Nanocomposite anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an anode material for a sodium-ion battery having the general formula AO x —C or AC x —C, where A is aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), silicon (Si), or any combinations thereof. The anode material also contains an electrochemically active nanoparticles within the matrix. The nanoparticle may react with sodium ion (Na + ) when placed in the anode of a sodium-ion battery. In more specific embodiments, the anode material may have the general formula M y Sb-M′O x —C, Sb-MO x —C, M y Sn-M′C x —C, or Sn-MC x —C. The disclosure also relates to rechargeable sodium-ion batteries containing these materials and methods of making these materials.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A rechargeable sodium-ion battery comprising an anode material comprising:
 a matrix having the general formula AC x -C, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), silicon (Si), and any combinations thereof; and   an electrochemically active nanoparticle, wherein the matrix contains the nanoparticle and wherein the nanoparticle may react with sodium ion (Na + ) during cycling of the rechargeable sodium-ion battery.   
     
     
         22 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein the anode material has the general formula M y Sn-M′C x —C, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), zinc (Zn), or antimony (Sb), and any combinations thereof, and M′ is selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), silicon (Si), and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein the anode material has the general formula Sn-MC x -C, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), silicon (Si), and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein battery exhibits a reversible capacity of 200 mAh/g to 400 mAh/g at a current density of C/3 or higher. 
     
     
         25 . The battery of  claim 21 , further comprising a cathode also operable in a Na/S battery or a Na/NiCl 2  battery. 
     
     
         26 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein A is a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), or tantalum (Ta), and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The battery of  claim 22 , where M′ is a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), silicon (Si), and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The battery of  claim 23 , where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein the matrix is conductive. 
     
     
         30 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein the AC x  is amorphous or partially amorphous. 
     
     
         31 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein the nanoparticle may react with sodium ion (Na + ) via an alloying reaction during cycling of the rechargeable sodium-ion battery to form a sodium-alloy. 
     
     
         32 . The battery of  claim 21 , wherein the electrochemically active nanoparticle comprises an amorphous electrochemically active material or a crystalline electrochemically active material at different stages during cycling of the rechargeable sodium-ion battery. 
     
     
         33 . The battery of  claim 21 , further comprising a S cathode material. 
     
     
         34 . The battery of  claim 21 , further comprising a nickel chloride (NiCl 2 ) cathode material. 
     
     
         35 . The battery of  claim 21 , comprising more than one electrochemical cells comprising the anode material. 
     
     
         36 . The battery of  claim 21 , further comprising a processor or software encoded on computer readable media. 
     
     
         37 . A power pack comprising:
 an interface that may be electrically connected to a powered device; and   a rechargeable sodium-ion battery comprising an anode material comprising:
 a matrix having the general formula AC x -C, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), silicon (Si), and any combinations thereof; and 
 an electrochemically active nanoparticle, wherein the matrix contains the nanoparticle and wherein the nanoparticle may react with sodium ion (Na + ) during cycling of the rechargeable sodium-ion battery. 
   
     
     
         38 . The power pack of  claim 37 , wherein the powered device comprises a power tool, a camera, a cell phone, a gaming device, or a laptop computer. 
     
     
         39 . The power pack of  claim 37 , wherein the powered device comprises an electric automobile, motorcycle, bus, delivery truck, train, or boat. 
     
     
         40 . A grid storage system comprising:
 an interface that may be electrically connected to an electric grid; and   a rechargeable sodium-ion battery comprising an anode material comprising:
 a matrix having the general formula AC x -C, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), silicon (Si), and any combinations thereof; and 
 an electrochemically active nanoparticle, wherein the matrix contains the nanoparticle and wherein the nanoparticle may react with sodium ion (Na + ) during cycling of the rechargeable sodium-ion battery.