Sandwich electrodes and methods of making the same
In some embodiments, an electrode can include a first and second conductive layer. At least one of the first and second conductive layers can include porosity configured to allow electrolyte to flow therethrough. The electrode can also include an electrochemically active layer having electrochemically active material sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers. The electrochemically active layer can be in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers.
1. An electrode comprising:
a first conductive layer;
a second conductive layer, at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprising porosity configured to allow an electrolyte to flow therethrough;
a first electrochemically active layer comprising electrochemically active material sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers, wherein the first electrochemically active layer is in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers;
a third conductive layer; and
a second electrochemically active layer comprising electrochemically active material sandwiched between the third conductive layer and the first or second conductive layer.
2. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprises foam, mesh, or perforated material.
3. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprises metal.
4. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprises nickel foam.
5. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprises a perforated copper foil.
6. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprises carbon.
7. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprises both the first and second conductive layers.
8. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second electrochemically active layer comprises silicon, germanium, tin, oxide, graphite, or a combination thereof.
9. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second electrochemically active layer comprises a film.
10. The electrode of claim 9 , wherein the film comprises a silicon carbon composite film.
11. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second electrochemically active layer comprises at least about 50% to about 99% by weight of silicon.
12. The electrode of claim 11 , wherein the first and/or second electrochemically active layer comprises the silicon at about 60% to about 99% by weight.
13. The electrode of claim 12 , wherein the first and/or second electrochemically active layer comprises the silicon at about 70% to about 99% by weight.
14. The electrode of claim 13 , wherein the first and/or second electrochemically active layer comprises the silicon at about 80% to about 99% by weight.
15. The electrode of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment substance between the first and/or second electrochemically active layer and the first and/or second conductive layer.
16. The electrode of claim 15 , wherein the attachment substance comprises polyamideimide, polyimide resin, polyacrylic acid, or a combination thereof.
17. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the first electrochemically active layer and the second electrochemically active layer comprise the same electrochemically active material.
18. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a negative electrode.
19. An electrochemical cell comprising the electrode of claim 1 .
20. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the electrochemical cell comprises a lithium ion battery.