Voltage-enhanced energy storage devices

• US 9,559,386 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2014
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ambri
• Original Assignee: Ambri
• Inventors: Bradwell, David J., Yu, Xingwen, Thompson, Greg A., Cui, Jianyi, Elliott, Alex, Lee, Chia-Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US14/536,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20150132627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 320/137
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/399 Cells with molten salts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0054 Halogenides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/38 of elements or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/382 Lithium H01M4/405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/387 Tin or alloys based on tin
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/42 Alloys based on zinc
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/44 Alloys based on cadmium
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative current collector, a negative electrode in electrical communication with the negative current collector, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the negative electrode, a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrolyte and a positive current collector in electrical communication with the positive electrode. The negative electrode comprises an alkali metal. Upon discharge, the electrolyte provides charged species of the alkali metal. The positive electrode can include a Group IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA of the periodic table of the elements, or a transition metal (e.g., Group 12 element).

Claims

1. An energy storage device, comprising:

(a) a first electrode comprising a first material;

(b) a second electrode comprising a second material; and

(c) a liquid electrolyte between said first and second electrodes, wherein said liquid electrolyte is capable of conducting ions from said first material,

wherein said energy storage device is configured such that, upon discharge of said energy storage device, said first and second materials react to form an intermetallic layer at an interface between said second electrode and said electrolyte, and

wherein said second electrode and said first electrode are at an ampere-hour (Ah) capacity ratio that suppresses bowing of said intermetallic layer.

2. The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said second electrode has a loading of at least about 1 ampere-hours per square centimeter (Ah/cm²).

3. The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein said second electrode comprises antimony (Sb) and lead (Pb), and wherein said loading of said second electrode is based on the Sb content of the second electrode.

4. The energy storage device of claim 3, wherein said second electrode comprises between about 20 mol % and 80 mol % Sb.

5. The energy storage device of claim 3, wherein said second electrode comprises between about 20 mol % and 80 mol % Pb.

6. The energy storage device of claim 3, wherein said second electrode comprises Sb and Pb at a ratio (mol %) between about 20:

80 and 80;

20 Sb to Pb.

7. The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein said second electrode comprises bismuth (Bi), and wherein said loading of said second electrode is based on the Bi content of the second electrode.

8. The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said energy storage device does not short when operated at 800 milliamperes per square centimeter (mA/cm²).

9. The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising a crucible or coating surrounding said first electrode, said second electrode, said electrolyte and said intermetallic layer, wherein said crucible or coating is non-wetting with respect to said second material.

10. The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein said crucible comprises graphite, silicon carbide (SiC), titanium carbide (TiC), or any combination thereof.

11. The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein said intermetallic layer contacts said crucible or coating.

12. The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein said crucible or coating lines an interior of a housing of said energy storage device.

13. The energy storage device of claim 12, wherein said energy storage device is configured such that, during operation, said second material does not flow between said crucible and said housing.

14. The energy storage device of claim 12, wherein said coating is bonded to an inner surface of said housing.

15. The energy storage device of claim 12, wherein said crucible is not a sheath.

16. The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein said crucible has a thickness from about 3 millimeters (mm) to about 30 mm.

17. The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein said coating has a thickness that is less than about 1 millimeters.

18. The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein said crucible or coating is electrically conductive.

19. The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein a loading of said first electrode is less than or equal to a loading of said second electrode.

20. The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said second electrode comprises bismuth (Bi).

21. An energy storage device, comprising:

(a) a first electrode comprising a first material;

(b) a second electrode comprising a second material; and

(c) a liquid electrolyte between said first and second electrodes, wherein said liquid electrolyte is capable of conducting ions from said first material,

wherein said energy storage device is configured such that, upon discharge of said energy storage device at an operating temperature of at least about 250°

C., said first and second materials react to form an intermetallic layer at an interface between said second electrode and said electrolyte, and

wherein said second electrode comprises antimony (Sb) and lead (Pb).

22. The energy storage device of claim 21, wherein said operating temperature is at least about 350°

C.

23. The energy storage device of claim 21, wherein said second electrode has a loading of at least about 1 ampere-hours per square centimeter (Ah/cm²).

24. The energy storage device of claim 21, wherein said energy storage device does not short when operated at about 800 milliamperes per square centimeter (mA/cm²).

25. The energy storage device of claim 21, further comprising a crucible or coating surrounding said first electrode, said second electrode, said electrolyte and said intermetallic layer, wherein said crucible or coating is non-wetting with respect to said second material.