Advanced Lithium Anodes for Li/Air and Li/Water Batteries
Abstract
PolyPlus Battery Company has developed glass protected lithium anodes that are chemically stable and electrochemically active in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte. This innovation enables the development of both primary and secondary lithium batteries having exceptionally high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities. The gravimetric capacity of lithium is 3800 mAh/g and the open circuit potential for lithium/water and lithium/air couples is more than 3 volts resulting in theoretical energy densities greater than 11,000 Wh/kg. The theoretical energy density for the Zn/air couple is about 900 Wh/kg while practical cells are on the order of 300 Wh/kg (~30% of theo.). Assuming that engineering of the Li/air chemistry also results in practical cells having 30% of theoretical energy density then one would predict practical batteries having greater than 3000 Wh/kg. This represents an order of magnitude improvement over existing commercial cells and until recently thought to be attainable only using fuel cell technology. Accordingly the following statement of work is targeted at defining the parameters of operation for glass protected lithium anodes. This information can then be used to project performance of protected Li anodes used in combination with existing air electrode technology for advanced Li/air batteries. If successful a subsequent program will be launched to determine the actual performance of protected Li anodes in batteries having commercial and developmental air electrodes. The actual Li/air performance will then be projected into BA 5590 battery packs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 05, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA441240
Entities
People
- Steven J. Visco