Stabilized lithium metal powder for li-ion application, composition and process

Abstract

The present invention provides a lithium metal powder protected by a wax. The resulting lithium metal powder has improved stability and improved storage life.

1 . A stabilized lithium metal powder coated with a wax. 
     
     
         2 . The stabilized lithium metal powder of  claim 1 , wherein the wax has a thickness of 20 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilized lithium metal powder of  claim 2 , wherein the wax is selected from the group consisting of natural waxes, synthetic waxes, petroleum waxes, and microcrystalline waxes. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilized lithium metal powder of  claim 3 , further comprising an inorganic coating. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilized lithium metal powder of  claim 4 , wherein the inorganic coating is selected from the group consisting of Li 2 CO 3 , LiF, Li 3 PO 4 , SiO 2 , Li 4 SiO 4 , LiAlO 2 , Li 2 TiO 3 , and LiNbO 3 . 
     
     
         6 . An anode comprising a host material capable of absorbing or desorbing lithium in an electrochemical system wherein the stabilized lithium metal of  claim 1  is dispersed in the host material. 
     
     
         7 . An anode comprising a host material capable of absorbing or desorbing lithium in an electrochemical system wherein the stabilized lithium metal of  claim 3  is dispersed in the host material. 
     
     
         8 . The anode of  claim 6 , wherein said host material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbonaceous materials, silicon, tin, tin oxides, composite tin alloys, transition metal oxides, lithium metal nitrides, graphite, carbon black, and lithium metal oxides. 
     
     
         9 . The anode of  claim 7 , wherein said host material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbonaceous materials, silicon, tin, tin oxides, composite tin alloys, transition metal oxides, lithium metal nitrides, graphite, carbon black, and lithium metal oxides. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilized lithium metal powder according to  claim 1 , wherein said powder has a mean diameter of from 10 μm to 200 μm in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. 
     
     
         11 . The stabilized lithium metal powder according to  claim 1 , wherein said powder has a mean diameter of from 10 μm to 200 μm in gamma-butyrolactone. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a lithium dispersion comprising the steps of:
 a) contacting lithium metal powder with a hydrocarbon oil;   b) heating the lithium metal powder and hydrocarbon oil to a temperature higher than the melting point of the lithium metal powder;   c) subjecting the heated lithium metal powder and hydrocarbon oil to conditions sufficient to disperse the lithium metal powder in the oil; and   d) contacting the lithium metal powder with a wax at a temperature between the melting point of the lithium metal powder and the melting point of the wax.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wax has a thickness of 20 nm to 200 nm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrocarbon oil is selected from the group consisting of petroleum oils, shale oils, and paraffin oils. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a lithium dispersion comprising the steps of:
 a) contacting lithium metal powder with a hydrocarbon oil;   b) heating the lithium metal powder and hydrocarbon oil to a temperature higher than the melting point of the lithium metal powder;   c) adding a dispersant and a coating reagent;   d) subjecting the heated lithium metal powder and hydrocarbon oil to conditions sufficient to disperse the lithium metal powder in the oil; and   e) contacting the lithium metal powder with a wax at a temperature between the melting point of the lithium metal powder and the melting point of the wax.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the wax has a thickness of 20 nm to 200 nm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising an inorganic coating.