High energy density redox flow device

• US 9,786,944 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 24M Technologies, Inc., A123 Systems Incorporated, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: 24M Technologies, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Chiang, Yet-Ming, Carter, W. Craig, Ho, Bryan Y., Duduta, Mihai, Limthongkul, Pimpa
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Helen O
• Application Number:
  US12/970,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20110200848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,490 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/72 Constructional details of fuel cells specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/188 by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/20 Indirect fuel cells, e.g. fuel cells with redox couple being irreversible H01M8/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

Redox flow devices are described in which at least one of the positive electrode or negative electrode-active materials is a semi-solid or is a condensed ion-storing electroactive material, and in which at least one of the electrode-active materials is transported to and from an assembly at which the electrochemical reaction occurs, producing electrical energy. The electronic conductivity of the semi-solid is increased by the addition of conductive particles to suspensions and/or via the surface modification of the solid in semi-solids (e.g., by coating the solid with a more electron conductive coating material to increase the power of the device). High energy density and high power redox flow devices are disclosed. The redox flow devices described herein can also include one or more inventive design features. In addition, inventive chemistries for use in redox flow devices are also described.

Claims

1. A redox energy storage device comprising:

a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode active material, and an ion-permeable medium separating said positive and negative electrode active materials, wherein at least one of said positive and negative electrode active materials comprises solid ion-storing electroactive particles in a non-aqueous electrolyte, which particles (1) are capable of taking up or releasing said ions, and (2) remain substantially insoluble, during operation of the device,

wherein

a volume percentage of the solid ion-storing electroactive particles within the non-aqueous electrolyte is between 5% and 70%.

4. The redox energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the positive electrode active material comprises the solid ion-storing electroactive particles in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

5. The redox energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the negative electrode active material comprises the solid ion-storing electroactive particles in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

6. The redox energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the positive electrode active material is at least partially disposed within a positive electroactive zone between the ion-permeable medium and a positive electrode current collector.

7. The redox energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the negative electrode active material is at least partially disposed within a negative electroactive zone between the ion-permeable medium and a negative electrode current collector.

8. The redox energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising a conductive additive in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

9. The redox energy storage device of claim 8, wherein a volume percentage of total solids including the conductive additive within the non-aqueous electrolyte is between 10% and 75%.

12. The redox energy storage device of claim 8, wherein the conductive additive forms a percolative continuously electronically conductive network in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

13. The redox energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the ion-storing electroactive particles store at least one of Li, Na, and H.

2. A redox energy storage device comprising:

a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode active material, and an ion-permeable medium separating said positive and negative electrode active materials, wherein at least one of said positive and negative electrode active materials comprises solid ion-storing electroactive particles in an aqueous liquid carrier, which particles (1) are capable of taking up or releasing said ions, and (2) remain substantially insoluble, during operation of the device,

wherein

a volume percentage of the solid ion-storing electroactive particles within the aqueous liquid carrier is between 5% and 70%.

14. The redox energy storage device of claim 2, further comprising a conductive additive in the aqueous liquid carrier.

15. The redox energy storage device of claim 14, wherein a volume percentage of total solids including the conductive additive within the aqueous liquid carrier is between 10% and 75%.

16. The redox energy storage device of claim 14, wherein the conductive additive forms a percolative continuously electronically conductive network in the aqueous liquid carrier.

17. The redox energy storage device of claim 2, wherein the ion-storing electroactive particles store at least one of Li, Na, and H.

3. A composition for a redox energy storage device, comprising solid ion-storing electroactive particles in a liquid, which particles (1) are capable of taking up or releasing said ions, and (2) remain substantially insoluble, during operation of the device, wherein a volume percentage of the solid ion-storing electroactive particles within the liquid is between 5% and 70%.

10. The composition of claim 3, further comprising a conductive additive in the liquid.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein a volume percentage of total solids including the conductive additive within the liquid is between 10% and 75%.

18. The composition of claim 10, wherein the conductive additive forms a percolative continuously electronically conductive network in the liquid.

19. The composition of claim 3, wherein the ion-storing electroactive particles store at least one of Li, Na, and H.