Rechargeable batteries

摘要

A rechargeable battery is disclosed having electrode and separator structures which are made up of fiber-reinforced composite material, thereby allowing the battery itself to serve as an integral structural component. The utilization or efficiency of the rechargeable battery is considerably enhanced by rendering at least part of the matrix material of the electrodes and the separator porous, thereby to facilitate improved access to active sites on the electrodes, with the porosity in the separator allowing improved ion transport, both of which enhance cell operation. The porous structure also provides improved electrolyte containment and retention in the event of damage.

主权项

1. A method of producing a rechargeable battery having two electrode layers separated by a separator layer, the electrode layers and separator layer together defining a fibre-reinforced composite material, which method comprises:
forming at least one of the electrodes by:
making an active mixture by:mixing an active particulate material with a porogen; and thereafter mixing the combined particulate material and porogen with a settable or curable matrix material;contacting a fibre-reinforcing layer with the active mixture;allowing said matrix material to set or cure in contact with said fibre-reinforcing layer; andthereafter removing said porogen to provide a composite matrix material having a porous structure including pores allowing at least one of ion transport and surface access to said active particulate material.