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 and a semi-solid cathode. The semi-solid cathode includes a suspension of an active material of about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material and about 0.5% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte. An ion-permeable membrane is disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode. The semi-solid cathode has a thickness of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm, and the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4. In some embodiments, the semi-solid cathode slurry has a mixing index of at least about 0.9.
1. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
an anode;
a semi-solid cathode including a suspension of a conductive material and about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active 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 2,500 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 40% to about 75% by volume.
3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 45% to about 75% by volume.
4. The electrochemical cell of claim 3 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 50% to about 75% by volume.
5. The electrochemical cell of claim 4 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 55% to about 75% by volume.
6. The electrochemical cell of claim 5 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 60% to about 75% by volume.
7. The electrochemical cell of claim 6 , wherein the active material in the semi-solid cathode is about 65% to about 75% by volume.
8. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the conductive material in the semi-solid cathode is about 0.6% to about 7.5% by volume.
9. The electrochemical cell of claim 8 , wherein the conductive material in the semi-solid cathode is about 0.7% to about 7% by volume.
10. The electrochemical cell of claim 9 , wherein the conductive material in the semi-solid cathode is about 0.8% to about 6.5% by volume.
11. The electrochemical cell of claim 10 , wherein the conductive material in the semi-solid cathode is about 0.9% to about 6% by volume.
12. The electrochemical cell of claim 11 , wherein the conductive material in the semi-solid cathode is about 1% to about 6% by volume.
13. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid anode including a suspension of about 35% to about 75% by volume of a first active material and 0% to about 10% by volume of a first conductive 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 0.5% to about 8% by volume of a second 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 2,500 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
14. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 40% to about 75% by volume of the first active material.
15. The electrochemical cell of claim 14 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 45% to about 75% by volume of the first active material.
16. The electrochemical cell of claim 15 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 50% to about 75% by volume of the first active material.
17. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 0.2% to about 9% by volume of the first conductive material.
18. The electrochemical cell of claim 17 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 0.4% to about 8% by volume of the first conductive material.
19. The electrochemical cell of claim 18 , wherein the semi-solid anode includes about 0.5% to about 2% by volume of the first conductive material.
20. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
an anode;
a cathode including a suspension of about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material and about 0.5% 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 cathode,
wherein, the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,500 μm, and
wherein the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 7 mAh/cm 2 at a C-rate of C/4.
21. The electrochemical cell of claim 20 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 600 μm.
22. The electrochemical cell of claim 21 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 300 μm to about 600 μm.
23. The electrochemical cell of claim 22 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 350 μm to about 600 μm.
24. The electrochemical cell of claim 23 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 400 μm to about 600 μm.
25. The electrochemical cell of claim 24 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about 450 μm to about 600 μm.