Lithium sulfur batteries and electrolytes and sulfur cathodes thereof
First Claim
1. An aqueous sulfur battery cell, comprising:
- an anode structure comprising a lithium electroactive material;
a cathode comprising a solid electron transfer medium;
an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising an aqueous solvent system and electroactive sulfur species dissolved therein, the aqueous solvent system comprising water solvent for maintaining electroactive sulfur species in solution during cell discharge and a cycle life enhancing compound, that facilitates charging at the cathode;
wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution is in electron transfer contact with the cathode but isolated from direct contact with the lithium electroactive material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Lithium sulfur battery cells that use water as an electrolyte solvent provide significant cost reductions. Electrolytes for the battery cells may include water solvent for maintaining electroactive sulfur species in solution during cell discharge and a sufficient amount of a cycle life-enhancing compound that facilitates charging at the cathode. The combination of these two components enhances one or more of the following cell attributes: energy density, power density and cycle life. For instance, in applications where cost per Watt-Hour (Wh) is paramount, such as grid storage and traction applications, the use of an aqueous electrolyte in combination with inexpensive sulfur as the cathode active material can be a key enabler for the utility and automotive industries, for example, providing a cost effective and compact solution for load leveling, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Sulfur cathodes, and methods of fabricating lithium sulfur cells, in particular for loading lithium sulfide into the cathode structures, provide further advantages.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An aqueous sulfur battery cell, comprising:
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an anode structure comprising a lithium electroactive material; a cathode comprising a solid electron transfer medium; an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising an aqueous solvent system and electroactive sulfur species dissolved therein, the aqueous solvent system comprising water solvent for maintaining electroactive sulfur species in solution during cell discharge and a cycle life enhancing compound, that facilitates charging at the cathode; wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution is in electron transfer contact with the cathode but isolated from direct contact with the lithium electroactive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification