IP Library Granted Patent US 12,249,690
Granted Patent B2
US 12,249,690 · App. 17/578,240 · Granted Mar 11, 2025

Lithium-sulfur battery electrolyte compositions

Inventors: Ratnakumar Bugga (Arcadia, CA); Jared Christopher Long (Sunnyvale, CA); Jeffrey Bell (Santa Clara, CA); Karel Vanheusden (Woodside, CA)
Assignee: Lyten, Inc.
H01M10/0567H01M4/364H01M4/38H01M4/587H01M10/0525H01M10/0568H01M10/0569H01M2004/021H01M2004/028H01M2300/004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,249,690
App. No.
17/578,240
Granted
Mar 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lithium-sulfur battery including an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte dispersed throughout the lithium-sulfur battery is provided. The anode may output lithium ions. The cathode may be positioned opposite to the anode and have an overall porosity as defined by multiple non-hollow carbon spherical (NHCS) particles joined together to form tubular NHCS particle agglomerate. Pores may be associated with the overall porosity of the cathode and interspersed uniformly throughout the NHCS particles. In some aspects, each pore having a diameter between 1 nm and 10 nm; and each tubular NCHS agglomerate has a length between 5 micrometers (μm) and 35 μm. Interconnected channels defined in shape by the NHCS particles may be joined to each other and the pores, where some interconnected channels may be pre-loaded with an elemental sulfur and retain polysulfides (PS). Retention of the polysulfides may be based on some NHCS particles.

Claims (65)

1. A lithium-sulfur battery comprising:

an anode;

a cathode positioned opposite to the anode, the cathode having an overall porosity between 40% and 70% and comprising:

a plurality of non-hollow carbon spherical (NHCS) particles joined together forming a plurality of tubular NHCS particle agglomerates, each NCHS particle having a diameter between 30 nanometers (nm) and 60 nm and comprising:

a first region adjacent to a center of a respective NHCS particle, the first region having a first density of carbonaceous materials;

a second region adjacent to a surface a respective NHCS particle, the second region encapsulating the first region and formed from a second density of carbonaceous materials lower than the first density of carbonaceous materials, the first region and the second region in fluid communication with each other; and

a plurality of interconnected channels defined in shape by adjacent NHCS particles, at least some interconnected channels configured to be pre-loaded with an elemental sulfur and retain polysulfides (PS) based on one or more of the first density of carbonaceous materials or the second density of carbonaceous materials;

an electrolyte interspersed throughout the cathode and contacting the anode; and

a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode.

2. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 58:28:13 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and tetra ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

3. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and tetrahydrofuran (THF); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

4. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

5. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and tetramethyl urea (TMU); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

6. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and toluene; and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

7. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and dimethyl formamide (DMF); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

8. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and methoxyperfluorobutane (MPB); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

9. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and trifluoroethyl ether (TFE); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

10. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TrigDME); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

11. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

12. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

13. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and acetonitrile (ACN); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

14. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-1-1 (2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) ethane (TFETFE); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

15. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

16. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

17. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and bis(2-methoxyethyl) (DEGDME); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

18. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.1 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 28.71 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 95:5 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL).

19. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.1 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 28.71 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 95:5 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.1 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

20. The lithium-sulfur battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises:

a 0.4 molar (M) solution of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) formed from approximately 114.83 grams of powdered LiTFSI dissolved in 1 liter of a liquid solvent mixture having a 50:25:25 volume ratio of dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), and tetra ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME); and

an additive including 26 grams of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) added to the 0.4 molar (M) solution of LiTFSI to achieve a dilution level of 2 percent by weight of lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ).

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2023
From: BUGGA, RATNAKUMAR; LONG, JARED CHRISTOPHER; BELL, JEFFREY; VANHEUSDEN, KAREL
To: LYTEN, INC.
Reel/Frame 062905/0038 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: BUGGA, RATNAKUMAR; LANNING, BRUCE; STOWELL, MICHAEL W.; GAZDA, JERZY; BELL, JEFFREY; KUMAR, ANURAG
To: LYTEN, INC.
Reel/Frame 058863/0862 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 17563183 · Dec 28, 2021
Continuation In Part 17383803 · Jul 23, 2021
Related Publication 20230031884A1 · Feb 2, 2023
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