Systems and methods for implementing high-temperature tolerant supercapacitors

• US 9,324,507 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Brandon, Erik J., West, William C., Bugga, Ratnakumar V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ha, Nguyen T
• Application Number:
  US14/301,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20140362495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 361/502, 361503-504, 361/512, 361516-519
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/18 against thermal overloads, e.g. heating, cooling or ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/32 Carbon-based
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/38 Carbon pastes or blends; Binders or additives therein
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/52 Separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/62 characterised by the solute, e.g. salts, anions or cations therein
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement high-temperature tolerant supercapacitors. In one embodiment, a high-temperature tolerant super capacitor includes a first electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.; a second electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and approximately 300° C.; an ionically conductive separator that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80° C. and 300° C.; an electrolyte that is thermally stable between approximately at least 80° C. and approximately 300° C.; where the first electrode and second electrode are separated by the separator such that the first electrode and second electrode are not in physical contact; and where each of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially immersed in the electrolyte solution.

Claims

1. A high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor comprising:

a first electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80°

C. and approximately 300°

C.;

a second electrode that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80°

C. and approximately 300°

C.;

wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a composite material used in conjunction with a binder that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80°

C. and approximately 300°

C.;

an ionically conductive separator that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80°

C. and 300°

C.; and

an electrolyte that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80°

C. and approximately 300°

C.;

wherein the first electrode and second electrode are separated by the separator such that the first electrode and second electrode are not in physical contact; and

wherein each of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially immersed in the electrolyte solution.

2. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises carbon.

3. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 2, wherein the carbon is in the form of one of:

woven carbon cloth, carbon aerogel, and activated carbon.

4. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 3, wherein the carbon is porous.

5. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 4, wherein the carbon'"'"'s surface area per unit mass is greater than approximately 1000 m²/g.

6. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 5, wherein the carbon'"'"'s surface area per unit mass is greater than approximately 2000 m²/g.

7. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 6, wherein the carbon is embodied within Spectracarb 2225.

8. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein the binder is polytetrafluoroethylene.

9. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is used in conjunction with a solvent that is thermally stable between at least approximately 80°

C. and approximately 300°

C.

10. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is in the form of an ionic liquid.

11. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 10, wherein the ionic liquid comprises a pyrrolidinium-based cation.

12. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 10, wherein the ionic liquid comprises an imidazolium-based cation.

13. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 10, wherein the ionic liquid is one of:

1-butyl-3-methlimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMIm) and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPIm).

14. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises one of:

zirconia, silica, glass mat fiber, silicon carbide, boron nitride, zirconium oxide, and a polymer.

15. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises Zircar Type ZYK-15.

16. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 1, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the ionically conductive separator, and the electrolyte, are arranged such that they can act in aggregate to enable the operation of a supercapacitor.

17. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 16, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the ionically conductive separator, and the electrolyte, are arranged such that they can act in aggregate to enable the operation of a supercapacitor that can withstand a charging voltage of greater than approximately 1.5 volts.

18. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 17, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the ionically conductive separator, and the electrolyte, are arranged such that they can act in aggregate to enable the operation of a supercapacitor that can exhibit a round-trip efficiency of greater than approximately 90%.

19. The high-temperature tolerant supercapacitor of claim 17, wherein the electrolyte is characterized by a low vapor pressure.