6511results about "Electrolytic capacitors" patented technology

A method of preparing tunable inorganic patterned nanofeatures by infiltration of a block copolymer scaffold having a plurality of self-assembled periodic polymer microdomains. The method may be used sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), related to atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method includes selecting a metal precursor that is configured to selectively react with the copolymer unit defining the microdomain but is substantially non-reactive with another polymer unit of the copolymer. A tunable inorganic features is selectively formed on the microdomain to form a hybrid organic / inorganic composite material of the metal precursor and a co-reactant. The organic component may be optionally removed to obtain an inorganic feature s with patterned nanostructures defined by the configuration of the microdomain.

The present invention provides a nano-scaled graphene platelet-based composite material composition for use as an electrode, particularly as an anode of a lithium ion battery. The composition comprises: (a) micron- or nanometer-scaled particles or coating which are capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions; and (b) a plurality of nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs), wherein a platelet comprises a graphene sheet or a stack of graphene sheets having a platelet thickness less than 100 nm; wherein at least one of the particles or coating is physically attached or chemically bonded to at least one of the graphene platelets and the amount of platelets is in the range of 2% to 90% by weight and the amount of particles or coating in the range of 98% to 10% by weight. Also provided is a lithium secondary battery comprising such a negative electrode (anode). The battery exhibits an exceptional specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

The present invention provides compositions (small molecules, oligomers and polymers) that can be used to modify charge transport across a nanocrystal surface or within a nanocrystal-containing matrix, as well as methods for making and using the novel compositions.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a meso-porous nanocomposite material comprising: (A) nano-scaled graphene platelets, wherein each of the platelets comprises a sheet of graphite plane or multiple sheets of graphite plane, and the platelets have a thickness no greater than 100 nm (preferably smaller than 10 nm) and an average length, width, or diameter no greater than 10 μm (preferably smaller than 500 nm); and (B) an electrically conducting binder or matrix material attached or bonded to the platelets to form the nanocomposite material having liquid accessible pores, which provide a surface area greater than about 100 m2 / gm, preferably greater than 500 m2 / gm, and most preferably greater than 1000 m2 / gm. Also disclosed is a capacitor that includes at least an electrode comprising such a meso-porous nanocomposite material. A supercapacitor featuring such a nanocomposite exhibits an exceptionally high capacitance value.

Disclosed is an electrode for an electrochemical energy storage device, the electrode comprising a self-supporting layer of a mixture of graphene sheets and spacer particles and / or binder particles, wherein the electrode is prepared without using water, solvent, or liquid chemical. The graphene electrode prepared by the solvent-free process exhibits many desirable features and advantages as compared to the corresponding electrode prepared by a known wet process. These advantages include a higher electrode specific surface area, higher energy storage capacity, improved or higher packing density or tap density, lower amount of binder required, lower internal electrode resistance, more consistent and uniform dispersion of graphene sheets and binder, reduction or elimination of undesirable effect of electrolyte oxidation or decomposition due to the presence of water, solvent, or chemical, etc.

A method for the synthesis of compounds of the formula C-LixM1-yM'y(XO4)n, where C represents carbon cross-linked with the compound LixM1-yM'y(XO4)n, in which x, y and n are numbers such as 0<=x<=2, 0<=y<=0.6, and 1<=n<=1.5, M is a transition metal or a mixture of transition metals from the first period of the periodic table, M' is an element with fixed valency selected among Mg<2+>, Ca<2+>, Al<3+>, Zn<2+> or a combination of these same elements and X is chosen among S, P and Si, by bringing into equilibrium, in the required proportions, the mixture of precursors, with a gaseous atmosphere, the synthesis taking place by reaction and bringing into equilibrium, in the required proportions, the mixture of the precursors, the procedure comprising at least one pyrolysis step of the carbon source compound in such a way as to obtain a compound in which the electronic conductivity measured on a sample of powder compressed at a pressure of 3750 Kg.cm<-2 >is greater than 10<-8 >S.cm<-1>. The materials obtained have excellent electrical conductivity, as well a very improved chemical activity.

