Technology Overview

To meet trends such as the rise of electric vehicles, significant advances in the energy storage capability of batteries are urgently required. Most research has focused on the development of high-capacity electrode materials. This research optimizes electrode architecture to maximize the electrode areal capacity. Above a critical thickness, existing solution-processed particulate films have mechanical instabilities (i.e. they can crack) which leads to failure.

Researchers at TCD have used segregated carbon nanotube membranes to increase the maximum thickness of electrodes with increased mechanical stability. This allows for the increase of areal capacitance and, therefore, improves battery energy density.

Extremely thick and high areal capacity battery composite electrodes enabled by the formation of segregated nanotube (CNT) networks.
A simple method to produce both high areal capacity anodes/cathodes from any high-performance materials (e.g. graphene-wrapped silicon nanoparticles and LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂).

Further Details:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-019-0398-y.

Benefits

Increased mechanical properties:
- Supresses mechanical instabilities
- Allows the fabrication of electrodes with thicknesses of up to 800 μm
- Improved stability to repeat charging cycles
Very high conductivity.
Fast charge distribution within the electrodes.
Areal capacities of up to 45 and 30 mAh cm⁻² for anodes and cathodes, respectively.
Full cells demonstrated with extremely high areal capacities (29 mAh cm^-2) and energy densities (450 Wh kg^-1).
Compatible with current industrial manufacturing process (slurry casting method)
Applicable to both Li and Na ion batteries.
Charge vs. speed of charge delivery can be tailored depending on application need.

Applications

Broad range of possible applications including electric vehicles, consumer electronics.

Opportunity

Research collaboration
Available to License

High Areal Capacity Electrodes

Patents

IP Status

Seeking