High Capacity Energy Storage

Abstract

An energy storage device includes a nano-structured cathode. The cathode includes a conductive substrate, and underframe and an active layer. The underframe includes structures such as nano-filaments and/or aerogel. The active layer optionally includes a catalyst disposed within the active layer, the catalyst being configured to catalyze the dissociation of cathode active material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochemically active electrode for use in a lithium ion cell, the electrode comprising a substrate and an electrochemically active electrode material comprised of:
 a nanostructured template comprising a metal silicide; and   a layer of an electrochemically active material coating the nanostructured template, the electrochemically active material configured to take in and release lithium ions during cycling of the lithium ion cell,   wherein the nanostructured template facilitates conduction of electrical current to and from the electrochemically active material and provides support to the layer of the electrochemically active material.   
     
     
         2 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the metal silicide includes silicon and germanium. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the metal silicide includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, molybdenum and iron. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemically active material coating the nanostructured template includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, molybdenum and iron. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the metal silicide includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, copper, silver, chromium, titanium, aluminum, zinc and iron. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemically active material coating the nanostructured template comprises a silicon material, a tin containing material or a germanium containing material. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemically active material coating the nanostructured template is a non-silicide material. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemically active material coats some but not all of the template. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode material of  claim 8 , wherein the electrochemically active material coats from between 90 and 99%, between 75 and 90%, between 25 and 75%, or less than 25% of the template. 
     
     
         10 . An electrochemically active electrode for use in a lithium ion cell, the electrode comprising electrochemically active electrode material comprised of:
 a nanostructured template comprising a metal silicide; and   a layer of a non-silicide electrochemically active material, the electrochemically active material configured to take in and release lithium ions during cycling of the lithium ion cell,   wherein the nanostructured template facilitates conduction of electrical current to and from the electrochemically active material and provides support to the layer of the electrochemically active material.   
     
     
         11 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the metal silicide includes silicon and germanium. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the metal silicide includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, molybdenum and iron. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the non-silicide active material includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, tungsten, molybdenum and iron. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the metal silicide includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, copper, silver, chromium, titanium, aluminum, zinc and iron. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the non-silicide active material comprises a tin containing material or a germanium containing material. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the electrochemically active material coats some but not all of the template. 
     
     
         17 . The electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the electrochemically active material coats from between 90 and 99%, between 75 and 90%, between 25 and 75%, or less than 25% of the template.