Patent US6030720A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6030720A
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US
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Liquid electrolyte lithium-sulfur batteries
Assignee: Polyplus Battery Co Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-10
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Granted: 2000-02-29
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Expires: 2017-10-10
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are electrolyte solvents for ambient-temperature lithium-sulfur batteries. The disclosed solvents include at least one ethoxy repeating unit compound of the general formula R1(CH2CH2O)nR2, where n ranges between 2 and 10 and R1 and R2 are different or identical alkyl or alkoxy groups (including substituted alkyl or alkoxy groups). Alternatively, R1 and R2 may together with (CH2CH2O)n form a closed ring. Examples of linear solvents include the glymes (CH3O(CH2CH2)nCH3). Some electrolyte solvents include a donor or acceptor solvent in addition to an ethoxy compound as described. Examples of donor solvents include hexamethylphosphoramide, pyridine, N,N-diethylacetamide, N,N-diethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetramethylurea, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, tributylphosphate, trimethylphosphate, N,N,N',N'-tetraethylsulfamide, tetramethylenediamine, tetramethylpropylenediamine, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine. These assist in solvation of lithium ions. Examples of acceptor solvents include alcohols, glycols, and polyglycols. These assist in solvation of the sulfide and polysulfide anions.
Inventors
- 👤 May-Ying Chu
- 👤 Lutgard C. De Jonghe
- 👤 Steven J. Visco
- 👤 Bruce D. Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/05; H01M10/056; H01M10/0564; H01M10/0566; H01M10/0569; C; C07; C07C; C07C227/00; C07C227/30; C07C227/32; H01M10/052; H01M10/0565; H01M10/36; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/04; H01M4/0402; H01M4/0404; H01M4/0409; H01M4/0411; H01M4/0416; H01M4/043; H01M4/0435; H01M4/0438; H01M4/045; H01M4/13; H01M4/133; H01M4/134; H01M4/137; H01M4/36; H01M4/38; H01M4/381; H01M4/382; H01M4/58; H01M4/581; H01M4/5815; H01M4/62; H01M4/624; H01M4/626; H01M10/39; H01M10/3909; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/028; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0085; H01M4/60; H01M4/621; H01M4/625; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/46; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M6/16; H01M6/162; H01M6/164; H01M6/168; H01M6/18; H01M6/181; H01M6/188; H01M6/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of i) an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and ii) an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte including a i) main solvent having the chemical formula R 1 (CH 2 CH 2 O) n R 2 , where n ranges between 2 and 10, R 1 and R 2 are different or identical groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkyl, and substituted alkoxy groups; and ii) a cosolvent having a donor number of at least about 15.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of i) an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and ii) an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte including a i) main solvent having the chemical formula R 1 (CH 2 CH 2 O) n R 2 , where n ranges between 2 and 10, R 1 and R 2 are different or identical groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkyl, and substituted alkoxy groups; and ii) a cosolvent having a donor number of at least about 15.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein at least about 10% of the sulfur in the positive electrode is utilized in at least 50 cycles, wherein 100% utilization corresponds to 1675 mAh/g of the sulfur in the battery cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The battery cell of claim 2, wherein at least about 20% of the sulfur in the positive electrode is utilized in at least 50 successive cycles, wherein 100% utilization corresponds to 1675 mAh/g of the sulfur in the positive electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the solvent is a polyglyme of the chemical formula CH 3 O(CH 2 CH 2 O) n CH 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The battery cell of claim 4, wherein the solvent is tetraglyme, CH 3 O(CH 2 CH 2 O) 4 CH 3 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein R 1 and R 2 together with (CH 2 CH 2 O) n form a closed ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the donor solvent is present in a concentration of at least about 10% by volume.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the donor solvent is at least one of hexamethylphosphoramide, pyridine, N,N-diethylacetamide, N,N-diethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetramethylurea, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, tributylphosphate, trimethylphosphate N,N,N',N'-tetraethylsulfamide, tetramethylenediamine, tetramethylpropylenediamine, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte solvent comprises an acceptor solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery cell of claim 9, wherein the acceptor solvent is at least one of methanol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, nitromethane, trifluoroacetic acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, sulfur dioxide, and boron trifluoride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the metal in the negative electrode is at least one of sodium and lithium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery cell of claim 11, wherein the metal in the negative electrode is lithium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the negative electrode is a lithium intercalation electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the electronic conductor of the positive electrode is at least one of carbon and an electronically conductive polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of i) an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and ii) an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte including a solvent having at least one of a crown ether and a cryptand, and a donor solvent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
A battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of i) an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and ii) an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte including a solvent having at least one of a crown ether and a cryptand, and a donor solvent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein at least about 10% of the sulfur in the positive electrode is utilized in at least 50 cycles, wherein 100% utilization corresponds to 1675 mAh/g of the sulfur in the battery cell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The battery cell of claim 16, wherein at least about 20% of the sulfur in the positive electrode is utilized in at least 50 successive cycles, wherein 100% utilization corresponds to 1675 mAh/g of the sulfur in the positive electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the solvent is a crown ether.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The battery cell of claim 18, wherein the crown ether is at least one of 18-crown-6, 15-crown-5, dibenzo-18-crown-6, and 12-crown-4.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the solvent is a cryptand.