163 patents in this list

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The quest for efficient lithium-metal anodes is crucial in advancing battery technology. These anodes promise higher energy density but face significant challenges, such as dendrite formation and stability issues. Understanding the compositions and structures of lithium-metal anodes is vital for developing safer and more reliable batteries.

Professionals encounter hurdles like maintaining structural integrity and preventing dendritic growth, which can lead to short circuits. The balance between performance and safety remains delicate, requiring precise engineering and material innovation. This complex landscape demands continuous exploration and refinement of materials and methods.

This page presents a curated list of lithium-metal anode compositions, drawn from various patents and research endeavors. These compositions include three-dimensional structures, protective coatings, and composite materials designed to address key challenges. By exploring these solutions, professionals can enhance battery performance, improve safety, and extend the lifespan of energy storage systems.

1. Negative Electrode with Micron-Scale Particle Protective Layer for Lithium Metal Batteries

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD, 2024

Negative electrode for lithium metal batteries with improved cycle life and reduced volumetric change during charging. The negative electrode has a protective layer on the lithium metal surface with particles sizes between 1-100 microns. The protective layer has a Young's modulus of 106 Pa or greater. This provides mechanical strength to prevent dendrite growth and volumetric expansion during charging. The protective layer also improves lithium deposition density compared to bare lithium metal electrodes.

2. All-Solid-State Battery with Selective Anode Coating for Resistance Distribution Control

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2024

An all solid state battery design to prevent short circuits in the anode during charging by controlling the resistance distribution. The battery has a coating layer with lithium titanate on the anode current collector. The coating exists in the region where the anode and cathode are opposing but is omitted in the region where they are not opposed. This helps balance charge reaction progression in both regions. In the opposed region, the coating provides a conductive path to lower anode potential. In the non-opposed region, the coating omission reduces resistance compared to the coated region. This prevents uneven charge reaction progression and minimizes short circuits in the anode.

3. Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Material Comprising Nb2TiO7 and Nb-Rich Phases with Potassium and Phosphorus Additives

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, 2024

Active material for high-performance lithium-ion battery negative electrodes that balances capacity, cycle life, and energy density. The active material contains both Nb2TiO7 and Nb-rich phases like Nb10Ti2O29, Nb14TiO37, and Nb24TiO64. It also has optimized particle size distribution and contains potassium and phosphorus. The Nb-rich phases improve overcharge resistance and cycle life. The potassium and phosphorus help suppress particle growth during synthesis. The particle size distribution is fine enough for good rate performance but not excessively small to prevent cracking during cycling.

US11978897B2-patent-drawing

4. Lithium Metal Composite Electrode with In Situ Grown Conductive Layer and 3D Framework Structure

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, 2024

Lithium metal composite electrode material for lithium metal batteries with improved cycle stability and reduced dendrite formation compared to conventional lithium metal electrodes. The composite electrode material has a lithium-containing conductive layer grown in situ on the surfaces of lithium metal particles. This layer isolates the lithium metal from the electrolyte to reduce irreversible reactions and dendrite growth. The layer includes an inorganic lithium compound and lithium alloy. The layer serves as a 3D framework structure that coats the lithium metal particles. This framework reduces volume expansion and dendrite formation during cycling. The composite electrode material is prepared by mixing lithium metal, a metal compound, and conductive carbon, then heat treating to grow the in situ layer.

5. Composite Positive Electrode Material with Dual-Substance Crack Microstructure for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., 2024

Positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries with improved cycle life and capacity retention. The material contains a first substance with a crack and a second substance inside the crack. The first substance contains cobalt, manganese, nickel, lithium, oxygen, magnesium, and fluorine. The second substance contains phosphorus and oxygen. The crack formation during battery manufacturing is leveraged to create a unique microstructure that enhances stability during high voltage charging and discharging.

6. Lithium Metal Electrode with Porous Carbon Layer Formed by Gas Desorption for Dendrite and Side Reaction Mitigation

CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, 2023

A lithium metal negative electrode for lithium-ion batteries that addresses the issues of dendrite formation and interface side reactions. The electrode has a porous carbon layer with pores formed by desorbing adsorbed gas during slurry coating. This creates a 3D pore structure in the carbon layer that prevents dendrite growth and reduces side reactions compared to a smooth carbon layer. The pore structure allows lithium metal to deposit inside the pores instead of on the surface, reducing dendrite formation. The pores also provide a pathway for lithium ion transfer, mitigating side reactions.