The process comprises the reduction of niobium and / or tantalum oxides by means of alkaline earth metals and / or rare earth metals, wherein the first reduction stage is carried out as far as an average composition corresponding to (Nb, Ta)Ox where x=0.5 to 1.5 and before the second stage the reduction product from the first stage is freed from alkaline earth oxides and / or rare earth metal oxides which are formed (and optionally from excess alkaline earth metal and / or rare earth metal) by washing with mineral acids.

A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) comprising nanoparticles formed on a surface of a nanowire formed on a substrate and a method of fabricating the same is disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a first substrate. A nanowire is formed on the first substrate. A plurality of nanoparticles is then contacted with a surface of the nanowire. The dye-sensitized solar cell further comprises a dye adsorbed onto a surface of the nanoparticles. A second substrate is corresponded to the first substrate. Finally, an electrolyte is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate, and in contact with the dye and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are bonded to the surface of nanowire to extend and increase surface contact with the dye for promoting cell efficiency (η) of the dye-sensitized solar cell.

The present invention provides a multi-component hybrid electrode for use in an electrochemical super-hybrid energy storage device. The hybrid electrode contains at least a current collector, at least an intercalation electrode active material storing lithium inside interior or bulk thereof, and at least an intercalation-free electrode active material having a specific surface area no less than 100 m2 / g and storing lithium on a surface thereof, wherein the intercalation electrode active material and the intercalation-free electrode active material are in electronic contact with the current collector. The resulting super-hybrid cell exhibits exceptional high power and high energy density, and long-term cycling stability that cannot be achieved with conventional supercapacitors, lithium-ion capacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium metal secondary batteries.

A composite composition for electrochemical cell electrode applications, the composition comprising multiple solid particles, wherein (a) a solid particle is composed of graphene platelets dispersed in or bonded by a first matrix or binder material, wherein the graphene platelets are not obtained from graphitization of the first binder or matrix material; (b) the graphene platelets have a length or width in the range of 10 nm to 10 μm; (c) the multiple solid particles are bonded by a second binder material; and (d) the first or second binder material is selected from a polymer, polymeric carbon, amorphous carbon, metal, glass, ceramic, oxide, organic material, or a combination thereof. For a lithium ion battery anode application, the first binder or matrix material is preferably amorphous carbon or polymeric carbon. Such a composite composition provides a high anode capacity and good cycling response. For a supercapacitor electrode application, the solid particles preferably have meso-scale pores therein to accommodate electrolyte.

The present invention provides an electrically conductive electrode comprising particles of an electroactive material and a conductive graphene polymer binder that bonds multiple particles of the electroactive material together, wherein the binder is in an amount of from 0.01% to 90% by weight based on the total electrode weight. Also provided are (a) a precursor solution or suspension to the graphene polymer binder for the electrode; (b) a paste containing electroactive particles and a graphene polymer dispersed in a liquid; (c) a method of producing the electrode from the precursor paste; and (d) an electrochemical cell (a battery or supercapacitor) containing such an electrode.

A flexible, asymmetric electrochemical cell comprising: (A) A sheet of graphene paper as first electrode comprising nano graphene platelets having a platelet thickness less than 1 nm, wherein the first electrode has electrolyte-accessible pores; (B) A thin-film or paper-like first separator and electrolyte; and (C) A thin-film or paper-like second electrode which is different in composition than the first electrode; wherein the separator is sandwiched between the first and second electrode to form a flexible laminate configuration. The asymmetric supercapacitor cells with different NGP-based electrodes exhibit an exceptionally high capacitance, specific energy, and stable and long cycle life.

An electrode for a capacitor includes a substrate comprising at least one of glassy carbon and a metal. According to various embodiments, the substrate may be provided as glassy carbon or any of a variety of metals for use in capacitors. The capacitor also includes an activated carbon material adjacent the substrate. The activated carbon layer includes oxygen-containing functional groups. A material is provided in contact with the activated carbon layer for providing enhanced capacitance for the electrode. Various types of capacitance-enhancing materials may be utilized, including carbon nanotubes and conductive metal oxides.

A solid amorphous electrolyte composition for a thin-film battery. The electrolyte composition includes a lithium phosphorus oxynitride material containing a sulfide ion dopant wherein the atomic ratio of sulfide ion to phosphorus ion (S / P) in the electrolyte ranges greater than 0 up to about 0.2. The composition is represented by the formula: where 2x+3y+2z=5+w, x ranges from about 3.2 to about 3.8, y ranges from about 0.13 to about 0.46, z ranges from greater than zero up to about 0.2, and w ranges from about 2.9 to about 3.3. Thin-film batteries containing the sulfide doped lithium oxynitride electrolyte are capable of delivering more power and energy than thin-film batteries containing electrolytes without sulfide doping.

Metal powder Ta and / or Nb, with or without one or metals from the group Ta, Nb, Ti, Mo, W, V, Zr and Hf, is made in a fine powder form by reduction of metal oxide by contact with a gaseous reducing agent, preferably an alkaline earth metal, to near complete reduction, leaching, further deoxidation and agglomeration, the powder so produced being sinterable to capacitor anode form and processable to other usages.

The present invention provides a battery or supercapacitor current collector which is prelithiated. The prelithiated current collector comprises: (a) an electrically conductive substrate having two opposed primary surfaces, and (b) a mixture layer of carbon (and / or other stabilizing element, such as B, Al, Ga, In, C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, Te, or a combination thereof) and lithium or lithium alloy coated on at least one of the primary surfaces, wherein lithium element is present in an amount of 1% to 99% by weight of the mixture layer. This current collector serves as an effective and safe lithium source for a wide variety of electrochemical energy storage cells, including the rechargeable lithium cell (e.g. lithium-metal, lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, lithium-air, lithium-graphene, lithium-carbon, and lithium-carbon nanotube cell) and the lithium ion based supercapacitor cell (e.g, symmetric ultracapacitor, asymmetric ultracapacitor, hybrid supercapacitor-battery, or lithium-ion capacitor).

A power system adapted for supplying power in a high temperature environment is disclosed. The power system includes a rechargeable energy storage that is operable in a temperature range of between about seventy degrees Celsius and about two hundred and fifty degrees Celsius coupled to a circuit for at least one of supplying power from the energy storage and charging the energy storage; wherein the energy storage is configured to store between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a joule and about one hundred megajoules of energy, and to provide peak power of between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a watt and about one hundred megawatts, for at least two charge-discharge cycles. Methods of use and fabrication are provided. Embodiments of additional features of the power supply are included.

A solvent composition comprising an organic solvent; dispersed nanoparticles; and a non-volatile electrolyte.

A multilayer electronic component includes a plurality of dielectric layers interleaved with a plurality of internal electrodes. Internal and / or external anchor tabs may also be selectively interleaved with the dielectric layers. Portions of the internal electrodes and anchor tabs are exposed along the periphery of the electronic component in respective groups. Each exposed portion is within a predetermined distance from other exposed portions in a given group such that termination structures may be formed by deposition and controlled bridging of a thin-film plated material among selected of the exposed internal conductive elements. Electrolytic plating may be employed in conjunction with optional cleaning and annealing steps to form directly plated portions of copper, nickel or other conductive material. Once an initial thin-film metal is directly plated to a component periphery, additional portions of different materials may be plated thereon.

A method for the self assembly of a macroscopic structure with a pre-formed nano object is provided. The method includes processing a nano object to a desired aspect ratio and chemical functionality and mixing the processed nano object with a solvent to form a suspension. Upon formation of the suspension, a substrate is inserted into the suspension. By either evaporation of the solvent, changing the pH value of the suspension, or changing the temperature of the suspension, the nano objects within the suspension deposit onto the substrate in an orientational order. In addition, a seed crystal may be used in place of the substrate thereby forming single-crystals and free-standing membranes of the nano-objects.

