Rechargeable Alkaline Metal And Alkaline Earth Electrodes Having Controlled Dendritic Growth And Methods For Making And Using Same

Abstract

A device for extending the life of a battery, including an electrode having a metal portion, wherein the metal portion is selected from the group including lithium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and combinations thereof, an electrolyte permeable membrane, and a metal dendrite seeding material disposed between the electrode and the membrane. The electrode, the membrane and the metal dendrite seeding material are positioned in an electrolyte matrix. At least one dendrite extends from the electrode toward the electrolyte permeable membrane combines with at least one dendrite extending from the dendrite seeding material.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A cell comprising:
 an anode; and   an electrically-conductive layer comprising a dendrite seeding material, the dendrite seeding material comprising immobilized metal cations selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, aluminum, titanium, copper, silver, gold, calcium, magnesium, and combinations thereof;   wherein the electrically-conductive layer is separated from the anode by a gap.   
     
     
         3 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the cell further comprises a cathode. 
     
     
         4 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the dendrite seeding material is carbonaceous. 
     
     
         5 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the dendrite seeding material comprises immobilized lithium metal cations. 
     
     
         6 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the dendrite seeding material comprises a functionalized metal substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the functionalized metal substrate is configured to form dendrites extending from the electrically-conductive layer. 
     
     
         8 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the dendrite seeding material comprises functionalized carbon particles, wherein the functionalized carbon particles comprise carbon black, graphene, graphite, nanographite, amorphous carbon, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The cell of  claim 8 , wherein the functionalize carbon particles comprise sulfonate, carboxylate, tertiary amine, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The cell of  claim 8 , wherein the functionalized carbon particles are electrically conductive. 
     
     
         11 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the dendrite seeding material comprises a self-assembled monolayer structure. 
     
     
         12 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the dendrite seeding material comprises an electrically conductive organic polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The cell of  claim 12 , wherein the electrically conductive organic polymer comprises polyacetylene, polyphenylene vinylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline, polyphenylene sulfide, or a functionalized electrically conductive organic polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the cell comprises a membrane having an anode-facing side to which the electrically-conductive layer is disposed. 
     
     
         15 . The cell of  claim 14 , wherein the membrane is electrically insulating. 
     
     
         16 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the cell comprises an electrolyte medium. 
     
     
         17 . The cell of  claim 16 , wherein the electrolyte medium is present in the gap between the anode and the electrically-conductive layer.