Asymmetric battery having a semi-solid cathode and high energy density anode
Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices, systems and methods of producing high energy density batteries having a semi-solid cathode that is thicker than the anode. An electrochemical cell can include a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector and an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a first distance from the positive electrode current collector and at least partially defines a positive electroactive zone. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a second distance from the negative electrode current collector and at least partially defines a negative electroactive zone. The second distance is less than the first distance. A semi-solid cathode that includes a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte is disposed in the positive electroactive zone, and an anode is disposed in the negative electroactive zone.
1. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid cathode including a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte, the semi-solid cathode having a capacity of about 150 mAh/g to about 200 mAh/g and a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm;
an anode having a capacity in the range of about 700 mAh/g to about 1,200 mAh/g and a thickness in the range of about 30 μm to about 600 μm; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode.
2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the anode includes a lithium-alloy-forming compound including at least one of tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum and titanium oxide.
3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the lithium-alloy-forming compound includes silicon.
4. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the lithium-alloy-forming compound includes tin.
5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is in the range of about 3 to about 6 times the thickness of the anode.
6. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the anode is a semi-solid anode including a suspension of an anode active material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte.
7. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
an anode;
a semi-solid cathode including about 40% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 1% to about 6% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 40% by volume of a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode,
wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about two times the thickness of the anode.
8. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about three times the thickness of the anode.
9. The electrochemical cell of claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about four times the thickness of the anode.
10. The electrochemical cell of claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about five times the thickness of the anode.
11. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 , wherein the anode is a solid anode formed on a negative electrode current collector.
12. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 , wherein the anode is a semi-solid anode including about 40% to about 75% by volume of an active material.
13. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid cathode including about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 1% to about 6% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 40% by volume of a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte, the semi-solid cathode having a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm;
an anode including a high charge capacity material and having an overall capacity in the range of about 700 mAh/g to about 1,200 mAh/g, the anode having a thickness in the range of about 20% to about 25% of the cathode thickness; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode.
14. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 300 μm to about 600 μm.
15. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the anode has a thickness in the range of about 60 μm to about 150 μm.
16. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the high charge capacity material includes at least one material selected from tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum and titanium oxide.
17. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid cathode including about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 1% to about 6% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 40% by volume of a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte;
an anode including a high charge capacity material and having an overall capacity in the range of about 700 mAh/g to about 1,200 mAh/g, the anode having a thickness in the range of about 30 μm to about 600 μm; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode,
wherein the cathode has a thickness of at least about 2 times the anode thickness.
18. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the anode has a thickness in the range of about 40 μm to about 600 μm.
19. The electrochemical cell of claim 18 , wherein the anode has a thickness in the range of about 50 μm to about 600 μm.
20. The electrochemical cell of claim 18 , wherein the anode has a thickness in the range of about 70 μm to about 600 μm.
21. The electrochemical cell of claim 18 , wherein the anode has a thickness in the range of about 100 μm to about 600 μm.
22. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 2 to about 5 times the thickness of the anode.
23. The electrochemical cell of claim 22 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 2 to about 4 times the thickness of the anode.
24. The electrochemical cell of claim 23 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 2 to about 3 times the thickness of the anode.
25. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 3 to about 6 times the thickness of the anode.
26. The electrochemical cell of claim 25 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 4 to about 6 times the thickness of the anode.
27. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the anode is a semi-solid anode.
28. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the high charge capacity material includes at least one material selected from tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum and titanium oxide.