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the donor solvent is at least one of hexamethylphosphoramide, pyridine, N,N-diethylacetamide, N,N-diethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetramethylurea, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, tributylphosphate, trimethylphosphate, N,N,N',N'-tetraethylsulfamide, tetramethylenediamine, tetramethylpropylenediamine, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the electrolyte further comprises an acceptor solvent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery cell of claim 22, wherein the acceptor solvent is at least one of methanol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, nitromethane, trifluoroacetic acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, sulfur dioxide, and boron trifluoride.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the metal in the negative electrode is at least one of sodium and lithium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery cell of claim 24, wherein the metal in the negative electrode is lithium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the negative electrode is a lithium intercalation electrode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery cell of claim 15, wherein the electronic conductor of the positive electrode is at least one of carbon and an electronically conductive polymer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
122 words
A rechargeable battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte including a solvent for at least some discharge products of the positive electrode, wherein the rechargeable battery cell is characterized by at least one of the following criteria: i) the battery cell attains at least about 10% utilization over at least fifty cycles, and ii) the battery cell attains at least about 50% utilization over two or more cycles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
122 words
A rechargeable battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte including a solvent for at least some discharge products of the positive electrode, wherein the rechargeable battery cell is characterized by at least one of the following criteria: i) the battery cell attains at least about 10% utilization over at least fifty cycles, and ii) the battery cell attains at least about 50% utilization over two or more cycles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the battery cell attains at least about 30% utilization over at least fifty cycles.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the battery cell attains at least about 50% utilization over at least 10 cycles.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the battery cell attains at least about 50% utilization over at least 75 cycles.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the metal and a negative electrode is at least one of sodium and lithium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the negative electrode is a lithium intercalation electrode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the electronic conductor of the positive electrode is at least one of carbon and an electronically conductive polymer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the liquid electrolyte solvent has the chemical formula R 1 (CH 2 CH 2 O) n R 2 , wherein n ranges between 2 and 10, R 1 , and R 2 , are different or identical groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkyl, and substituted alkoxy groups.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery cell of claim 33, wherein R 1 and R 2 together with (CH 2 CH 2 O) n form a closed ring.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery cell of claim 33, wherein the electrolyte further comprises a donor solvent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the battery cell is characterized by a separation distanced between a back boundary where a catholyte is farthest removed from the negative electrode and a front boundary where the catholyte is nearest the negative electrode, wherein the separation distance is not greater than about 400 micrometers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the electronically conductive material comprises an interconnected matrix.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The battery cell of claim 28, wherein the cell discharges at an average current density of at least about 0.5 mA/cm 2 over at least 50 cycles in criteria (i) and at least 2 cycles in criteria (ii).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
125 words
A battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of i) an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and ii) an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte defining a catholyte of the solvent and dissolved discharged products from the positive electrode, wherein the battery cell is characterized by a separation distanced between a back boundary where the catholyte is farthest removed from the negative electrode and a front boundary where the catholyte is nearest the negative electrode, wherein the separation distance is not greater than about 400 micrometers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
125 words
A battery cell comprising: a) a negative electrode including a metal or an ion of the metal; b) a positive electrode comprising a mixture of i) an electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of elemental sulfur, a sulfide of the metal, and a polysulfide of the metal, and ii) an electronically conductive material; and c) a liquid electrolyte defining a catholyte of the solvent and dissolved discharged products from the positive electrode, wherein the battery cell is characterized by a separation distanced between a back boundary where the catholyte is farthest removed from the negative electrode and a front boundary where the catholyte is nearest the negative electrode, wherein the separation distance is not greater than about 400 micrometers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery cell of claim 41, wherein the separation distance is not greater than about 300 micrometers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The battery cell of claim 41, wherein the battery cell comprises two positive electrodes with the negative electrode disposed therebetween.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery cell of claim 41, wherein electronically conductive material comprises an interconnected matrix.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery cell of claim 41, wherein the positive electrode is disposed on positive current collector.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 41, wherein the catholyte concentration is between about 3 and 30 moles of sulfur per liter.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery cell of claim 46, wherein the catholyte concentration is between about 7 and 25 mole of sulfur per liter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The battery cell of claim 47, wherein the catholyte to concentration is between about 10 and 20 moles of sulfur per liter.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery cell of claim 41, wherein the separation distance is not greater than about 150 micrometers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-28 | 2003-08-30 | 2004-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-28 | 2007-08-30 | 2008-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-28 | 2011-08-30 | 2012-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |