Fullerene-containing cathodes for solid electrochemical cells

• US 5,302,474 A
• Filed: 04/02/1993
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valence Technology Incorporated (Lithium Werks B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Valence Technology Incorporated (Lithium Werks B.V.)
• Inventors: Shackle, Dale R.
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/042,300
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 429/192, 429/218, 29/623.5
• US Class Current: 429/312
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0565 Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/587 for inserting or intercalating light metals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/948 Energy storage/generating using nanostructure, e.g. fuel cell, battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 including coating or impregnating

Abstract

This invention is directed to solid electrochemical cells containing a solid radiation cured polymer electrolyte and a cathode composed of radiation cured polymer electrolyte and fullerene.

Claims

1. A solid electrochemical cell comprises:

a solid ionically conducting electrolyte comprising a polymeric matrix, an inorganic salt, and a solvent;

a compatible anode;

a compatible cathode prepared by radiation curing and comprising a mixture of said electrolyte and fullerene; and

a current collector;

wherein said electrolyte is operationally interposed between said cathode and said anode, and said cathode is operationally interposed between said electrolyte and said collector.

2. A cell according to claim 1 wherein said anode comprises materials selected from the group consisting of lithium and lithium alloys.

3. A cell according to claim 1 wherein said fullerene is C₆₀.

4. A method of producing a solid electrochemical cell comprising the steps of:

coating a cathode composition comprising a radiation polymerizable polymer precursor and fullerene onto a substrate;

coating an ionically conducting electrolyte composition comprising said radiation polymerizable polymer precursors onto said cathode composition;

partially or totally curing said cathode composition and said electrolyte composition by exposure to radiation; and

applying an anode composition comprising lithium onto said electrolyte to form a cell assembly.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said radiation is electron beam radiation.

6. A cathode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell with a solid polymer electrolyte, comprises radiation polymerizable polymer precursors and fullerene.