Composite electrode and method for fabricating same

• US 7,722,686 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2006
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Maxwell Technologies Incorporated (Tesla Inc.)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Porter, Xi, Xiaomei, Zhong, Linda
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons; Thomas H.
• Application Number:
  US11/487,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20070026317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 428/232, 156/306.3, 361/502, 296/233
• US Class Current: 29/623.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/24 characterised by structural features of the materials making up or comprised in the electrodes, e.g. form, surface area or porosity; characterised by the structural features of powders or particles used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/28 arranged or disposed on a current collector; Layers or phases between electrodes and current collectors, e.g. adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/38 Carbon pastes or blends; Binders or additives therein
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/40 Fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/70 characterised by their structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/86 specially adapted for electrodes carbonisation or activation of carbon for the manufacture of electrodes H01G11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/04 Processes of manufacture in general
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/0435 Rolling or calendering
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49112 including laminating of indefinite length material

Abstract

Composite electrodes are constructed with pressure-bonding techniques instead of an adhesive. A current collector is made from aluminum foil roughed on both surfaces. The surfaces of the collector can be treated to enhance adhesion to the surfaces. Layers of film that includes active electrode material, such as activated carbon, are fabricated and pressure-bonded to the current collector using a calender with heated rollers. The resulting composite sheet is then processed to shape electrodes, which can be used in electrical energy storage devices, including double layer capacitors.

Claims

1. An energy storage device comprising:

a current collector comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the current collector being uneven; and

a first film of active electrode material, the first film comprising dry carbon and binder particles, the first film comprising a third surface adjacent to the first surface of the current collector, the third surface of the first film being attached directly to the first surface of the current collector;

wherein the first and third surfaces are bonded directly to each other causing the first surface to adhere to the third surface.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first film of active electrode material comprises dry fibrillized carbon and binder particles.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the current collector and the first film of active electrode material are configured to comprise a double-layer capacitor electrode.

4. The device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first film of active electrode material is attached to the current collector as a self-supporting film.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a double-layer capacitor electrode.

6. The device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a second film of active electrode material, the second film comprising a fourth surface adjacent to the second surface of the current collector, the fourth surface of the second film being attached directly to the second surface of the current collector;

wherein the fourth surface and the second surface are bonded directly to each other causing the fourth surface to adhere to the second surface.

7. The device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the first film and second film of active electrode material comprises dry fibrillized carbon and binder particles, and wherein the device comprises an energy storage device.

8. A method of manufacturing an electrode, comprising:

providing a current collector comprising a first surface and a second surface;

roughing the first and second surfaces of the current collector;

providing a first film of active electrode material comprising a third surface;

providing a second film of active electrode material comprising a fourth surface;

bringing the first surface in direct contact with the third surface;

bringing the second surface in direct contact with the fourth surface;

pressing the first film, the current collector, and the second film together to cause the first surface to adhere to the third surface, and the second surface to adhere to the fourth surface; and

wherein the film comprises a dry fibrillized blend of carbon and binder particles.

9. The method of manufacturing an electrode in accordance with claim 8, wherein said step of pressing comprises a step of processing the first film, the current collector, and the second film in a calender to cause the first surface of the current collector to adhere to the third surface of the first film, and to cause the second surface of the current collector to adhere to the fourth surface of the second film.

10. The method of manufacturing an electrode in accordance with claim 9, wherein the calender applies a pressure of about 250 or more pounds per linear inch on the first film, the current collector, and the second film.

11. The method of manufacturing an electrode in accordance with claim 9, wherein the step of pressing comprises a step of processing the first film, the current collector, and the second film between a first roller and a second roller of a calender, further comprising a step of heating at least one of the first and second rollers to a temperature of between about 100 degrees Celsius and about 300 degree Celsius.

12. A method of manufacturing an electrode, comprising:

providing a current collector comprising a first surface and a second surface;

roughing the first and second surfaces of the current collector;

providing a first film of active electrode material comprising a third surface;

providing a second film of active electrode material comprising a fourth surface;

bringing the first surface in direct contact with the third surface;

bringing the second surface in direct contact with the fourth surface;

pressing the first film, the current collector, and the second film together to cause the first surface to adhere to the third surface, and the second surface to adhere to the fourth surface; and

wherein said step of pressing comprises a step of processing the first film, the current collector, and the second film in a calender to cause the first surface of the current collector to adhere to the third surface of the first film, and to cause the second surface of the current collector to adhere to the fourth surface of the second film; and

wherein the film comprises a dry fibrillized blend of carbon and binder particles.