BIODEGRADABLE ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF
An electrochemical device is disclosed. The electrochemical device includes an anode and a cathode, and a cured electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode, where at least a portion of the electrolyte composition interpenetrates at least a portion of both the anode and the cathode. A stacked geometry electrochemical device is disclosed. The stacked geometry electrochemical device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and a cured electrolyte composition defining a top surface in contact with the first electrode, a bottom surface in contact with the second electrode, and a peripheral edge not in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. The device also includes a mold wall disposed at the peripheral edge surrounding and contacting the cured electrolyte composition, where at least a portion of the mold wall is transmissible to curing radiation. A method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device is also disclosed.
1 . An electrochemical device, comprising:
an anode;
a cathode; and
a cured electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode; wherein:
at least a portion of the electrolyte composition interpenetrates at least a portion of both the anode and the cathode; and
the cathode and the anode exhibits a stacked geometry.
2 . The electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition is a single layer without an interface.
3 . The electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises a gel polymer electrolyte.
4 . The electrochemical device of claim 3 , wherein the gel polymer electrolyte comprises a hydrogel of a copolymer and a salt dispersed in the hydrogel of a copolymer.
5 . The electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises a biodegradable electrolyte composition.
6 . The electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises an aqueous-based electrolyte composition.
7 . The electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises a non-aqueous electrolyte composition.
8 . The electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises an organic electrolyte composition.
9 . The electrochemical device of claim 7 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition further comprises a lithium salt.
10 . A stacked geometry electrochemical device, comprising:
a first electrode:
a second electrode:
a cured electrolyte composition defining a top surface in contact with the first electrode, a bottom surface in contact with the second electrode, and a peripheral edge not in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode; and
a mold wall disposed at the peripheral edge surrounding and contacting the cured electrolyte composition, wherein at least a portion of the mold wall is transmissible to curing radiation.
11 . The stacked geometry electrochemical device of claim 10 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition is a single layer without an interface.
12 . The stacked geometry electrochemical device of claim 10 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises a gel polymer electrolyte.
13 . The stacked geometry electrochemical device of claim 10 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises a biodegradable, aqueous-based electrolyte composition.
14 . The stacked geometry electrochemical device of claim 10 , wherein the cured electrolyte composition comprises a non-aqueous, organic electrolyte composition.
15 . A method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device, comprising:
employing a mold wall to define a cavity having an open top and a bottom bounded by a first electrode, wherein at least a portion of the mold wall is transmissible to a curing radiation;
filling the cavity with an electrolyte pre-cure composition wherein the first electrode absorbs a first portion of the electrolyte pre-cure composition:
applying a second electrode to cover the top of the cavity filled with the electrolyte pre-cure composition, wherein the second electrode absorbs a second portion of the electrolyte pre-cure composition; and
subjecting the electrolyte pre-cure composition to a curing radiation via the portion of the mold wall transmissible to the curing radiation to initiate crosslinking of the electrolyte pre-cure composition to form a cured electrolyte composition.
16 . The method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device of claim 15 , wherein the curing radiation comprises ultraviolet radiation.
17 . The method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device of claim 15 , wherein the mold wall scatters or internally reflects ultraviolet radiation towards the cavity.
18 . The method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device of claim 15 , wherein the mold wall comprises a source that produces curing radiation.
19 . The method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device of claim 15 , further comprising:
applying a uniform pressure to a top surface of the second electrode prior to subjecting the electrolyte pre-cure composition to the curing radiation;
removing the uniform pressure applied to the top surface of the second electrode after forming the cured electrolyte composition; and
removing the one or more mold walls from the substrate.
20 . The method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device of claim 15 , wherein the electrolyte pre-cure composition comprises a gel polymer electrolyte, comprising a hydrogel of a copolymer and a salt dispersed in the hydrogel of a copolymer.