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7. Batteries with Lithiated Carbon-Coated Lithium Anodes, Sulfurized Carbon Cathodes, and Graphene Nanoribbon-Modified Separators

WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, 2023

Batteries with improved safety, cycling stability, and energy density by using lithiated carbon-coated lithium metal anodes, sulfurized carbon cathodes, and graphene nanoribbon (GNR) modified separators. The lithiated carbon coating on lithium metal prevents dendrite formation during charging, the sulfurized carbon cathodes have high capacity and reduced polysulfide shuttle, and the GNR-modified separators prevent sulfur migration.

8. Three-Dimensional Lithium Anode with Vertical Columnar Structure and Conformal Capping Layer on Copper Substrate

Oerlikon Surface Solutions AG, Pfäffikon, 2024

Three-dimensional lithium anode for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries that addresses the limitations of graphite anodes. The anode has a vertical structure with columnar or grid-shaped lithium deposited on a copper substrate. A conformal capping layer is deposited over the lithium to protect it and prevent dendrite growth. The vertical structure allows higher lithium loading density compared to flat graphite anodes. The capping layer prevents volume expansion and ensures stable cycling. The 3D lithium anode has higher capacity, lower weight, and better cycling compared to graphite anodes.

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9. Positive Electrode Active Material with Surface-Enriched Additive Element for Structural Reinforcement in Lithium-Ion Batteries

SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD., 2024

A positive electrode active material for lithium-ion batteries that retains its structure and capacity after repeated charge/discharge cycles. The material has a surface region with higher concentration of an additive element X compared to the interior. This reinforces the outer surface and prevents breakage of the layered structure as lithium is extracted during charging. The higher X content surface helps the material maintain its structure and capacity over cycles compared to a homogeneous composition.

10. Manganese Oxides with Lithium and Sodium Compositions for Battery Electrodes

Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 2024

Manganese oxides for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries with high capacity, long cycle life, and low cost. The manganese oxides have compositions containing lithium and/or sodium, like Li1.5Mn0.5O2 or Na1.5Mn0.5O2. They can be synthesized by introducing manganese, sodium, and metal precursors under specific conditions. The metal can be any element except manganese or sodium. The resulting oxides have improved performance compared to conventional manganese oxides used in batteries.

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11. Lithium Electrode with Dual-Layer Composite Protective Coating for Dendrite Inhibition

LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD., 2024

Lithium electrode for batteries with a protective layer to prevent dendrite growth in lithium metal anodes. The protective layer is a composite of two layers: a first layer close to the lithium metal with high ion conductivity, and a second layer further from the lithium metal with high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. The first layer allows lithium ions to pass and prevents lithium depletion. The second layer transfers electrons to the lithium surface and prevents localized current density. The composite layer structure inhibits dendrite growth and improves battery performance compared to single-layer coatings.

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12. Lithium Battery with Lithium-Silicon Composite Negative Electrode and Protective Layer

BYD COMPANY LIMITED, 2024

Lithium battery with high energy density and improved cycle life by using a lithium-silicon composite negative electrode. The battery has a lithium-silicon composite negative electrode active material with elemental lithium and a lithium-silicon alloy. The battery also has a protective layer on the negative electrode to suppress side reactions and lithium plating. During charging, the battery is stopped at a lower cutoff voltage where no lithium is deposited on the negative electrode. This prevents dendrite formation and improves cycle life.

13. Continuous Reaction Solution Concentration and Filtration System for Uniform Positive Electrode Precursor Formation

LG Chem, Ltd., 2024

Preparing a high-purity, uniform positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries with improved thermal stability and reduced particle size distribution. The method involves continuously concentrating the reaction solution in a reactor with filtration while forming the electrode precursor. This allows increasing the solid content at a constant rate by discharging a portion of the reaction solution as it's added. This prevents particle size variations due to simultaneous discharge and input. The resulting precursor has low fine powder content and high aspect ratio for better electrode performance.

14. Energy Storage Module with Lithium-Metal Nitride Electrodes and Integrated Ammonia Detection System

RENAULT S.A.S, 2024

Module for storing electrical energy in vehicles that uses lithium-metal nitride negative electrodes in the accumulators. This material decomposes in the presence of air or moisture to release ammonia. The module has an ammonia sensor to detect this decomposition. If ammonia is detected, it indicates an accumulator seal breach and exposure of the negative electrode. This allows proactive replacement of compromised accumulators to prevent thermal runaway. The ammonia sensor in the module complements pressure sensors for battery thermal runaway detection.

