Electrolyte Solutions for High Energy Cathode Materials and Methods for Use

Abstract

Described herein are materials for use in electrolytes that provide a number of desirable characteristics when implemented within batteries, such as high stability during battery cycling up to high temperatures, high voltages, high discharge capacity, high coulombic efficiency, and excellent retention of discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency over several cycles of charging and discharging. In some embodiments, a high voltage electrolyte includes a base electrolyte and an additive compounds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery comprising:
 an anode;   a cathode; and   an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt, a non-aqueous solvent, and a polymer additive having at least one nitrile functional group.   
     
     
         2 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the additive compound is present at a concentration of no greater than about 10% of the total weight of the electrolyte. 
     
     
         3 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the additive compound is present at a concentration of no greater than about 0.5% of the total weight of the electrolyte. 
     
     
         4 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.2 V. 
     
     
         5 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.5 V. 
     
     
         6 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.7 V. 
     
     
         7 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.9 V. 
     
     
         8 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the cathode comprises cobalt. 
     
     
         9 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein the additive comprises polyacrylonitrile. 
     
     
         10 . A battery comprising:
 an anode;   a cathode; and   an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt, a non-aqueous solvent, and a copolymer additive having at least one amide functional group and at least one ester functional group.   
     
     
         11 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the additive compound is present at a concentration of no greater than about 10% of the total weight of the electrolyte. 
     
     
         12 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the additive compound is present at a concentration of no greater than about 0.5% of the total weight of the electrolyte. 
     
     
         13 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.2 V. 
     
     
         14 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.5 V. 
     
     
         15 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.7 V. 
     
     
         16 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the battery is characterized by a rated charge voltage greater than about 4.9 V. 
     
     
         17 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the cathode comprises cobalt. 
     
     
         18 . The battery of  claim 10  wherein the additive comprises poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate).