United States Patent and Trademark Office >>
November 28, 2017: StoreDot receives patent for in-battery polymerization of conducting polymers for high-rate charging cathodes
Rechargeable lithium batteries are extensively used for portable electronic devices as well as hybrid electronic vehicles. The cell capacity and rate capability as well as safety, environmental compatibility, life cycle, and cost are among the commercial considerations in preparing and using various types of batteries.
Olivine LiFePO4 (LFP) cathode material is known to be low-cost, safe, environmentally benign, and further, provides beneficial cyclability and large capacity at high rates of charge and discharge.
It is noted that the LFP particles used are of nano-scale and/or are coated with carbon; due to poor kinetic response of electronic and Li+-ion transfer under rapid-rate conditions.
The present invention relates to the field of batteries, and more particularly, to cathodes for fast-charging lithium ion batteries. This disclosure covers cathodes for a fast-charging lithium-ion battery, processes for manufacturing thereof, and corresponding batteries.
Cathode formulations comprise cathode material having an olivine-based structure, binder material, and monomer material selected to polymerize into a conductive polymer upon partial delithiation of the cathode material during at least a first charging cycle of a cell having a cathode made of the cathode formulation.
When the cathode is used in a battery, polymerization is induced in-situ (in-cell) during first charging cycle(s) of the battery to provide a polymer matrix that is evenly dispersed throughout the cathode.
