Anodes comprising germanium for lithium-ion devices

• US 9,472,804 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: StoreDot Ltd.
• Original Assignee: StoreDot Ltd.
• Inventors: Costi, Ronny, Ophir, Carmit, Burshtain, Doron, Aronov, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKHTAR, KIRAN QURAISHI
• Application Number:
  US14/926,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20160141612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/06 with one of the electrodes allowing ions to be reversibly doped thereinto, e.g. lithium ion capacitors [LIC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/08 Structural combinations, e.g. assembly or connection, of hybrid or EDL capacitors with other electric components, at least one hybrid or EDL capacitor being the main component
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/50 specially adapted for lithium-ion capacitors, e.g. for lithium-doping or for intercalation
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/52 Separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/56 Solid electrolytes, e.g. gels; Additives therein
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/58 Liquid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/74 Terminals, e.g. extensions of current collectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0565 Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0569 characterised by the solvents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/027 Negative electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• 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 4/134 Electrodes based on metals, Si or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/136 Electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/364 as mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/38 of elements or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/386 Silicon or alloys based on silicon
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/587 for inserting or intercalating light metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/622 : being polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/623 : fluorinated polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/625 : Carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/417 : Polyolefins
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An anode material for a lithium ion device includes an active material including germanium and boron. The weight percentage of the germanium is between about 45 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of the boron is between about 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. The active material may include carbon at a weight percentage of between 0.5 to about 5 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. Additional materials, methods of making and devices are taught.

Claims

1. An anode material for a lithium ion device, comprising:

an active material comprising germanium nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm, boron carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm and tungsten carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 60 nm, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium is between 5 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode material, the weight percentage of boron in the anode material is between 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of tungsten in the anode material is between 5 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material.

2. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the active material further comprises carbon at a weight percentage of between 0.5 to 5 weight % of the total weight of the anode material.

3. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the active material further comprises silicon and a weight ratio of germanium to silicon in the active material is at least 4 to 1.

4. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium is between 60 to 75 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of the boron in the anode material is between 3 to 6 weight % of the total weight of the anode material.

5. The anode material of claim 1, wherein the weight percentage of the tungsten in the anode material is between 7 to 11 weight % of the total weight of the anode material.

6. The anode material of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more conductive materials, wherein the weight percentage of the conductive materials is between 0.01 to 5 weight % of the total weight of the anode material.

7. The anode material of claim 1, further comprising:

a binder at a weight percentage of between 0.1 to 10 weight % of the total weight of the anode material.