Polymer electrolyte, intercalation compounds and electrodes for batteries

Abstract

Solid battery components are provided. A block copolymeric electrolyte is non-crosslinked and non-glassy through the entire range of typical battery service temperatures, that is, through the entire range of at least from about 0° C. to about 70° C. The chains of which the copolymer is made each include at least one ionically-conductive block and at least one second block immiscible with the ionically-conductive block. The chains form an amorphous association and are arranged in an ordered nanostructure including a continuous matrix of amorphous ionically-conductive domains and amorphous second domains that are immiscible with the ionically-conductive domains. A compound is provided that has a formula of Li x M y N z O 2 . M and N are each metal atoms or a main group elements, and x, y and z are each numbers from about 0 to about 1. y and z are chosen such that a formal charge on the M y N z portion of the compound is (4-x). In certain embodiments, these compounds are used in the cathodes of rechargeable batteries. The present invention also includes methods of predicting the potential utility of metal dichalgogenide compounds for use in lithium intercalation compounds. It also provides methods for processing lithium intercalation oxides with the structure and compositional homogeneity necessary to realize the increased formation energies of said compounds. An article is made of a dimensionally-stable, interpenetrating microstructure of a first phase including a first component and a second phase, immiscible with the first phase, including a second component. The first and second phases define interphase boundaries between them, and at least one particle is positioned between a first phase and a second phase at an interphase boundary. When the first and second phases are electronically-conductive and ionically-conductive polymers, respectively, and the particles are ion host particles, the arrangement is an electrode of a battery.

1 . An electrochemical device comprising: 
 a first component comprising a composition having a formula Li x M y N z O 2 , wherein M is a metal atom or a main group element, N is a metal atom or a main group element, x, y and z are all numbers in the range of >0 to about 1, and y and z are such that a formal charge on a M y N z  portion of the compound is (4-x), provided that where one of M or N is Ni the other may not be Al, B or Sn, and further provided that where one of M or N is Co the other may not be Al, B, Sn, In, Si, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ti or P;    an electrically conductive material in electrical communication with the first component; and    a lithium ion conductive, dimensionally supportive matrix positioned to allow lithium ion communication with the first component.    
     
     
         2 . An electrochemical device as in  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a formula LiNi y Mn z O 2 .  
     
     
         3 . An electrochemical device of manufacture according to  claim 1 , the composition Li x M y N z O 2  having a charging voltage of at least 2.5 V.  
     
     
         4 . An electrochemical device of manufacture according to  claim 1 , the composition Li x M y N z O 2  crystallizing in an α-NaFeO 2 , orthorhombic LiMnO 2  or tetragonal spinel Li 2 Mn 2 O 4  structure.  
     
     
         5 . An electrochemical device of manufacture according to  1 , wherein the first component is a cathode.  
     
     
         6 . An electrochemical device of manufacture according to  1 , wherein the electrically conductive material is carbon black.  
     
     
         7 . An electrochemical device of manufacture according to  1 , wherein the lithium ion conductive, dimensionally supportive matrix is a lithium ion conductive polymer.  
     
     
         8 . An electrochemical device as in  1 , having a charging voltage of at least about 3.9 V.  
     
     
         9 . An electrochemical device as in  1 , having a charging voltage of at least about 4.0 V.  
     
     
         10 . An electrochemical device as in  1 , having an energy density of at least 100 Whr/kg.  
     
     
         11 . An electrochemical device as in  1 , wherein at least one of the electrically conductive material and the lithium ion conductive matrix is polymeric.  
     
     
         12 . An electrochemical device as in  claim 11 , wherein each of the electrically conductive material and the lithium ion conductive matrix is polymeric.  
     
     
         13 . An electrochemical device as in  claim 1 , wherein ion host material comprises an ion host particle, the article including a plurality of ion host particles in electronic communication with the electronically-conductive polymer and in ionic communication with the ionically-conductive polymer.  
     
     
         14 . An electrochemical device, comprising: 
 a first component comprising a mixed transition metal or main group lithium intercalation oxide comprising lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt;    an electrically conductive material in electrical communication with the first component; and    a lithium ion conductive, dimensionally supportive matrix positioned to allow lithium ion communication with the first component.    
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14 , wherein the first component further comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         16 . An electrochemical device, comprising: 
 a first component comprising a lithium intercalation compound having a formula Li x M y N z O 2 , wherein M is Ni and N is Co, wherein the lithium intercalation compound is doped with Mn;    an electrically conductive material in electrical communication with the first component; and    a lithium ion conductive, dimensionally supportive matrix positioned to allow lithium ion communication with the first component.    
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical device of  claim 16 , wherein the first component further comprises aluminum.