HYBRID ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR WITH A SOLUBLE ANODE
First Claim
1. A soluble electrode for use in an electrochemical generator, the soluble electrode comprising:
- an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof;
an electron acceptor provided in the solvent, wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical;
wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the solvent.
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Abstract
The invention relates to soluble electrodes, including soluble anodes, for use in electrochemical systems, such as electrochemical generators including primary and secondary batteries and fuel cells. Soluble electrodes of the invention are capable of effective replenishing and/or regeneration, and thereby enable an innovative class of electrochemical systems capable of efficient recharging and/or electrochemical cycling. In addition, soluble electrodes of the invention provide electrochemical generators combining high energy density and enhanced safety with respect to conventional lithium ion battery technology. In some embodiments, for example, the invention provides a soluble electrode comprising an electron donor metal and electron acceptor provided in a solvent so as to generate a solvated electron solution capable of participating in oxidation and reduction reactions useful for the storage and generation of electrical current.
152 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A soluble electrode for use in an electrochemical generator, the soluble electrode comprising:
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an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the solvent, wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the solvent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A soluble electrode for use in an electrochemical generator, the soluble electrode comprising:
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an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the solvent, wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical; a supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the solvent; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the solvent. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An electrochemical generator comprising:
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a negative soluble electrode comprising; an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a first solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the first solvent, wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the first solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the first solvent; a positive electrode comprising an active positive electrode material; and a separator provided between the negative soluble electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is non-liquid and conducts the electron donor metal ions as a charge carrier in the electrochemical generator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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37. An electrochemical generator comprising:
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a negative soluble electrode comprising; an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a first solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the first solvent;
wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical;a first supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the first solvent; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the first solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the first solvent; a positive electrode comprising; an active positive electrode material provided in contact with a second solvent; a second supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the second solvent; and a separator provided between the negative soluble electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is non-liquid and conducts the electron donor metal ions as a charge carrier in the electrochemical generator. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 51, 52)
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53. A method of discharging an electrochemical generator, the method comprising:
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providing an electrochemical generator, the generator comprising; a negative soluble electrode comprising; an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a first solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the first solvent;
wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical;a first supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the first solvent; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the first solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the first solvent; a positive electrode comprising; an active positive electrode material provided in contact with a second solvent; a second supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the second solvent; a separator provided between the negative soluble electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is non-liquid and conducts the electron donor metal ions as a charge carrier in the electrochemical generator; and discharging the electrochemical generator.
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54. A method of charging an electrochemical generator, the method comprising:
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providing an electrochemical generator, the generator comprising; a negative soluble electrode comprising; an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a first solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the first solvent;
wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical;a first supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the first solvent; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the first solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the first solvent; a positive electrode comprising; an active positive electrode material provided in contact with a second solvent; a second supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the second solvent; a separator provided between the negative soluble electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is non-liquid and conducts the electron donor metal ions as a charge carrier in the electrochemical generator; selecting a charging voltage and/or current according to a state of health of the electrochemical generator; and providing the selected voltage and/or current to the electrodes of the electrochemical generator to charge the electrochemical generator. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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56. A method of charging an electrochemical generator, the method comprising:
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providing an electrochemical generator, the generator comprising; a negative soluble electrode comprising; an electron donor comprising an electron donor metal provided in a first solvent, wherein the electron donor metal is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide metal or alloy thereof; an electron acceptor provided in the first solvent;
wherein the electron acceptor is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an organo radical;a first supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the first solvent; wherein at least a portion of the electron donor comprising an electron donor metal is dissolved in the first solvent, thereby generating electron donor metal ions and solvated electrons in the first solvent; a positive electrode comprising; an active positive electrode material provided in contact with a second solvent; a second supporting electrolyte comprising a metal at least partially dissolved in the second solvent; a separator provided between the negative soluble electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is non-liquid and conducts the electron donor metal ions as a charge carrier in the electrochemical generator; removing substantially all of the electron donor metal, electron acceptor and first solvent from the soluble negative electrode; and providing electron donor metal, electron acceptor and first solvent to the soluble negative electrode.
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Specification