Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
  • H01M8/184—Regeneration by electrochemical means
  • H01M8/188—Regeneration by electrochemical means by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M12/00—Hybrid cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M12/08—Hybrid cells; Manufacture thereof composed of a half-cell of a fuel-cell type and a half-cell of the secondary-cell type
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
  • H01M4/52—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron
  • H01M4/525—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M8/20—Indirect fuel cells, e.g. fuel cells with redox couple being irreversible
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
  • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
  • H01M2300/0025—Organic electrolyte
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
  • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
  • H01M2300/0025—Organic electrolyte
  • H01M2300/0028—Organic electrolyte characterised by the solvent
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
  • H01M4/485—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
  • H01M4/50—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of manganese
  • H01M4/505—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of manganese of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/58—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy; of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/58—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy; of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
  • H01M4/581—Chalcogenides or intercalation compounds thereof
  • H01M4/5815—Sulfides
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

• Lithium sulfur energy storage systems can have an energy density up to 2300 Wb/kg, which is well beyond that of conventional Li-ion batteries.
• practical application of Li-S batteries is still limited by several challenges that result in severe self- discharge and loss of active S, which often results in poor cycling and/or shelf-life.
• the energy storage system can comprise a first electrode current eollector, a second electrode current collector, and an ion- permeable separator separating the first and second electrode current collectors.
• a second electrode is arranged between the second electrode current coliecior and the separator.
• a first electrode is arranged between the first electrode current collector and the separator and comprises a first condensed-phase fluid comprising Li s S y .
• a condensed-phase fluid can include a fiowable material that is substantially not in the vapor phase.
• examples can include, but are not limited to, liquids, liquid solutions, solids, and mixtures of liquids and solids, such as suspensions, slurries, emulsions, micelles, and gels.
• embodiments of the present invention do not necessarily exclude the presence of small amounts of vapor, which may exist, for example, in equilibrium with the condensed-phase fluid or as a minor reaction product during operation of the energy storage device.
• an electrode can refer to a solid material comprising an active material, an electrically conductive material, an additive binder, and a current collector.
• electrode can also be used in such a way as to include electrically conductive additives and a binder, in flow batteries, the active material is a fluid and can be flowed and/or replaced.
• the active material is traditionally referred to as being pan of the electrolyte.
• a current collector is in electrical contact with the electrolyte and active material.
• the electrode typically refers to the active material regardless of physical state.
• the active material is referred to as the electrode if it is dissolved in the electrolyte or is present in a solid phase.
• electrode does not necessarily refer also to the current collector, electrically conductive additives, or binder. Furthermore, given that this dcscument includes descriptions of primary and secondary cells, the electrodes are referred to as being positive and negative for clarity and to avoid the fixed connotations of the terms cathode, anode, eathoiyte, and ano!yte.
• sulfur is an eiectrochemically active species in the energy storage system and is not merely an element in an intercalation, storage, or conversion compound.
• an eiectrochemically active species refers to a material which changes its oxidation state during an electrochemical reaction. In some embodiments, with regard to Li x S y , y is from approximately 1 to approximately 8.
• y is from approximately 3 to approximately 8.
• x is from zero to approximately 4.
• the first condensed-phase fluid can be a liquid solution comprising soluble Li S .
• the first condensed-phase fluid can be a suspension comprising insoluble Li x S y , wherein x is from zero to approximately 4.
• the energy storage device can comprise a liquid electrolyte and a solid-phase sulfur species located on the first-electrode side of the separator.
• the Li x S y can be a reaction product of the solid-phase sulfur species and the liquid electrolyte.
• the solid-phase sulfur species can comprise panicles embedded in a solid matrix material, hi a particular embodiment, the solid matrix material can comprise carbon. Examples of solid matrix materials can include, but are not limited to, carbon felts, Ketjenblaek, graphene, and other porous carbon materials.
• the solid matrix can also function as the first electrode current collector.
• the second electrode can be a stationary electrode. Alternatively, it can.
• the second electrode can comprise lithium.
• the second electrode can comprise a lithium intercalation material, a lithium conversion material, or both.
• the energy storage systems can be configured to operate such that the first electrode current collector and the first electrode are positive, and the second electrode current collector and second electrode are negative.
