METHODS OF APPLYING PRINTABLE LITHIUM COMPOSITIONS FOR FORMING BATTERY ELECTRODES
A method for depositing lithium on a substrate to form an electrode is provided. The method includes applying a printable lithium composition comprised of lithium metal powder, a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder, a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powder and a solvent compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder, to a substrate.
1 . A method for forming an anode for a solid-state battery, the method comprising applying to the anode a monolithic coating of a printable lithium composition comprised on a solution basis:
a) 10 to 50 percent of lithium metal powder;
b) 0.1 to 20 percent of a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder wherein the polymer binder is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated elastomers, saturated elastomers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinyl acetate;
c) 0.1 to 30 percent of a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powder and;
d) 50 to 95 percent of a non-polar solvent compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder wherein the non-polar solvent is selected from the group consisting of acyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying monolithic coating of the printable lithium composition to the anode comprises printing the printable lithium composition onto the anode with a slot die print head.
3 . The method of claim 2 further including loading the printable lithium composition to the slot die print head.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the printable lithium composition to the anode as a monolithic coating comprises extruding the printable lithium composition onto the anode.
5 . A method for depositing lithium on a solid electrolyte to form a solid-state battery, the method comprising printing a printable lithium composition using a slot die print head onto the solid electrolyte, the printable lithium composition comprised on a solution basis;
a) 10 to 50 percent of lithium metal powder;
b) 0.1 to 20 percent of a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder wherein the polymer binder is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated elastomers, saturated elastomers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinyl acetate;
c) 0.1 to 30 percent of a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powders and;
d) 50 to 95 percent of a nonpolar solvent compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder, wherein the non-polar solvent is selected from the group consisting of acyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons.