Graphene current collectors in batteries for portable electronic devices

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes a cathode current collector containing graphene, a cathode active material, an electrolyte, an anode active material, and an anode current collector. The graphene may reduce the manufacturing cost and/or increase the energy density of the battery cell.

1 . A battery cell, comprising:
 a cathode current collector;   a cathode active material;   an electrolyte;   an anode active material; and   an anode current collector;   wherein the cathode current collector compromises a non-conducting layer covered on each side by only one graphene monolayer, wherein the only one graphene monolayer on each side of the non-conducting layer is sandwiched by the non-conducting layer and the cathode active material, and wherein the only one graphene monolayers from each side of the non-conducting layer are electrically connected to each other to form a continuous current collector.   
     
     
         2 . The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein the anode current collector comprises graphene. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The battery cell of  claim 3 , wherein the electrolyte is a solid electrolyte. 
     
     
         5 . The battery cell of  claim 4 , wherein the solid electrolyte comprises lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON). 
     
     
         6 . The battery cell of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and   wherein the anode active material comprises lithium metal.   
     
     
         7 . The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein the non-conducting layer comprises a polyamide layer. 
     
     
         8 . The battery cell of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the polyamide layer is about two microns thick, and   wherein the graphene is about one micron thick.   
     
     
         9 . The battery cell of  claim 7 , wherein the graphene is deposited on one or both sides of the polyamide layer. 
     
     
         10 . The battery cell of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and   wherein the anode active material comprises graphite.   
     
     
         11 . A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a set of components powered by a battery pack; and   the battery pack, comprising:
 a battery cell, comprising:
 a cathode current collector comprising graphene; 
 a cathode active material; 
 an electrolyte; 
 an anode active material; and 
 an anode current collector; 
 wherein the cathode current collector compromises a non-conducting layer covered on each side by only one graphene monolayer, wherein the only one graphene monolayer on each side of the non-conducting layer is sandwiched by the non-conducting layer and the cathode active material, and wherein the only one graphene monolayers from each side of the non-conducting layer are electrically connected to each other to form a continuous current collector. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the anode current collector comprises graphene. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the electrolyte is a solid electrolyte. 
     
     
         15 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the solid electrolyte comprises lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON). 
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and   wherein the anode active material comprises lithium metal.   
     
     
         17 . The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the non-conducting layer comprises a polyamide layer. 
     
     
         18 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the polyamide layer is about two microns thick, and   wherein the graphene is about one micron thick.   
     
     
         19 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the graphene is deposited on one or both sides of the polyamide layer. 
     
     
         20 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the cathode active material comprises a lithium compound, and   wherein the anode active material comprises graphite.