POSITIVE ELECTRODES FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES

• US 20150004472A1
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Published: 01/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UChicago Argonne LLC
• Original Assignee: UChicago Argonne LLC
• Inventors: THACKERAY, Michael M., JOHNSON, Christopher S., KANG, Sun-Ho
• Application Number:
  US14/455,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20150004472A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/158
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/028 Positive electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/002 Inorganic electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/131 Electrodes based on mixed oxides or hydroxides, or on mixtures of oxides or hydroxides, e.g. LiCoOx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/1391 of electrodes based on mixed oxides or hydroxides, or on mixtures of oxides or hydroxides, e.g. LiCoOx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/366 as layered products
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/485 of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy H01M4/505, H01M4/525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/505 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/525 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/5825 Oxygenated metallic salts or polyanionic structures, e.g. borates, phosphates, silicates, olivines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

Lithium-rich compounds that are precursors for positive electrodes for lithium cells and batteries comprise a Li₂O-containing compound as one component, and a second charged or partially-charged component, selected preferably from a metal oxide, a lithium-metal-oxide, a metal phosphate or metal sulfate compound. Li₂O is extracted from the electrode precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. Methods for synthesizing and activating the electrodes, electrochemical cells, and batteries containing such electrodes also are described.

Claims

12. An activated positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell prepared by combining:

(a) a first component containing one or more metal cation- and Li₂O-containing materials; and

(b) a second component containing one or more charged or partially-charged metal cation-containing electrode materials selected from the group consisting of a charged or partially charged lithium metal oxide, a charged or partially charged metal phosphate, and a charged or partially charged metal sulfate, which can accommodate lithium within their structure during the charging and discharging of the electrode when included in an electrochemical cell, to form a precursor material;

fabricating an electrode from the precursor material, and subsequently electrochemically activating the electrode by applying a sufficiently high potential to the electrode in an electrochemical cell also including a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte to remove Li₂O from the precursor material;

wherein the first component comprises an intergrown composite structure or a blend of compounds containing the Li₂O-containing material;

with the proviso that at least one of the first and second components does not contain manganese.

13. The electrode of claim 12, wherein the Li₂O-containing material comprises a lithium manganese-oxide or lithium-iron oxide component.

14. The electrode of claim 13, wherein the Li₂O-containing material comprises Li₂MnO₃ or Li₅FeO₄.

15. The electrode of claim 12, wherein the first component further comprises a lithium metal oxide component, LiMO₂, in which M comprises a transition metal cation.

16. The electrode of claim 15, wherein M comprises one or more of Mn, Ni and Co.

17. The electrode of claim 15, wherein the transition metal is combined with one or more other metal ions.

18. The electrode of claim 15, wherein the transition metal is combined with one or more of Al and Mg.

19. The electrode of claim 15, wherein the second component comprises a charged or partially-charged metal oxide, a lithium metal oxide, a metal phosphate, or a metal sulfate.

20. The electrode of claim 19, wherein the second component is a charged or partially-charged lithium metal oxide.

21. The electrode of claim 20, wherein the metal of the charged or partially-charged lithium metal oxide comprises one or more transition metal.

23. An electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode of claim 12, a negative electrode spaced from the positive electrode, and a lithium-containing non-aqueous electrolyte in contact with the positive and negative electrodes.

24. A non-aqueous lithium battery comprising a plurality of electrically connected electrochemical cells of claim 23.

22-1. A non-aqueous lithium battery comprising a plurality of electrically connected electrochemical cells of claim 1.