15. Composite Interlayer Comprising Lithium Nitrate, Dimethoxyethane, and Trimethyl Phosphate for Lithium Metal Solid-State Batteries

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2024

A composite interlayer for lithium metal solid-state batteries to improve cycle life and reduce impedance at the lithium metal/solid electrolyte interface. The interlayer is formed by coating the lithium metal with a mixture of lithium nitrate, dimethoxyethane, and trimethyl phosphate. This coating is applied to the lithium metal for 1-2 hours, then dried to form the interlayer between the lithium metal and solid electrolyte. The interlayer contains an ionic conductor, like lithium nitrate, dispersed in an organic matrix. This composite interlayer suppresses side reactions between lithium metal and the solid electrolyte, reducing impedance, and improves cycle life compared to bare lithium metal.

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16. Composite Electrolytes with Inorganic Solid Electrolyte in Polymer Matrix for Lithium-Ion Batteries

QuantumScape Battery, Inc., 2024

Composite electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries with improved stability against dendrite growth and resistance to cracking when used with high-capacity lithium metal anodes. The composite electrolytes have a high volume fraction of inorganic solid electrolyte embedded in an organic polymer matrix. The inorganic component provides ionic conductivity while the polymer prevents dendrite growth and cracks. The composite electrolytes have fracture strengths between 5-250 MPa. The inorganic material can be a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide or antiperovskite oxide. The organic polymer can be entangled with a surface species on the inorganic particles. The composite electrolytes prevent dendrite formation and cycling at high current densities without cracking compared to pure organic electrolytes.

17. Prismatic Battery Cell with Internal Springs for Accommodating High-Expansion Anode Materials

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2024

Prismatic battery cell design to enable high-expansion anode materials like lithium metal or high-silicon anodes in prismatic battery cells. The design uses internal springs inside the cell case to mitigate overpressure issues caused by expanding anodes. The springs allow the anode electrode to expand and contract within the cell case while maintaining desired pressure ranges. This prevents excessive expansion that can damage the case or cause internal failures. The internal springs provide a buffer to keep electrode pressures within limits during cycling.

18. Winding Electrode Assembly with Variable Width Negative Electrode for Lithium Ion Batteries

CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, 2024

Winding type electrode assembly for lithium ion batteries that reduces lithium plating. The assembly has a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate wound together. The negative electrode plate has a first portion that overlaps the head of the positive electrode plate, and a second portion that overlaps the main body of the positive electrode plate. The width of the first portion exceeds the width of the positive electrode plate head, while the width of the second portion is smaller. This ensures that the negative electrode protrusion size at the head and tail exceeds the positive electrode size, mitigating lithium plating risk.

19. Lithium-Ion Battery Negative Electrode Plate with Organic Support Layer and Asymmetrical Active Material Size Ratios

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, 2024

Negative electrode plate design for lithium-ion batteries that enables higher energy density and cycle life compared to conventional plates. The plate has a thin metal current collector layer on a thicker organic support layer. The metal collector is coated on one side of the organic layer. The active material is stacked on the metal collector side. The active material has specific size ratios in the cross-section perpendicular to and parallel to the metal collector. This reduces weight while maintaining mechanical integrity and electrical conductivity. The organic support layer has lower density than metal, so it significantly reduces plate weight compared to a metal collector. The thinner metal collector allows for smaller plate thickness overall. This reduces weight further and increases energy density. The specific active material size ratios prevent issues with plate integrity and performance during cycling.

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20. Lithium Complex Oxide with Surface-Coated Cobalt Gradient for Secondary Battery Particles

ECOPRO BM CO., LTD., 2024

Lithium complex oxide for secondary batteries that improves capacity, resistance, and battery lifetime compared to conventional materials, while reducing lithium impurities. The lithium complex oxide secondary particle is formed by coating cobalt only on the surface of primary particles that contact the secondary particle surface. This creates a gradient of cobalt concentration from the coated layer to the particle center. The coating prevents lithium impurities from the washing step accumulating on the surface. The coated primary particles on the secondary surface have different crystal structure interplanar spacings compared to internal particles, enhancing performance.

21. Layered Cation-Ordered Oxide for Lithium-Ion Battery Positive Electrode

22. Composite Battery Electrodes with Core-Embedded Conductive Carbon and Hierarchical Protective Shells

23. High Voltage Lithium-Ion Battery Cells with Stabilized Electrode Materials and Additive-Enhanced Electrolyte

24. Positive Electrode Sheet with Core-Shell Structured Active Material and Multi-Layer Configuration

25. Secondary Battery with Chlorine Ion-Containing Nonaqueous Electrolyte and Lithium Ion Conductive Separator

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