Electrolytes for lithium sulfur cells

• US 9,716,291 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2014
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
• Inventors: Mikhaylik, Yuriy V.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEINER, LAURA S
• Application Number:
  US14/446,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20140335399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0567 characterised by the additives
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0568 characterised by the solutes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0569 characterised by the solvents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0028 characterised by the solvent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/13 Electrodes for accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g. for lithium-accumulators; Processes of manufacture thereof
• 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 4/1397 of electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
• 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 4/5815 Sulfides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/60 of organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/164 by the solvent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/166 by the solute
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/168 by additives
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed is an additive for an electrochemical cell wherein the additive includes an N—O bond. The additive is most preferably included in a nonaqueous electrolyte of the cell. Also disclosed are cells and batteries including the additive, and methods of charging the batteries and cells. An electrochemical cell including the additive preferably has an anode that includes lithium and a cathode including an electroactive sulfur-containing material.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising:

(a) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material;

(b) an anode comprising lithium; and

(c) a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises;

(i) one or more nonaqueous solvents selected from the group consisting of acyclic ethers, cyclic ethers, polyethers, cyclic acetals, acyclic acetals and sulfones;

(ii) one or more lithium salts; and

(iii) one or more N—

O additives selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic nitroso-compounds and iso-nitroso compounds.

2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 wherein the nitroso- and iso-nitroso compounds are selected from one or more of the group consisting of nitroso compounds having a general formula of R—

NO and iso-nitroso compounds having a general formula of R═

NOH, where R is an organic radical or chalcogen selected from Cl and F, and R═

is an organic radical.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the one or more N—

O additives in the electrolyte is from about 0.1 m to 1.5 m.

4. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the one or more N—

O additives in the electrolyte is from about 0.2 m to 1.0 m.

5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the one or more lithium salts in the electrolyte is from about 0.2 m to about 2.0 m.

6. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode.

7. The electrochemical cell of claim 6, wherein the one or more N—

O additives was included as part of the separator and was introduced into the electrolyte after the electrolyte came into contact with the separator.

8. A battery comprising a casing and one or more electrochemical cells of claim 1.

9. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the nonaqueous solvent comprises cyclic acetals with the structure:

10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the nonaqueous solvent comprises acyclic acetals with the structure:

11. An electrochemical cell comprising:

(a) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material;

(b) an anode comprising lithium; and

(c) a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises;

(i) one or more nonaqueous solvents selected from the group consisting of acyclic ethers, cyclic ethers, polyethers, and sulfones; and

(ii) one or more N—

O additives comprising organic and inorganic nitroso-compounds and iso-nitroso compounds.

12. The electrochemical cell of claim 11, wherein the concentration of the one or more N—

O additives in the electrolyte is from about 0.1 m to 1.5 m.

13. The cell of electrochemical claim 11, wherein the concentration of the one or more N—

O additives in the electrolyte is from about 0.2 m to 1.0 m.

14. A battery comprising a casing and one or more electrochemical cells of claim 11.

15. An electrochemical cell comprising:

(a) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material;

(b) an anode comprising lithium; and

(c) a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises;

(i) one or more nonaqueous solvents selected from the group consisting of acyclic ethers, cyclic ethers, polyethers, cyclic acetals, acyclic acetals and sulfones;

(ii) one or more lithium salts; and

(iii) one or more N—

O additives selected from the group consisting of nitroso- and iso-nitroso compounds, the nitroso compounds having a formula consisting of R—

NO and the iso-nitroso compounds having a formula consisting of R═

NOH, where R is an organic radical or chalcogen selected from Cl and F, and R═

is an organic radical.