Cathodes and reservoirs for aqueous lithium/air battery cells

• US 8,455,131 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
• Original Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
• Inventors: Visco, Steven J., De Jonghe, Lutgard C., Nimon, Yevgeniy S., Petrov, Alexei, Pridatko, Kirill
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anthony, Julian
• Application Number:
  US12/484,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20090311605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 429/126, 429/231.95, 429/101, 429/105
• US Class Current: 429/126
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/02 Details of electrodes H01M4/00; of non-active parts H01M50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/04 composed of a half-cell of the fuel-cell type and of a half-cell of the primary-cell type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/382 Lithium H01M4/405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/46 Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their combination with electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/04 Cells with aqueous electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/045 characterised by aqueous electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/08 Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements.

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising:

a protected anode, comprising,

a lithium metal anode having a first surface and a second surface,

a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode,

a cathode compartment comprising a cathode for reducing molecular oxygen, an active aqueous catholyte, and a solid porous reservoir structure, wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 50%; and

wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment; and

wherein the solid porous reservoir structure comprises a carbonaceous porous structure.

2. The cell of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous porous structure is in a form selected from the group consisting of felt, cloth, reticulated structures, foams, papers, and nonwoven fabric.

3. The cell of claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous porous structure is electronically conductive.

4. The cell of claim 3 wherein the electronic conductivity of the porous structure is less than that of the cathode.

5. A method of making a battery cell comprising:

assembling,

the cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode is fabricated outside of the cell prior to cell assembly.

6. A method of making a battery cell comprising:

assembling,

the cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode is fabricated by bringing a gas diffusion electrode active carbon layer and the carbonaceous porous reservoir in intimate contact during cell assembly.

7. The cell of claim 1, wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 30%.

8. The cell of claim 1, wherein the catholyte, prior to initial discharge, has an equilibrium relative humidity of less than 15%.

9. The cell of claim 1, wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more lithium ion conducting oxide having a garnet like structure.