Electrochemical cell having a surface modified electrode and associated fabrication process

Abstract

An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell comprising a current collecting substrate, an active material associated with the substrate; and a surface modifying component applied to at least a portion of the active material, wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at least one of the group consisting essentially of lithium niobates and lithium tantalates. A process for manufacturing an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of associating a surface modifying component with an active material, modifying the surface of the active material, fabricating a first electrode by applying the surface modified active material to a current collecting substrate, fabricating a second electrode, and associating at least one electrolyte with the first and second electrodes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell comprising: 
 a current collecting substrate;    an active material associated with the substrate; and    a surface modifying component applied to at least a portion of the active material, wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at least one of the group consisting essentially of lithium niobates and lithium tantalates.    
     
     
         2 . The electrode according to    claim 1   , further comprising means for increasing the compatibility of the electrode with an associated electrolyte.  
     
     
         3 . The electrode according to    claim 2   , wherein the compatibility increasing means comprises the surface modifying component.  
     
     
         4 . The electrode according to    claim 1   , wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at least one lithium niobate species having the chemical structure Li x NbO y , wherein x and y range from about 1 to 5.  
     
     
         5 . The electrode according to    claim 1   , wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at lest one lithium tantalate species having the chemical structure Li x TaO y , wherein x and y range from about 1 to 5.  
     
     
         6 . The electrode according to    claim 1   , wherein the surface modifying component is in a crystalline or glassy state.  
     
     
         7 . The electrode according to    claim 1   , wherein the surface modifying component is doped with at least one carbonaceous particle.  
     
     
         8 . The electrode according to    claim 1   , wherein the surface modifying component is doped with at least one of the group consisting essentially of transition metal oxides, metal oxides, non-metal oxides, rare earth metal oxides, and metal phosphates, sulfates, and sulfides.  
     
     
         9 . An electrochemical cell comprising: 
 an electrolyte;    a first electrode and a second electrode wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises:    a current collecting substrate;    an active material associated with the substrate; and    a surface modifying component applied to at least a portion of the active material, wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at least one of the group consisting essentially of lithium niobates and lithium tantalates.    
     
     
         10 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 9   , further comprising means for increasing the compatibility of the electrode with the electrolyte.  
     
     
         11 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 10   , wherein the compatibility increasing means includes the surface modifying component.  
     
     
         12 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 9   , wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at least one lithium niobate species having the chemical structure Li x NbO y , wherein x and y range from about 1 to 5.  
     
     
         13 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 9   , wherein the surface modifying component is fabricated from at lest one lithium tantalate species having the chemical structure Li x TaO y , wherein x and y range from about 1 to 5.  
     
     
         14 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 9   , wherein the surface modifying component is in a crystalline or glassy state.  
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 9   , wherein the surface modifying component is doped with at least one carbonaceous particle.  
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical cell according to    claim 9   , wherein the surface modifying component is doped with at least one of the group consisting essentially of transition metal oxides, metal oxides, non-metal oxides, rare earth metal oxides, and metal phosphates, sulfates, and sulfides.  
     
     
         17 . A process for manufacturing an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of: 
 associating a surface modifying component with an active material;    modifying the surface of the active material;    fabricating a first electrode by applying the surface modified active material to a current collecting substrate;    fabricating a second electrode; and    associating at least one electrolyte with the first and second electrodes.    
     
     
         18 . The process according to    claim 17   , wherein the step of associating the surface modifying component includes the steps of: 
 dissolving at least one of a lithium niobate species and a lithium tantalate species in a solvent and, in turn, preparing a solution;    applying the prepared solution to at least a portion of the active material; and    substantially removing the solvent from the solution.    
     
     
         19 . The process according to    claim 18   , wherein the step of preparing the solution includes the step of doping the solution with at least one carbonaceous species.  
     
     
         20 . The process according to    claim 18   , wherein the step of preparing the solution includes the step of doping the solution with at least one of the group of transition metal oxides, non-metal oxides, rare earth metal oxides, and metal phosphates, sulfates, and sulfides.