Alloys of clathrate allotropes for rechargeable batteries

摘要

The present disclosure is directed at an electrode for a battery wherein the electrode comprises clathrate alloys of silicon, germanium or tin. In method form, the present disclosure is directed at methods of forming clathrate alloys of silicon, germanium or tin which methods lead to the formation of empty cage structures suitable for use as electrodes in rechargeable type batteries.

主权项

1. An electrode in an electrochemical battery wherein said electrode comprises clathrate alloys of silicon, germanium and/or tin of one of the following formulas:
(a) Type I clathrate alloy AxMyX46-y, wherein A=Li with none, one or more guest atoms selected from group 1A, group 2A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 5A, group 7A and group 8; M=Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Cu or Ga; X=Si, Ge and/or Sn wherein M≠X≠A; y is a number value greater than zero; and x is a number value; and (b) Type II clathrate alloy AxMyX34-y where A=Li with none, one or more guest atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 5A, group 7A and group 8; M=B, Al, P, S, Cu, Ni, Zn, Ag, Au, Pt, Ga, Se or any metal or metalloid element capable of forming a clathrate with X; X=Si, Ge or Sn wherein M≠X≠A; y is a number value greater than zero; and x is a number value.