Encapsulated sulfur cathodes for rechargeable lithium batteries

• US 10,566,630 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2018
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University)
• Inventors: Li, Weiyang, Cui, Yi, Seh, Zhi Wei, Zheng, Guangyuan, Yang, Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Lisa S
• Application Number:
  US16/039,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20190081327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 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 method of forming a cathode material, comprising:

providing a sulfur-based nanostructure;

coating the nanostructure with an encapsulating material to form a shell surrounding the nanostructure; and

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shell includes a wall that is porous.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the portion of the nanostructure is performed by partial dissolution of the nanostructure in a solvent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a volume of the void is at least 1/3 of an internal volume of the shell.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a volume of the void is at least 2/3 of an internal volume of the shell.