International Business Machines Corporation

Amaresh Samuthira Pandian

Young-Hye Na

Jangwoo Kim

Yumi Kim

Holt Bui

Phillip Medina

A rechargeable metal halide battery fabricated with a liquid nitrogen treated metallic anode demonstrates a stable cycle life with a slow rate of degradation and high discharge capacity in comparison to battery cells with untreated anodes. The anode, which may be an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal, is pretreated with the liquid nitrogen prior to formation in a battery stack. The liquid nitrogen treatment forms a metal nitride on a surface of the anode that (i) increases the surface area of the anode, (ii) acts as a passivation layer that prevents detrimental SEI-forming side reactions that degrade anodes, and (iii) suppresses dendrite growth. Where the anode is lithium, the metal nitride is lithium nitride (LiN).

Method to protect a lithium metal anode in a rechargeable lithium metal battery

A hybrid solid-state electrolyte is disclosed. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte includes an inorganic ion-conducting membrane. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte further includes a first layer of an organic liquid solution surrounding a surface of the inorganic ion-conducting membrane. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte further includes a second layer of an ion-conducting polymer surrounding the first layer of the organic liquid solution.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Amaresh Samuthira Pandian