Battery electrode with metal particles and pyrolyzed coating
A method is provided for forming a metal battery electrode with a pyrolyzed coating. The method provides a metallorganic compound of metal (Me) and materials such as carbon (C), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and combinations of the above-listed materials, expressed as Me X C Y N Z S XX O YY , where Me is a metal such as tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), or lead (Pb), or a metal alloy. The method heats the metallorganic compound, and as a result of the heating, decomposes materials in the metallorganic compound. In one aspect, decomposing the materials in the metallorganic compound includes forming a chemical reaction between the Me particles and the materials. An electrode is formed of Me particles coated by the materials. In another aspect, the Me particles coated with a material such as a carbide, a nitride, a sulfide, or combinations of the above-listed materials.
1. A battery electrode comprising:
metal (Me) particles selected from a group consisting of metals and metal alloys;
a pyrolyzed coating formed over the Me particles, formed from materials selected from the group consisting of carbon (C), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and combinations of the above-listed materials, expressed as C Y N Z S XX O YY ;
where Y is greater than 0;
where Z is greater than or equal to 0;
where XX is greater than or equal to 0; and,
where YY is greater than or equal to 0.
2. The battery electrode of claim 1 wherein the materials are selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a nitride, a sulfide, and combinations of the above-listed materials.
3. The battery electrode of claim 1 wherein the Me particles are selected from the group consisting of tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), and combinations of the above-listed metals.
4. The battery electrode of claim 1 wherein at least one variable selected from the group consisting of Z, XX , and YY is greater than zero.
5. A battery comprising:
an electrolyte;
an ion-permeable membrane;
a cathode;
an anode comprising:
metal (Me) particles selected from a group consisting of metals and metal alloys;
a pyrolyzed coating formed over the Me particles, formed from materials selected from the group consisting of carbon (C), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and combinations of the above-listed materials, expressed as C Y N Z S XX O YY ;
where Y is greater than 0;
where Z is greater than or equal to 0;
where XX is greater than or equal to 0; and,
where YY is greater than or equal to 0.
6. The battery of claim 5 wherein the materials are selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a nitride, a sulfide, and combinations of the above-listed materials.
7. The battery of claim 5 wherein the Me particles are selected from the group consisting of tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), and combinations of the above-listed metals.
8. The battery of claim 5 wherein at least one variable selected from the group consisting of Z, XX , and YY is greater than zero.
9. A battery electrode comprising:
metal (Me) particles selected from a group consisting of metals and metal alloys;
a pyrolyzed coating chemically bonded to the Me particles, formed from materials selected from the group consisting of carbon (C), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and combinations of the above-listed materials, expressed as C Y N Z S XX O YY ;
where Y is greater than 0;
where X is greater than or equal to 0;
where XX is greater than or equal to 0; and,
where YY is greater than or equal to 0.
10. The battery electrode of claim 9 wherein the materials are selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a nitride, a sulfide, and combinations of the above-listed materials.
11. The battery electrode of claim 9 wherein the Me particles are selected from the group consisting of tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), and combinations of the above-listed metals.
12. The battery electrode of claim 9 wherein at least one variable selected from the group consisting of Z, XX , and YY is greater than zero.