BATTERY CELLS WITH LITHIUM ION CONDUCTING TAPE-CAST CERAMIC, GLASS AND GLASS-CERAMIC MEMBRANES

摘要

Alkali (or other active) metal battery and other electrochemical cells incorporating active metal anodes together with aqueous cathode/electrolyte systems. The battery cells have a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal anode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the anode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or cathode material in conjunction with the anode. Also, optimization of electrolytes or cathode-side solvent systems may be done without impacting anode stability or performance. In particular, Li/water, Li/air and Li/metal hydride cells, components, configurations and fabrication techniques are provided.

主权项

1. A method of making an electrochemical cell structure, the method comprising:
tape-casting an inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane selected from the group consisting of a glass, a ceramic and a glass-ceramic, the membrane having a first surface and a second surface; and assembling the tape-cast inherently lithium ion conductive separator membrane-with a lithium-containing anode adjacent to the first surface; wherein the membrane effectively isolates the lithium-containing anode from an environment at the second surface of the membrane, while allowing transport of lithium ions across the membrane, the membrane having a lithium ion conductivity of at least 10−6 S/cm.