Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Zicheng Li

Timothy J Fuller

Ion C Halalay

Mark William Verbrugge

Bob Ross Powell

Lijun Zou

Electrochemical cells that cycle lithium ions and methods for suppressing or minimizing dendrite formation are provided. The electrochemical cells include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed therebetween. At least one transition metal ion-trapping moiety, including one or more polymers functionalized with one or more trapping groups, may be included within the electrochemical cell as a coating, pore filler, substitute pendant group, or binder. The one or more trapping groups may be selected from the group consisting of: crown ethers, siderophores, bactins, ortho-phenanthroline, iminodiacetic acid dilithium salt, oxalates malonates, fumarates, succinates, itaconates, phosphonates, and combinations thereof, and may bind to metal ions found within the electrochemical cell to minimize or suppress formation of dendrite protrusions on the negative electrode.

Polymeric ion traps for suppressing or minimizing transition metal ions and dendrite formation or growth in lithium-ion batteries

A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a microporous polymer separator soaked in an electrolyte solution, the microporous polymer separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a transition metal cation trap which is i) incorporated as a binder in any of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, ii) deposited onto a surface of any of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, iii) incorporated into the microporous polymer separator, iv) deposited onto a surface of the microporous polymer separator, or v) included as an additive in the electrolyte solution. The transition metal cation trap is a siderophore.

Lithium ion battery with transition metal ion traps

A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In an example, a positive electrode for the lithium ion battery includes a lithium transition metal oxide-based active material and a high surface area carbon. The positive electrode further includes a reactive binder having a macrocycle bonded thereto.

Lithium ion battery electrodes

One example of a lithium ion battery component is a lithium ion battery separator including a planar microporous polymer membrane and a chelating agent bonded to the planar microporous polymer membrane through a linking group. The chelating agent is bonded such that the permanent dipole moment of the chelating agent is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the planar microporous polymer membrane.

Lithium ion battery components with chelating agents having oriented permanent dipole moments

A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a microporous polymer separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and a polymer having a chelating agent tethered thereto. The polymer is incorporated into the lithium ion battery such that the chelating agent complexes with metal cations in a manner sufficient to not affect movement of lithium ions across the microporous polymer separator during operation of the lithium ion battery.

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Zicheng Li