Cavitand electrolytic cell and electrolytic process
First Claim
1. An electrolytic cell comprising:
- an electrolyte;
a metal ion source electrode having an interface operatively positioned between the electrolyte and a surface of the metal ion source electrode;
a cavitand operatively associated with the electrode and the electrolyte,the cavitand having the ability to releasably attract particular ions, associated with the metal ion source electrode, within the electrolyte;
means for anchoring the cavitand to the metal ion source electrode regardless of fluctuations to the electrode surface due to deposition, or, dissolution of the particular ions;
means for causing the release of the particular ions which have been attracted to the cavitand; and
means for directing the released ions from the cavitand toward the metal ion source electrode enabling a charge transfer reaction to occur, wherein the directed ions consequently deposit on the electrode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having cavitands associated with a metal ion source-electrode and an electrolyte. The cavitands, which are anchored to the electrode by a polymer leash, are capable of releasably attracting particular ions, such as lithium ions, which are migrating from the electrolyte, toward the surface of the electrode during electrodeposition. The polymer leash serves to continuously maintain the cavitands at a predetermined distance away from the surface of the electrode, regardless of surface area fluctuations, typically caused during deposition and dissolution of the particular ions. Accordingly, the cavitands facilitate substantially uniform electrodeposition of the particular ions, which, in turn, substantially suppresses and/or controls the formation and growth of a passive film or layer, on the electrode surface, which may otherwise promote the formation of dendrites.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrolytic cell comprising:
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an electrolyte; a metal ion source electrode having an interface operatively positioned between the electrolyte and a surface of the metal ion source electrode; a cavitand operatively associated with the electrode and the electrolyte, the cavitand having the ability to releasably attract particular ions, associated with the metal ion source electrode, within the electrolyte; means for anchoring the cavitand to the metal ion source electrode regardless of fluctuations to the electrode surface due to deposition, or, dissolution of the particular ions; means for causing the release of the particular ions which have been attracted to the cavitand; and means for directing the released ions from the cavitand toward the metal ion source electrode enabling a charge transfer reaction to occur, wherein the directed ions consequently deposit on the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrolytic process comprising the steps of:
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associating a cavitand with an electrolyte; anchoring the cavitand to a metal ion source electrode and, in turn, controlling formation and growth of a passive film, or layer, on the metal ion source electrode; applying a voltage having a current across the electrolyte; attracting particular ions, associated with the metal ion source electrode, within the electrolyte, to the cavitand; enhancing an electric field adjacent a surface of the metal ion source electrode; releasing the particular ions which have been attracted to the cavitand; directing the released particular ions toward the metal ion source electrode as a result of the enhanced electric field; and depositing the electrode with the particular ions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification