Advanced cathode materials for long-life lithium-ion batteries
A cathode is provided that includes a catholyte material and cathode active material particles. The cathode active material particles include an electrically conductive core and a cathode active material. The electrically conductive core is formed of an electrically conductive material. The cathode active material is disposed on a surface of the electrically conductive core.
1 . A cathode comprising:
a catholyte material including at least one of: a solid electrolyte material, a blended radical polymer poly(4-glycidyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) with poly(poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate), and a blended poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate with polyethylene oxide; and
a plurality of cathode active material particles each comprising a core and a cathode active material disposed on a surface of the core,
the core being formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of: a carbon material, a polymer that includes an aromatic cycle, and a polymer having at least one double bond, and
the cathode active material including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a lithium transition metal oxide, a lithium olivine-type material, and a sulfur material.
2 . The cathode according to claim 1 , wherein
the core is formed of the carbon material.
3 . The cathode according to claim 1 , wherein
the cathode active material is disposed directly on the surface of the core for each of the plurality of cathode active material particles.
4 . The cathode according to claim 1 , further comprising
less than 1% by weight of a carbon additive relative to a total weight of the cathode, the carbon additive being provided external to each of the plurality of cathode active material particles.
5 . The cathode according to claim 4 , wherein
the core includes a functional group configured to bond to the cathode active material.
6 . The cathode according to claim 1 , wherein
the core has a shape selected from the group consisting of: a sphere, a three-dimensional star, a cylinder, a shape having three-dimensional needle projections, a fiber shape, a sponge, a hexagonal prism, a hexagonal prismatic honeycomb sphere, an irregular shape, and combinations thereof.
7 . A battery comprising:
a cathode;
an anode; and
an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte including a first solid state electrolyte material,
the cathode comprising:
a catholyte material including at least one of: a second solid electrolyte material, a blended radical polymer poly(4-glycidyloxy-2.2.6.6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) with poly(poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate), and a blended poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate with polyethylene oxide; and
a plurality of cathode active material particles each comprising a core and a cathode active material disposed on a surface of the core,
the core being formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of: a carbon material, a polymer that includes an aromatic cycle, and a polymer having at least one double bond, and
the cathode active material including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a lithium transition metal oxide, a lithium olivine-type material, and a sulfur material.
8 . The battery according to claim 7 , wherein
the catholyte material is formed of the second solid state electrolyte material, and
the catholyte material has a smaller particle size than the first solid state electrolyte material.
9 . The battery according to claim 7 , wherein
the core is formed of the carbon material.
10 . The battery according to claim 7 , wherein
the cathode active material is disposed directly on the surface of the core for each of the plurality of cathode active material particles.
11 . The battery according to claim 10 , wherein
the catholyte material is provided on a surface of each of the plurality of cathode active material particles.
12 . The battery according to claim 7 , wherein the cathode further comprises
less than 1% by weight of a carbon additive relative to a total weight of the cathode, the carbon additive being provided external to each of the plurality of cathode active material particles.
13 . The battery according to claim 12 , wherein
the cathode does not include any of the carbon additive.
14 . A battery comprising:
a cathode;
an anode; and
an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte including a first solid state electrolyte material,
the cathode including a plurality of cathode active material particles each comprising:
a catholyte material core formed of at least one of: a second solid electrolyte material, a blended radical polymer poly(4-glycidyloxy-2.2.6.6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) with poly(poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate), and a blended poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate with polyethylene oxide; and
a cathode active material disposed on a surface of the catholyte material core, the cathode active material including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a lithium transition metal oxide. a lithium olivine-type material, and a sulfur material.
15 . The battery according to claim 14 , wherein
each of the plurality of cathode active material particles further comprises a material coated on a surface of the cathode active material, the material including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a carbon material, a polymer that includes an aromatic cycle, and a polymer having at least one double bond.
16 . The battery according to claim 15 , further comprising
a separator disposed between the cathode and the electrolyte, wherein:
the catholyte material core is formed of the second solid state electrolyte material and the second solid state electrolyte material is a same material as the first solid state electrolyte material.
17 . The battery according to claim 14 , wherein
the cathode active material does not completely cover the surface of the catholyte material core for each of the plurality of cathode active material particles.