High Energy Composite Cathodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

"Physical Sciences Inc. proposes the fabrication of novel composite cathode materials for lithium ion batteries based on vanadium pentoxide and conducting polymers. These composite electrodes are expected to utilize the polyvalent intercalation capabilitiesof V2O5, allowing access to all four of the available valence states in the active material. Currently, the high capacity available in V2O5 can not be accessed due to a capacity fade mechanism driven by concentration polarization and an irreversible phasechange induced at high current loads. Access to all four valence states will be accomplished by implementing conducting polymers that will maintain electronic conductivity in the V2O5 system through all of its low conductivity phases. Utilizing theamorphous xerogel phase of V2O5 and the additional mechanical support provided by the conducting polymer is expected to resist detrimental phase changes and increase cycle life. Batteries constructed with the proposed composite cathode material willexhibit energy densities greater than 400 Wh/kg and approach 40,000 cycles with little capacity fade. These composites will be made through simple sol-gel processes yielding a cathode material hydro-gel that is air stable and amenable to standard rollfabrication processes common to the battery industry. This effort will demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing a V2O5 / conducting polymer composite as a high capacity, high energy cathode material