• the second electrode in such instances, can comprise lithium intercalation or conversion compounds having an electrochemical potential lower than that of Li x S v .
• Exampies can include, but are not limited to, Li, ⁇ 4 ⁇ 5 0]2, Li VOv (3>x>l ), LiC x (6>x), Li s Si ⁇ 4>x>0.5 ⁇ , Li s S y (4>x 0.5) 5 C03O4, MnOa, FejOs, NiO, M0O3, and other transition metal oxides.
• the second electrode can comprise a carbonaceous material. Examples can include, but are not limited to, graphite, soli carbon, and graphene.
• the energy storage systems can be configured to operate such that the first electrode current collector and the first electrode are negative, and the second electrode current collector and the second electrode are positive.
• the second electrode in such instances, can comprise lithium intercalation or conversion compounds having an electrochemical potential higher than that of Li x S y . Examples can include, but are not limited to LiFeP0 4 , LiCo0 2l LiMn 2 0 , LiNi 2 0 , LiCo 2 0 4 . and EiNio.5Mri1 .5O4.
• Composite materials can also be suitable.
• One example includes xii 2 Mn03 « (l -x)Li ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2, wherein M ⁇ Mn, Ni, Co and combinations thereof, x ⁇ 0.3-0.6.
• Fig. 1 is a diagram depicting an energy storage system having a first condensed- phase fluid as a first electrode and a stationary electrode as a second electrode according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an energy storage system having condensed-phase fluids tor the first and second electrodes according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 3 is a graph of the relative voltages for a variety of examples of suitable cell configurations for when the first electrode is operated as a cathode or an anode.
• Fig. 4 is a graph presenting cycling data for an energy storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 a diagram depicts one embodiment in which a first electrode Is disposed between a first electrode current collector 105 and an ion-permeable separator 103.
• the first electrode is a condensed-phase fluid 108 comprising Li S y 109.
• the Li x S y can be soluble in a condensed-phase fluid that is a liquid solution.
• the Li >; S y can be insoluble in a condensed-phase fluid that is a suspension.
• the L i x S can be coated on sulfur particles in a suspension composing the first condensed-phase fluid.
• the second electrode 106 is a stationary electrode disposed between a current collector 104 and the ion-permeable separator J 03. Redox reactions occurring at the first and second electrodes can result in transfer of electrons to an operably connected load 101 as well as ion transfer across the ion-permeable separator.
• the condensed-phase fluid can flow 7 -from a source 107, through an electrode area 1 JO, to an exit 102.
• a source 107 is a storage tank containing fresh condensed-phase fluid.
• the condensed-phase fluid exiting the electrode area can, for example, be recycled to the storage tank. Alternatively, it can be stored in a separate spent fluid storage tank.
• the firs electrode is a first condensed- phase fluid 209 comprising Li x S y 212 and the second electrode is a second condensed-phase fluid 210 comprising lithium, a lithium intercalation material a lithium conversion material, or combinations thereof 2 ⁇ 3.
• ion-permeable separator 204 separates the first and second electrodes. Redox reactions occurring at the electrodes can result in the transfer of electrons through first and second electrode current collectors 206 and 205, respectively, arid to an operably connected external load 201. Transfer of ions occurs across the separator 204 to maintain charge balance.
• the first and second condensed-phase fluids (209 and 2 , respectively) can -flow from sources (207 and 208, respectively), through first and second electrode areas (214 and 21 , respectively), to exits (202 and 203, respectively).
• the flow ca be operated continuously or in a batch or semi-batch manner.
• the cell potential can be reversed to operate in a charge or discharge mode.
• the energy storage systems described herein can be operated, in two different configurations.
• the first electrode comprising Li x S v can be operated as a positive electrode
• the second electrode When operated as a cathode, the second electrode comprises a material having an electrochemical potential less than that of Li x S y .
• the second electrode when operated as an anode, the second electrode comprises a material having an electrochemical potential greater than that of Li x S y .
• a graph of voltage as a function of capacity indicates a variety of examples of suitable compounds for when the first electrode is operated as a cathode or anode.
• Second electrodes comprising compounds listed above the LLS V dotted line are indicative of energy storage systems in which the first electrode functions as an anode during discharge.
