Asymmetric battery having a semi-solid cathode and high energy density anode
Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices, systems and methods of producing high energy density batteries having a semi-solid cathode that is thicker than the anode. An electrochemical cell can include a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector and an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a first distance from the positive electrode current collector and at least partially defines a positive electroactive zone. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a second distance from the negative electrode current collector and at least partially defines a negative electroactive zone. The second distance is less than the first distance. A semi-solid cathode that includes a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte is disposed in the positive electroactive zone, and an anode is disposed in the negative electroactive zone.
1. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid cathode having a thickness in the range of about 250 μm to about 2,000 μm;
an anode having a capacity in the range of about 700 mAh/g to about 1,200 mAh.g and a thickness in the range of about 30 μm to about 600 μm; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode.
2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the anode includes a lithium-alloy-forming compound including at least one of tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum, and titanium oxide.
3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the lithium-alloy-forming compound includes silicon.
4. The electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the lithium-alloy-forming compound includes tin.
5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is in the range of about 3 to about 6 times the thickness of the anode.
6. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the liquid electrolyte is a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte.
7. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the anode is a semi-solid anode including a suspension of an anode active material in a liquid electrolyte.
8. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 , wherein the liquid electrolyte in the semi-solid anode is a non-porous liquid electrolyte.
9. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
as anode;
a semi-solid cathode including an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode,
wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about two times the thickness of the anode.
10. The electrochemical cell of claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about three times the thickness of the anode.
11. The electrochemical cell of claim 10 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about four times the thickness of the anode.
12. The electrochemical cell of claim 11 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is at least about five times the thickness of the anode.
13. The electrochemical cell of claim 9 , wherein the anode is a semi-solid anode including a carbonaceous active material, a high energy capacity anode material, and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte.
14. The electrochemical cell of claim 13 , wherein the high capacity anode material includes at least one of tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum, and titanium oxide.
15. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid cathode having a thickness;
an anode including a high charge capacity material and having an overall capacity in the range of about 700 mAh/g to about 1,200 mAh/g, the anode having a thickness in the range of about 20% to about 25% of the cathode thickness; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode.
16. The electrochemical cell of claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the cathode is in the range of about 300 μm to about 600 μm.
17. The electrochemical cell of claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the anode is in the range of about 60 μm to about 150 μm.
18. The electrochemical cell of claim 15 , wherein the high capacity material includes at least one of tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum, and titanium oxide.
19. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
a semi-solid cathode;
an anode including a high charge capacity material and having a thickness in the range of about 30 μm to about 600 μm; and
a separator disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode,
wherein the cathode has a thickness of at least about two times the anode thickness.
20. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the anode has a thickness in the range of about 40 μm to about 600 μm.
21. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about two to about five times the thickness of the anode.
22. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the cathode has a thickness in the range of about three to six times the thickness of the anode.
23. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the anode is a semi-solid anode.
24. The electrochemical cell of claim 19 , wherein the high charge capacity material includes at least one of tin, tin alloys, silicon, silicon alloys, antimony, aluminum and titanium oxide.