US6344293B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lithium electrochemical cells with enhanced cycle life
Assignee: Sion Power Corp
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Filing: 2000-04-18
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Granted: 2002-02-05
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Expires: 2020-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A secondary lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is provided comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein the cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 3000 ppm by weight of the electrolyte. Such cells have a long cycle life.
Inventors
- 👤 Yordan M. Geronov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/05; H01M10/056; H01M10/0564; H01M10/0566; H01M10/0567; H01M10/052; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/36; H01M4/60; H01M4/602; H01M4/38; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M6/16; H01M6/162; H01M6/168; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 3000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 3000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 5000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 10,000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 15,000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 20,000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material comprises elemental sulfur.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material, in its oxidized state, comprises one or more polysulfide moieties, —S m —, where m is an integer equal to or greater than 3.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material, in its oxidized state, comprises one or more polysulfide moieties, —S m − , where m is an integer equal to or greater than 3.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material, in its oxidized state, comprises one or more polysulfide moieties, S m 2− , where m is an integer equal to or greater than 3.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material, in its oxidized state, is of the general formula C(S x ) n wherein x ranges from greater than 2.5 to about 50, and n is an integer equal to or greater than to 2.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material, in its oxidized state, comprises one or more of the polysulfur moieties: wherein m, the same or different at each occurrence, is an integer and is greater than 2, and y, the same or different at each occurrence, is an integer and is equal to or greater than 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material, in its oxidized state, comprises one or more of the moieties: wherein m is the same or different at each occurrence and is greater than 2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material comprises greater than 50% by weight of sulfur.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material comprises greater than 75% by weight of sulfur.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing material comprises greater than 90% by weight of sulfur.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said anode comprises lithium metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said one or more lithium salts are selected from the group consisting of LiBr, LiI, LiSCN, LiBF 4 , LiPF 6 , LiAsF 6 , LiSO 3 CF 3 , LiN(SO 2 CF 3 ) 2 , LiC(SO 2 CF 3 ) 3 , (LiS x ) z R, and Li 2 S x , where x is an integer from 1 to 20, z is an integer from 1 to 3, and R is an organic group.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cell of claim 1 , wherein said one or more non-aqueous solvents are selected from the group consisting of ethers, cyclic ethers, polyethers, esters, sulfones, and sulfolanes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 3000 ppm to 50,000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 3000 ppm to 50,000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 1000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 1000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising a lithium surface; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 10 −6 moles/cm 2 of said lithium surface in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
81 words
A secondary electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising a lithium surface; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water; wherein said cycle life enhancing amount of water is greater than 10 −6 moles/cm 2 of said lithium surface in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of making a secondary electrochemical cell comprising the steps of: (a) providing an anode comprising lithium; (b) providing a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) providing a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte is prepared by a process comprising preparing a solution of: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water greater than 3000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of making a secondary electrochemical cell comprising the steps of: (a) providing an anode comprising lithium; (b) providing a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) providing a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte is prepared by a process comprising preparing a solution of: (i) one or more lithium salts; (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and (iii) a cycle life enhancing amount of water greater than 3000 ppm by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of increasing the cycle life of a secondary electrochemical cell, wherein said cell comprises: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; and (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and wherein said method comprises a step of incorporating in said electrolyte greater than 3000 ppm of water by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of increasing the cycle life of a secondary electrochemical cell, wherein said cell comprises: (a) an anode comprising lithium; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; and (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; and wherein said method comprises a step of incorporating in said electrolyte greater than 3000 ppm of water by weight of said electrolyte.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said method further comprises a step of temporarily sealing the cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said method further comprises a step of storing said cell prior to the first discharge-charge cycle of said cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said method further comprises a step of releasing gas formed after assembly of said cell and prior to permanently sealing said cell.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said step of releasing said gas formed is carried out prior to the first discharge-charge cycle of said cell.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of increasing the cycle life of a secondary electrochemical cell, wherein said cell comprises: (a) an anode comprising a lithium surface; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; and (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; wherein said method comprises a step of incorporating into said electrolyte greater than 10 −6 moles of water/cm 2 of said lithium surface in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of increasing the cycle life of a secondary electrochemical cell, wherein said cell comprises: (a) an anode comprising a lithium surface; (b) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material; and (c) a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said electrolyte comprises: (i) one or more lithium salts; and (ii) one or more non-aqueous solvents; wherein said method comprises a step of incorporating into said electrolyte greater than 10 −6 moles of water/cm 2 of said lithium surface in contact with said electrolyte.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-04 | 2005-08-06 | 2006-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-04 | 2009-08-06 | 2010-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-04 | 2013-08-06 | 2014-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |