EP0130049A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coatings for electrochemical electrodes and methods of making the same
Assignee: Air Liquide Advanced Materials Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-06-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a coating for electrodes for use in electrochemical cells having an electrochemically active species and an electrolyte. The coating includes a selectively permeable material which allows for the diffusion of the active species through the coating during operation ofthe cell while providing a substantially impervious barrierto the electrolyte. Electrodes utilizing the coatings described herein may be used in primary and secondary cells over a wide range of operating temperatures to delivery better electrochemical performance even at room temperature. Methods of making the coating and an apparatus for performing these methods on a continuous basis are included in the present invention. A novel composition of matter also is contemplated containing lithium, silicon, and fluorine prepared by exposing lithium metal to SiF 4 .
Inventors
- 👤 John Peter Deneufville
- 👤 Dalbir Rajoria
- 👤 Stanford Robert Ovshinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/02; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/13; H01M10/00; H01M10/36; H01M4/24; H01M4/242; H01M4/36; H01M4/362; H01M4/364; H01M4/38; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/027; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0002; H01M2300/0005; H01M2300/0014; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/002; H01M2300/0025; H01M2300/0048; H01M4/04; H01M4/0402; H01M4/0404; H01M4/383; H01M4/64; H01M4/66; H01M4/661; H01M4/663; H01M4/669; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/46; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A coating for an electrode which electrochemically releases an active species to an electrolyte, said coating characterized by a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of said active species through the coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A coating for an electrode which electrochemically releases an active species to an electrolyte, said coating characterized by a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of said active species through the coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said active species being selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising said active species and at least one electronegative element selected from the group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said active species being lithium and said electronegative element being iodine or nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising means for increasing the diffusion of said active species through said coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A coating according to claim 5, further characterized by said means comprises an electropositive element, incorporated in said selectively permeable material, said electropositive element being selected from a group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and being different from said active species.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising carbon or at least one amphoteric element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A coating according to claim 7, further characterized by said amphoteric element being selected from the group consisting of silicon, boron, aluminum, phosphorus, arsenic, and zinc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said active species being lithium, said electronegative element being fluorine, and said amphoteric element being silicon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A coating according to claim 1, further characterized by said coating being compositionally disordered to enhance diffusion of said active species through said coating while providing a substantially impervious barrier to said electrolyte, and wherein said disordered coating being selected from a group consisting of amorphous, microcrystalline, polycrystalline, and a mixture of any combination of these structures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell having an electrochemically active species and an electrolyte, said electrode characterized by : means for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons; a surface adapted to be operatively associated with said electrolyte in the cell; and a coating on said surface, said coating including a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of said active species through the coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell having an electrochemically active species and an electrolyte, said electrode characterized by : means for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons; a surface adapted to be operatively associated with said electrolyte in the cell; and a coating on said surface, said coating including a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of said active species through the coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrode according to claim 11, further characterized by said electrode comprising an active species, said active species being selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrode according to claim 11, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising an active species and at least one electronegative element selected from a group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode according to claim 13, further characterized by said active species being lithium and said electronegative element being iodine or nitrogen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrode according to claim 11, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising means for increasing the diffusion of said active species through said coating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrode according to claim 15, further characterized by said means comprising an electropositive element, incorporated in said selectively permeable material, said electropositive element being selected from a group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and being different from said active species.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode according to claim 11, further characterized by said permeable material further comprising carbon or at least one amphoteric element selected from a group consisting of silicon, boron, aluminum, phosphorus, arsenic, and zinc.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode according to claim 17, further characterized by said amphoteric element being silicon, said active species being lithium, and said electronegative element being fluorine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electrochemical cell having an electrochemically active species; anode means for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons, said anode means having an operative surface; cathode means for providing diffusion of said active species between said anode means and said cathode means during operation of the cell, said cathode means operatively contacting said surface through a coating, said cathode means including an electrolyte; and a coating on said surface; said coating characterized by: a selectively permeable material which diffuses said active species through said coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electrochemical cell having an electrochemically active species; anode means for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons, said anode means having an operative surface; cathode means for providing diffusion of said active species between said anode means and said cathode means during operation of the cell, said cathode means operatively contacting said surface through a coating, said cathode means including an electrolyte; and a coating on said surface; said coating characterized by: a selectively permeable material which diffuses said active species through said coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said coating further allowing reversible diffusion of said active species through the coating from the electrolyte to the electrode so that the cell is rechargeable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said electrolyte comprising a salt of said active species and a solvent selected from a group consisting of water, butyrolactone, dimethyl formamide, ethylene carbonate, methyl formate, sulfolane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane, dimethoxyethane, and propylene carbonate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said cathode means comprising a counter electrode spaced apart from said anode, said counter electrode including a cathodic reactant.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said cathode means comprising a current collector spaced apart from said anode, said electrolyte including a cathodic reactant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said active species being selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising said active species and at least one electronegative element selected from a group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 25, further characterized by said active species being lithium, and said electronegative element being iodine or nitrogen.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising means for increasing the diffusion of said active species through said coating; wherein said means comprises an electropositive element, incorporated in said selectively permeable material, said electropositive element being selected from a group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and being different from said active species.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising carbon or at least one amphoteric element selected from a group consisting of silicon, boron, aluminum, phosphorus, arsenic, and zinc.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 28, further characterized by said metal species being lithium, said electronegative element being fluorine and said amphoteric element being silicon.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electrochemical cell according to claim 19, further characterized by said coating being compositionally disordered, said disordered coating being selected from a group consisting of amorphous, microcrystalline, polycrystalline, and a mixture of any combination of these structures, to enhance diffusion of said active species through said coating while providing a substantially impervious barrier to said electrolyte.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery further characterized by a plurality of electrochemical cells according to claim 19.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
8 words
A method of making an electrode for use
Claim 36
Independent Claim
8 words
A method of making an electrode for use
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
98 words
in an electrochemical cell having an electrochemically active species and an electrolyte, said method characterized by: providing an electrode means for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons, said electrode having a surface adapted to be operatively associated with said electrolyte in the cell; and applying a coating to said electrode surface, said coating including a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of said active species through the coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to said electrolyte.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
98 words
in an electrochemical cell having an electrochemically active species and an electrolyte, said method characterized by: providing an electrode means for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons, said electrode having a surface adapted to be operatively associated with said electrolyte in the cell; and applying a coating to said electrode surface, said coating including a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of said active species through the coating during operation of the cell while providing a substantially impervious barrier to said electrolyte.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating includes preparing a solution of said selectively permeable material in a solute, applying said solution to said electrode surface, and depositing said selectively permeable material onto said electrode surface to form said coating.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 33, further characterized by said step of depositing said selectively permeable material includes drying said solute from said solution to leave said selectively permeable material as said coating on said electrode surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 33, further characterized by said step of depositing said se- , lectively permeable material includes plating said selectively permeable material on said electrode surface by subjecting said electrode to an electrical bias so as to reactively electroplate said coating.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 33, further characterized by said step of depositing said selectively permeable material includes chemically reacting said selectively permeable material with said electrode surface to form said coating.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating includes adding said selectively permeable material to said electrolyte, placing said electrode surface in operative contact with said electrolyte, and depositing said selectively permeable material onto said electrode surface to form said coating.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 37, further characterized by said step of depositing said selectively permeable material includes chemically reacting said selectively permeable material with said electrode surface to form said coating.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 37, further characterized by said step of depositing said selectively permeable material includes plating said selectively permeable material on said electrode surface by subjecting said electrode to an electrical bias so as to reactively electroplate said coating.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating includes depositing said selectively permeable material onto said electrode surface in a vapor deposition environment and including a technique selected from a group consisting of sputtering, reactive sputtering, co-sputtering, reactive co-sputtering, glow decomposition, vacuum evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and reactive chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating, applied successively to provide a coating of increased thickness, includes melting said selectively permeable material, depositing said selectively permeable material onto said electrode surface, and rapidly quenching said selectively permeable material.