NOVEL SOLID REDOX POLYMERIZATION ELECTRODES - ALL-SOLID-STATE, THIN-FILM, RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES

Lithium batteries using solid redox polymerization electrodes (SRPEs) maintain the inherent advantages of all-solid-state, thin-film systems while overcoming some of the limitations of using intercalation compounds as positive electrode (i.e., insufficient rate capability and capacity utilization). Laboratory Li/PEO/SRPE cells have demonstrated higher power capability, energy density, and capacity utilization than analogous Li/PEO/TiS2 cells. One of the Li/PEO/SRPE cells has achieved 350 cycles from 50 to 93-degrees-C with a sustained energy density of 160 Wh/kg (190 Wh/l), power density of 120 W/kg (140 W/l), and 40-75% capacity utilization of the polymerization electrode. At 100-degrees-C, power densities of over 1800 W/kg (2200 W/l) at energy densities of 140 Wh/kg (170 Wh/l) have been achieved with up to 96% utilization of cathode capacity. At ambient temperatures (35-degrees-C), the cells can be discharged at a current density of 250-mu-A/cm2, achieving a film capacity of 0.5 C/cm2.