the hollow, polymer shell includes a conductive polymer.

13. The battery of claim 12, wherein the conductive polymer includes polar groups.

14. The battery of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte includes an organic solvent.