Graphene current collectors in batteries for portable electronic devices

• US 8,951,675 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2011
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bhardwaj, Ramesh C., Mank, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leong, Jonathan G
• Assistant Examiner(s): ERWIN, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US13/273,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20130095389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 429/209, 429/218.1, 429/231.8, 429/233, 429/234, 429/322
• US Class Current: 429/234
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/056 characterised by the materials used as electrolytes, e.g. mixed inorganic/organic electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0562 Solid materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/133 Electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/382 Lithium H01M4/405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/583 Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/663 containing carbon or carbonaceous materials as conductive part, e.g. graphite, carbon fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/667 in the form of layers, e.g. coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/668 Composites of electroconductive material and synthetic resins
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes a cathode current collector containing graphene, a cathode active material, an electrolyte, an anode active material, and an anode current collector. The graphene may reduce the manufacturing cost and/or increase the energy density of the battery cell.

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising:

a cathode active material;

a cathode current collector;

an electrolyte;

an anode active material; and

an anode current collector;

wherein the cathode current collector comprises a layer of polyamide covered on each side by only one graphene monolayer, wherein the only one graphene monolayer on each side of the polyamide layer is sandwiched by the polyamide layer and the cathode active material, and wherein the only one graphene monolayer from each side of the polyamide layer is connected with each other at the end of the polyamide layer to form a continuous current collector.

2. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode current collector is disposed on a non-conducting substrate.

3. The battery cell of claim 2, wherein the electrolyte is a solid electrolyte.

4. The battery cell of claim 3, wherein the solid electrolyte comprises lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON).

5. The battery cell of claim 2,

wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and

wherein the anode active material comprises lithium metal.

6. The battery cell of claim 1,

wherein the polyamide layer is about two microns thick.

7. The battery cell of claim 1,

wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and

wherein the anode active material comprises graphite.

9. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode current collector is disposed on a non-conducting substrate.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the electrolyte is a solid electrolyte.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein the solid electrolyte comprises lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON).

12. The portable electronic device of claim 9,

wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and

wherein the anode active material comprises lithium metal.

8. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a set of components powered by a battery pack; and

the battery pack, comprising;

a battery cell, comprising;

a cathode active material;

a cathode current collector;

an electrolyte;

an anode active material; and

an anode current collector;

wherein the cathode current collector comprises a layer of polyamide covered on each side by only one graphene monolayer, wherein the only one graphene monolayer on each side of the polyamide layer is sandwiched by the polyamide layer and the cathode active material, and wherein the only one graphene monolayer from each side of the polyamide layer is connected with each other at the end of the polyamide layer to form a continuous current collector.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 8,

wherein the polyamide layer is about two microns thick.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 8,

wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and

wherein the anode active material comprises graphite.