Vertical carbon nanotube and lithium ion battery chemistries, articles, architectures and manufacture

Abstract

Features for rechargeable lithium ion batteries, the batteries optionally employing vertically aligned carbon nanotube scaffolding, are described. Methods of manufacture and a solid polymer electrolyte are described for 3-dimensional battery architectures using the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. Poly(ethylene)oxide bis(azide) and graphene poly(lactic acid) composite coatings are also described for use in such batteries or others.

1 . An electrochemical cell, comprising:
 a substrate;   a negative electrode supported by the substrate, the negative electrode comprising a first assembly of carbon nanotubes supporting an anode active material coating each nanotube of the first assembly of carbon nanotubes;   a positive electrode supported by the substrate, the positive electrode comprising a second assembly of carbon nanotubes supporting a cathode active material coating each nanotube of the second assembly of carbon nanotubes; and   an electrolyte disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrolyte capable of conducting charge carriers,   wherein the first assembly of carbon nanotubes and the second assembly of carbon nanotubes are physically separated from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the negative electrode further comprises a first current collector and wherein the wherein the positive electrode further comprises a second current collector. 
     
     
         3 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 2 , wherein the first assembly of carbon nanotubes are vertically aligned on the first current collector of the negative electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 2 , wherein the first assembly of carbon nanotubes are directly grown on the first current collector of the negative electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 2 , wherein the second assembly of carbon nanotubes are vertically aligned on the second current collector of the positive electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 4 , wherein the second assembly of carbon nanotubes are directly grown on the second current collector of the positive electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the negative electrode and the positive electrode are interlaced. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the negative electrode and the positive electrode are interlaced within the same plane. 
     
     
         9 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 7 , wherein the interlaced negative electrode and positive electrode are fabricated using a laser. 
     
     
         10 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the anode active material is deposited on the first assembly of carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         11 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode active material is deposited on the second assembly of carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         12 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the anode active material comprises silicon. 
     
     
         13 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode active material comprises sulfur.