• Second electrodes comprising compounds listed below the Li x S y dotted line are indicati ve of energy storage systems in which the first electrode functions as a cathode during dischai'ge.
• the materials listed in Fig. 3 are included as examples for illustrative purposes. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those shown.
• the second electrode is an anode and comprises
• Li For first electrodes comprising a liquid solution., wherein the LLS V is soluble, multiple electron transfer can occur,
• the redox chemistry of the energy storage system can be represented by liquation 1 below, wherein the cathode comprises sulfur.
• While y can be between approximately 1 and approximately 8, for y values between 3 and 8, the LLSy tends to be soluble in most organic solvents. Different compositions can correspond to different discharge products that form at different depths of discharge. Depending on operating parameters, different x and y values will be associated with different capacities and operation voltages. For example, if only soluble poiysuiiide is preferred in a device, then the voltage window might be between 2.2 V and 3.0 V because above 2.1 V the precipitation of solid discharge products ( and/or Li?S ⁇ will typically not have occurred.
• so!ube polysulflde species including Lij g, LjSe, Li?S ,Li23 ⁇ 4 will be formed first during the discharge process of Li-S batteries. Even if the discharge process is stopped at 2. IV, ihese soluble polysu!fides can penetrate the separator and diffuse into the anode, or negative electrode volume, then react with lithium to form insoluble Li?3 ⁇ 4 and Li 2 S. In some embodiments, these soluble polysiilfides (including LijSg, L>S ⁇ ; , Li 2 S ,Li2S3 . ) are pumped out of the cathode, or positive electrode volume, before they can diffuse to the anode, or negative electrode volume, to form insoluble L1 2 S 2 and Lf>S.
• a condensed-phase fluid comprising l.i?S v can be prepared from soluble poiysulfldes.
• a conventional electrolyte comprising 1 M lithium bis(trit]uoromethane)sulfonamide (LiTFSi) in a mixture of 1 , 3-dioxolane (DOL) and dimethyoxyethane (DME) (1 : 1 by volume) for Li-S batteries
• poiysulfldes can form in- situ during discharge and flow out through the current collector, in another example, polysuifide can be formed chemically by the reaction of Li 2 S and Sg in certain basic aprofic organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dimethyl sulfoxide ( SO).
• THF tetrahydrofuran
• SO dimethyl sulfoxide
• the reaction can be described by the equation (2n/m-i )LH-S y 2' ;:: (n/m)S n ' t (2n/m-l )i,i .
• a supporting electrolyte comprising LiAsF can be dissolved in THF first.
• a stoichiometric amount of sulfur and Li S can be added to the LiAsF ⁇ -THF solution to form Li 2 S Y solutions of the required concentration and average poly sulfide chain length.
• the reaction and dissolution is usually completed after 24 hrs.
• the condensed-phase fluid comprising Li .3 ⁇ 4 S v can be prepared in-siiu (i.e.. during or after assembly of an energy storage system) from a soiid- phase sulfur species.
• a sulfur-containing electrode/current collector can be prepared, which will yield a carbon current collector and condensed-phase fluid comprising Li>Sy when operated (i.e., during first discharge) in an energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention.
• Preparation of the electrode involves dissolving sulfur in carbon disulfide to yield a solution into which carbon felt is immersed. The felt is removed, dried, and heat, treated to yield a carbon fel having solid sulfur embedded on surfaces and pores of the felt.
• the condensed-phase fluid comprising Li x S y can be formed in situ by arranging the sulfur-containing electrode/current collector into an energy storage system. Addition of a liquid eleciroiyte that reacts with the embedded sulfur to form Li x S y results in a condensed -phase fluid electrode, while the carbon felt functions as a current collector.
• 0027 Referring to Fig. 4, a graph containing cycling data for an energy storage system is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• the energy storage system comprised a carbon felt having sulfur embedded on surfaces and pores of the felt and was prepared as described above.
• an electrode comprising a sulfur-containing suspension, or other non- solution condensed-phase fluid can yield an intermediate discharge sulfur product that is soluble.
• S and LijS can be dissolved in THF containing LiAsF ti to yield a liquid solution electrode when a voltage is applied.

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• 2012
  • 2012-03-28 US US13/432,166 patent/US9406960B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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