Battery cells with lithium ion conducting tape-cast ceramic, glass and glass-ceramic membranes
Alkali (or other active) metal battery and other electrochemical cells incorporating active metal anodes together with aqueous cathode/electrolyte systems. The battery cells have a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal anode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the anode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or cathode material in conjunction with the anode. Also, optimization of electrolytes or cathode-side solvent systems may be done without impacting anode stability or performance. In particular, Li/water, Li/air and Li/metal hydride cells, components, configurations and fabrication techniques are provided.
1. A method of making an electrochemical cell structure, the method comprising:
tape-casting an inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane selected from the group consisting of a glass, a ceramic and a glass-ceramic, the membrane having a first surface and a second surface; and
assembling the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane with a lithium-containing anode adjacent to the first surface;
wherein the membrane effectively isolates the lithium-containing anode from an environment at the second surface of the membrane, while allowing transport of lithium ions across the membrane, the membrane having a lithium ion conductivity of at least 10 −6 S/cm.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is selected from the group consisting of a glass and a glass-ceramic.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is a ceramic.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein following the tape-casting, the ceramic is fired to full density.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell structure further comprises a porous support structure on which the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is disposed.
6. An electrochemical cell structure, comprising:
a tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane selected from the group consisting of a glass, a ceramic and a glass-ceramic, the membrane having a first surface and a second surface; and
a lithium-containing anode on the first surface of the membrane;
wherein the membrane effectively isolates the lithium-containing anode from an environment at the second surface of the membrane, while allowing transport of lithium ions across the membrane, the membrane having a lithium ion conductivity of at least 10 −6 S/cm.
7. The electrochemical cell structure of claim 6 , wherein the inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is selected from the group consisting of a glass and a glass-ceramic.
8. The electrochemical cell structure of claim 6 , wherein the inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is a ceramic.
9. The electrochemical cell structure of claim 8 , wherein the ceramic is dense.
10. The electrochemical cell structure of claim 6 , wherein the electrochemical cell structure further comprises a porous support structure on which the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is disposed.
11. A battery cell comprising:
a tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane selected from the group consisting of a glass, a ceramic and a glass-ceramic, the membrane having a first surface and a second surface;
a lithium-containing anode on the first surface of the membrane; and
a cathode environment comprising a cathode adjacent the second surface of the membrane;
wherein the membrane effectively isolates the lithium-containing anode from the cathode environment, while allowing transport of lithium ions across the membrane, the membrane having a lithium ion conductivity of at least 10 −6 S/cm.
12. The battery cell of claim 11 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is selected from the group consisting of a glass and a glass-ceramic.
13. The battery cell of claim 11 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is a ceramic.
14. The battery cell of claim 13 , wherein the ceramic is dense.
15. The battery cell of claim 11 , wherein the battery cell further comprises a porous support structure on which the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is disposed.
16. A method of making a lithium battery cell, the method comprising:
tape-casting an inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane selected from the group consisting of a glass, a ceramic and a glass-ceramic; and
assembling the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane-between an anode and a cathode;
wherein the membrane allows transport of lithium ions, the membrane having lithium ion conductivity of at least 10 −5 S/cm.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is selected from the group consisting of a glass and a glass-ceramic.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is a ceramic.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the ceramic is dense.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the battery cell further comprises a porous support structure on which the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is disposed.
21. A lithium battery cell, comprising:
an anode;
a cathode; and
a tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane selected from the group consisting of a glass, a ceramic and a glass-ceramic, the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode;
wherein the membrane allows transport of lithium ions, the membrane having lithium ion conductivity of at least 10 −5 S/cm.
22. The battery cell of claim 21 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is selected from the group consisting of a glass and a glass-ceramic.
23. The battery cell of claim 21 , wherein the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is a ceramic.
24. The battery cell of claim 23 , wherein the ceramic is dense.
25. The battery cell of claim 21 , wherein the battery cell further comprises a porous support structure on which the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane is disposed.