Semi-solid electrodes having high rate capability
Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having high rate capability, and more particularly to devices, systems and methods of producing high capacity and high rate capability batteries having relatively thick semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes an anode, a semi-solid cathode that includes a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte, and an ion permeable membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode. The semi-solid cathode has a thickness in the range of about 250 μm-2,500 μm, and the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 5 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/2.
1. An electrochemical cell comprising:
an anode;
a semi-solid cathode including a suspension of about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material and about 1% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte; and
an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode;
wherein the semi-solid cathode has a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 8 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 9 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
4. The electrochemical cell of claim 3 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 10 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
5. The electrochemical cell of claim 3 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 50% to about 75% by volume.
6. The electrochemical cell of claim 4 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 60% to about 75% by volume.
7. The electrochemical cell of claim 3 , wherein the semi-solid cathode suspension has a mixing index of at least about 0.8.
8. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 , wherein the semi-solid cathode suspension has a mixing index of at least about 0.9.
9. The electrochemical cell of claim 8 , wherein the semi-solid cathode suspension has a mixing index of at least about 0.95.
10. An electrochemical cell comprising:
a semi-solid anode including a suspension of about 40% to about 75% by volume of a first active material in a first non-aqueous liquid electrolyte;
a semi-solid cathode including a suspension of about 35% to about 75% by volume of a second active material and about 1% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a second non-aqueous liquid electrolyte; and
an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the semi-solid anode and the semi-solid cathode;
wherein the semi-solid anode and the semi-solid cathode each have a thickness in the range of about 250 μm, to about 2,000 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
11. The electrochemical cell of claim 10 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 0% to about 10% by volume of a conductive material.
12. The electrochemical cell of claim 11 , wherein the conductive material in the semi-solid anode is about 0.5% to about 2% by volume.
13. The electrochemical cell of claim 12 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 8 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
14. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 9 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
15. The electrochemical cell of claim 14 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 10 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
16. The electrochemical cell of claim 12 , wherein the semi-solid anode suspension and/or the semi-solid cathode suspension has a mixing index of at least about 0.8.
17. The electrochemical cell of claim 16 , wherein the semi-solid anode suspension and/or the semi-solid cathode suspension has a mixing index of at least about 0.9.
18. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the semi-solid anode suspension and/or the semi-solid cathode suspension has a mixing index of at least about 0.95.
19. An electrochemical cell comprising
an anode;
a semi-solid cathode including a suspension of about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material and about 1% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte; and
an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode;
wherein the semi-solid cathode has a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/2.
20. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the semi-solid cathode has a mixing index of at least about 0.8.
21. The electrochemical cell of claim 20 , wherein the semi-solid cathode has a mixing index of at least about 0.9.
22. The electrochemical cell of claim 21 , wherein the semi-solid cathode has a mixing index of at least about 0.95.
23. The electrochemical cell of claim 21 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 8 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/2.
24. An electrochemical cell comprising:
a semi-solid anode including a suspension of a first active material in a first non-aqueous liquid electrolyte;
a semi-solid cathode including a suspension of about 35% to about 75% by volume of a second active material and about 1% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a second non-aqueous liquid electrolyte; and
an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the semi-solid anode and the semi-solid cathode,
wherein the semi-solid anode and the semi-solid cathode each have a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/2.
25. The electrochemical cell of claim 24 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes 40% to about 75% by volume of the first active material.
26. The electrochemical cell of claim 24 , wherein the semi-solid anode and/or the semi-solid cathode has a mixing index of at least about 0.8.
27. The electrochemical cell of claim 24 , wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.