CARBON AEROGEL-BASED ELECTRODE MATERIALS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF

Abstract

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

Description

Claims

1. A carbon composition comprising: a framework of interconnected carbon structures defining a corresponding network of pores;a silicon-based material; andwherein the carbon composition is characterized by a specific surface area attributable to micropores, wherein an upper specific micropore surface area is less than about 92 m2/g.

2. The carbon composition of claim 1, characterized by a total specific surface area is less than 575 m2/g.

3. The carbon composition of claim 1, wherein a content of the silicon-based material in the carbon composition is from 9 % to 64%.

4. The carbon composition of claim 1, characterized by a specific pore volume of from 1.5 to 3.6 cubic centimeter (cm3)/gram (g).

5. The carbon composition of claim 1, characterized by an average specific pore volume of from 1.15 cm3/g to 5.34 cm3/g.

6. The carbon composition of claim 1, wherein the carbon composition is a monolithic carbon composition free of a binder material.

7. The carbon composition of claim 1, wherein the carbon composition is a particulate carbon.

8. The carbon composition of claim 1, wherein the framework of interconnected carbon structures further comprises a network of carbon fibrils, wherein at least some of the carbon fibrils of the network have a fibril width of from 2 nm to 10 nm.

9. The carbon composition of claim 1, wherein the framework of interconnected carbon structures further comprises a network of carbon fibrils, wherein at least some of the carbon fibrils of the network have a fibril width of from 2 nm to 5 nm.

10. The carbon composition of claim 1, further comprising a porosity of from 10 volume (vol.) % to 70 vol. %.

11. The carbon composition of claim 1, wherein the full width at half max of the maximum pore size peak is from 5 nm to 50 nm.

12. The carbon composition of claim 1, having a Young’s Modulus is from 0.27 GPa to 8.26 GPa and a density is from 0.3 g/cc to 0.74 g/cc.

13. An energy storage system comprising at least one electrode that includes the carbon composition of claim 1.

14. The energy storage system of claim 13, further comprising an additive disposed within at least a portion of pores of the at least one electrode, the additive reducing an electrical resistance of the at least one electrode.

15. A carbon composition comprising: a framework of interconnected carbon structures defining a corresponding network of pores; andan electroactive species; andwherein the carbon composition is characterized by a specific surface area attributable to micropores less than 62 m2/g.

16. The carbon composition of claim 15, wherein the carbon composition is characterized by a total specific surface area is of less than 255 m2/g.

17. The carbon composition of claim 15, wherein the electroactive species comprises silicon.

18. The carbon composition of claim 15, wherein the electroactive species comprises graphite.

19. The carbon composition of claim 15, wherein the electroactive species comprises lithium.

20. An energy storage system comprising at least one electrode that includes the carbon composition of claim 15.

21. The energy storage system of claim 20, further comprising an additive disposed within at least a portion of pores of the at least one electrode, the additive reducing an electrical resistance of the at least one electrode.