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating includes forming said coating with a structure selected from the group consisting of amorphous, microcrystalline, polycrystalline, and a mixture of any combination of these structures.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said electrode further comprising an active species, said active species being selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising an active species and at least one electronegative element selected from a group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 44, further characterized by said active species being lithium and said electronegative element being iodine or nitrogen.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising means for increasing the diffusion of said active species through said coating, said means comprising an electropositive element being selected from a group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, incorporated in said selectively permeable material, and being different from said active species.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 46, further characterized by said selectively permeable material comprising carbon or at least one amphoteric element selected from a group consisting of silicon, boron, aluminum, phosphorus, arsenic, and zinc.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 46, further characterized by said active species being lithium, said electronegative element being fluorine and said amphoteric element being silicon.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating includes sputtering lithium onto said electrode surface in an atmosphere containing at least a partial pressure of iodine or nitrogen or a compound thereof.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 32, further characterized by said step of applying said coating includes exposing said electrode surface to SiF 4 , said active species being lithium, so as to deposit said coating onto said electrode surface by reactive chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 51, further characterized by said exposing step uses 18% SiF 4 mixed with argon gas at a temperature of about 125°C.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for making an electrode for use in an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte, said electrode made from a roll of a web of substrate with one or more electrode-forming regions thereon, said apparatus characterized by: means for unrolling said substrate substantially continuously into an application chamber, said chamber including at least one depositing region therein; means for depositing a coating onto at least some of said one or more electrode-forming regions, said coating comprising a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of an electrochemically active species through the coating during electrochemical release of the active species from the electrode while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte, said depositing means being positioned in said application chamber.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for making an electrode for use in an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte, said electrode made from a roll of a web of substrate with one or more electrode-forming regions thereon, said apparatus characterized by: means for unrolling said substrate substantially continuously into an application chamber, said chamber including at least one depositing region therein; means for depositing a coating onto at least some of said one or more electrode-forming regions, said coating comprising a selectively permeable material which allows diffusion of an electrochemically active species through the coating during electrochemical release of the active species from the electrode while providing a substantially impervious barrier to the electrolyte, said depositing means being positioned in said application chamber.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 52, further characterized by said depositing means comprising a solution, positioned in said application chamber to operatively contact said electrode- forming regions, said solution includes said selectively permeable material and a solute.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 52 or 53, further characterized by said depositing means comprising means for drying said solute from said solution to leave said selectively permeable material as said coating on said electrodeforming regions.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 52 or 53, further characterized by said depositing means comprising means for plating said selectively permeable material on said electrode- forming regions by subjecting said electrode-forming region to an electrical bias so as to reactively electroplate said coating.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 52 or 53, further characterized by said depositing means comprising means for chemically reacting said selectively permeable material with said electrode surface to form said coating.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 52, further characterized by said depositing means includes means for melting said selectively permeable material, means for depositing said selectively permeable material onto said electrode- forming regions, and means for rapidly quenching said selectively permeable material.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 52, further characterized by said depositing means comprises means for evacuating said application chamber and means for depositing said selectively permeable material onto said electrode-forming regions by vapor deposition selected from a group consisting of sputtering, reactive sputtering, co-sputtering, reactive co-sputtering, glow decomposition, vacuum evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and reactive chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter characterized by the elements lithium, fluorine, and silicon; exhibiting characteristic absorption bands in the infrared region of the spectrum at the frequencies expressed in reciprocal centimeters according to Fig. 5 and the X-ray diffraction pattern according to Fig. 6.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composition of matter characterized by the elements lithium, fluorine, and silicon; exhibiting characteristic absorption bands in the infrared region of the spectrum at the frequencies expressed in reciprocal centimeters according to Fig. 5 and the X-ray diffraction pattern according to Fig. 6.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter characterized by exposing lithium metal to a gaseous mixture of 18% SiF 4 in argon at one atmosphere and at a temperature of 125°C.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition of matter characterized by exposing lithium metal to a gaseous mixture of 18% SiF 4 in argon at one atmosphere and at a temperature of 125°C.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition of matter characterized by exposing potassium or sodium to a gaseous mixture of 18% SiF 4 in argon at one atmosphere and at a temperature of 125°C.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition of matter characterized by exposing potassium or sodium to a gaseous mixture of 18% SiF 4 in argon at one atmosphere and at a temperature of 125°C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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