Nanostructured materials and photovoltaic devices including nanostructured materials are described. In one embodiment, a nanostructured material includes: (a) a first nano-network formed from a first set of nanoparticles; and (b) a second nano-network coupled to the first nano-network and formed from a second set of nanoparticles. At least one of the first set of nanoparticles and the second set of nanoparticles are formed from an indirect bandgap material. The nanostructured material is configured to absorb light to produce a first type of charge carrier that is transported in the first nano-network and a second type of charge carrier that is transported in the second nano-network. The nanostructured material has an absorption coefficient that is at least 103 cm−1 within a range of wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 700 nm.

A process for producing meso-porous nanocomposite electrode comprising nano-scaled graphene platelets. The process comprises: (A) providing nano-scaled graphene platelets, wherein each of the platelets comprises a single graphene sheet or a stack of multiple graphene sheets, and the platelets have an average thickness no greater than 100 nm (preferably less than 5 nm and most preferably less than 2 nm in thickness); (B) combining a binder material, the graphene platelets, and a liquid to form a dispersion; (C) forming the dispersion into a desired shape and removing the liquid to produce a binder-platelet mixture; and (D) treating the binder material under a desired temperature or radiation environment to convert the binder-platelet mixture into a meso-porous nanocomposite electrode, wherein the platelets are bonded by the binder and the electrode has electrolyte-accessible pores characterized in that the nanocomposite has a surface area greater than about 100 m2 / gm (preferably greater than 200 m2 / gm, more preferably greater than 500 100 m2 / gm, and most preferably greater than 1,000 m2 / gm). A supercapacitor featuring such a nanocomposite exhibits an exceptionally high capacitance value.

An energy conversion film and a quantum dot film which contain a quantum dot compound, an energy conversion layer including the quantum dot film, and a solar cell including the energy conversion layer. The films act as cut-off filters blocking light of a particular energy level using the light absorption and emission effects of quantum dots and can convert high energy light to low energy light. The efficiency of a solar cell may be improved by providing the cell with a film that converts light above the spectrum-responsive region to light in the cell's spectrum-responsive region. The absorption wavelength region of the films can be broadened by providing the quantum dot compound in a variety of average particle sizes, for example, by providing a mixture of a first quantum dot compound having a first average particle size and a first quantum dot compound having a second average particle size.

Panchromatic photosensitizers having a Formula of ML1L2X were synthesized, wherein M comprises ruthenium atom; X is a monodentate anion; L1 is heterocyclic bidentate ligand having one of formulae listed below:wherein G2 has one of formulae listed below:and L2 is a tridentate ligand having a formula listed below:The substituents R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 of L1 and L2 are the same or different, and represent alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino, halogenated alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl group, carboxylic acid or counter anion thereof, sulfonic acid or counter anion thereof, phosphoric acid or counter anion thereof, amino-group, halogens, or hydrogen. The above-mentioned photosensitizers are suitable to use as sensitizers for fabrication of high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cell.

Disclosed herein is a reduced graphene oxide doped with a dopant, and a thin layer, a transparent electrode, a display device and a solar cell including the reduced graphene oxide. The reduced graphene oxide doped with a dopant includes an organic dopant and / or an inorganic dopant.

The present invention is directed to the use of carbon nanotubes and / or electrolyte structures comprising ionic liquids in various electrochemical devices, such as ultracapacitors.

The invention provides bipolar articles (e.g., batteries and capacitors) with new architectures and methods of making and using the same. Articles are provided with interpenetrating anode and cathode structures that allow for improved power density, and arbitrary form factors that allow for formation in substantially any desired shape. The articles are useful for embedding or integral formation in various electronic devices to provide more efficient use of space in the devices. The articles optionally include self-organizing bipolar structures.