Electrochemical energy storage devices
摘要
說明書
It will be appreciated that the solid electrolytes useful with the energy storage devices disclosed herein are different from those used in conventional batteries. For example, in embodiments, the solid electrolyte is actually solid and is free from or does not include any liquids or gels. Additionally, the solid electrolytes are categorically different from those used with lithium-based batteries. For example, lithium-based batteries may rely on a lithium containing electrolyte, such as a lithium salt dissolved in a liquid electrolyte. In embodiments, the solid electrolytes used with the energy storage devices described here are free from or do not include any lithium, such as lithium atoms, lithium ions, or lithium salts. The solid electrolytes useful with the energy storage devices disclosed herein are also different from those used in other devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells. Some electrolytes, in the bulk, may be ionically conductive at high temperatures, such as temperatures in excess of 500° C., but may behave as ionically non-conductive at low temperatures, such as 0° C.-100° C. The electrolytes useful herein, however, exhibit high ionic conductivity at low temperatures, and this effect may arise by way of the size (i.e., thickness) of the electrolyte. Thicker electrolytes of the same material may not behave in the same way or exhibit the same properties.
Optionally, an energy storage device further comprises a second solid electrolyte positioned in direct contact with the second electrode, and a third electrode positioned in direct contact with the second solid electrolyte. Optionally, an energy storage device further comprises one or more solid electrolyte and metal oxide electrode bi-layers positioned in direct contact with a topmost electrode. It will be appreciated that the characteristics described above may also apply to the additional solid electrolytes and electrodes.
