3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Larry J Krause

Ou Mao

Robert L Turner

William M Lamanna

Donald J McClure

Jeffery R Dahn

Mary M Buckett

Nena M McCallum

Jack A Rider

Lowell D Jensen

Steven Joseph Hamrock

George G Moore

Jeffrey R Dahn

Mark N Obrovac

Kevin Wilmot Eberman

Jennifer E Waddell

James R Landucci

John W Summerfield

Dominique Larcher

Brian D Fredericksen

Ian Courtney

Thin film alloy electrodes are provided that are useful as negative electrodes in lithium-ion electrochemical cells. The alloys include aluminum and at least one additional electrochemically active metal or composite. They can be used as a current collector or as a complete electrode.

Thin film alloy electrodes

Irreversible first cycle capacity loss in lithium secondary cells having a cell electrode based on a powdered material and a binder may be significantly decreased or eliminated by using an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyimide binder. Compared to conventional polyimide binders prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride and a diamine, the disclosed polyimide binders have decreased aromatic carbonyl content, may be less likely to undergo electrochemical reduction, and may be less likely to consume electrons that might otherwise help lithiate the electrode.

Polyimide electrode binders

The silicon as an anode material for use in lithium ion batteries according to the present invention provides a method for cell manufacturing. The degree to which the silicon is lithiated during cycling can be controlled, thereby lowering the volume expansion while maintaining an acceptable volumetric capacity, and reducing the failure rate of the silicon containing anodes in lithium ion batteries. The crystalline silicon anode is first charged so that the anode becomes partially lithiated. The voltage of the anode during this charging step is typically less than the lithiation potential of crystalline silicon at ambient temperatures, for example, less than 170 mV versus lithium metal. The total number of charge-discharge cycles during conditioning is at least two or more.

Method of using an electrochemical cell

An electrode composition that includes an electrode material consisting essentially of at least one electrochemically inactive elemental metal and at least one electrochemically active elemental metal in the form of an amorphous mixture at ambient temperature. The mixture remains amorphous when the electrode composition is incorporated into a lithium battery and cycled through at least one full charge-discharge cycle at ambient temperature.

Amorphous electrode compositions

An electrode composition that includes a plurality of composite particles and a plurality of electrically conductive diluent particles admixed with the composite particles. Each of the composite particles includes an electrochemically active metal particle and an electrically conductive layer partially covering the particle. In one aspect, the layer is present in an amount no greater than about 75 wt. % of the composite, while in another aspect the layer is present in an amount no greater than about 75 vol. % of the composite. Also featured are lithium ion batteries featuring electrodes made from these compositions.

Electrode compositions having improved cycling behavior

An electrode composition that includes (a) an electrochemically active metal element which, prior to cycling, is in the form of an intermetallic compound or an elemental metal and (b) a non-electrochemically active metal element. The electrode compositions have high initial capacities that are retained even after repeated cycling. The electrode compositions also exhibit high coulombic efficiencies.

Electrode compositions with high coulombic efficiencies

An electrode for a lithium battery that includes (a) an electrochemically active metal element which, prior to cycling, is in the form of an intermetallic compound or an elemental metal and (b) a non-electrochemically active metal element. The electrode have high initial capacities that are retained even after repeated cycling. The electrode also exhibit high coulombic efficiencies.

Electrode for a lithium battery

A high performance battery containing an aluminum current collector is described which includes a noncorrosive salt disposed in a matrix, said salt being a bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)imide having a total of at least 3 carbon atoms or a cyclic(perfluoroalkylenedisulfonyl)-imide.

Battery containing bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)imide and cyclic

An electrolyte composition that includes a salt disposed in a matrix in which the salt has a formula selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## in which X.sup.- is --O.sup.-, --N.sup.- SO.sub.2 R.sub.f.sup.3, or ##STR2## Z is --CF.sub.2 --, --O--, --NR.sub.f.sup.8 --, or --SF.sub.4 --; R.sub.f.sup.1 and R.sub.f.sup.2, independently, are --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.m F.sub.2m+1, or --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --SO.sub.2 --X.sup.- M.sup.+ ; R.sub.f.sup.3, R.sub.f.sup.4, and R.sub.f.sup.5, independently, are --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.mf.sub.2m+1, --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --X.sup.- M.sup.+, ##STR3## R.sub.f.sup.8 is --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.m F.sub.2m+1, or --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --SO.sub.2 --X.sup.- M.sup.+ ; R.sub.f.sup.6 and R.sub.f.sup.7, independently, are perfluoroalkylene moieties having the formula --C.sub.r F.sub.2r ; n is 1-4; r is 1-4; m is 1-12; q is 1-4; and M.sup.+ is a counterion.

Perfluoroalkylsulfonates, sulfonimides, and sulfonyl methides, and

The invention consists of a process for electroplating electroactive polymer substrates at potentials sufficient to cause reduction of the substrates. The inventive process can be used to make polymer-metal composites having one or more metal films. More specifically, it can be used to electroplate polyimide substrates with gold, or to electroplate gold over a copper plated polyimide substrate. These inventive composites exhibit improved polymer-metal adhesion when they are exposed to elevated temperatures and humidities, i.e., 85.degree. C. and 85% R.H.

Process for electroplating electroactive polymers and articles derived

The invention consists of a process for pulse electroplating electroactive polymer substrates at potentials sufficient to cause reduction of the substrates. The inventive process can be used to make polymer-metal composites having one or more metal films. More specifically, it can be used to electroplate polyimide substrates with gold, or to electroplate gold over a copper plated polyimide substrate. These inventive composites exhibit improved polymer-metal adhesion when they are exposed to elevated temperatures and humidities, i.e., 85.degree. C. and 85% R.H.

Process for pulse electroplating electroactive polymers and articles

Formation of well-adhered metal layers on aromatic polymeric substrates through a two-step process is based upon reversible charge storage in the electroactive center-containing polymeric substrate. Articles particularly useful for electronic, imaging and solar applications are produced. The process disclosed may be a totally additive process such that articles can be produced in a continuous manner.

Growing community of inventors

Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Larry J Krause