Claims:1. An electrode material, comprising,
a copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole;
a conductive additive; and a binder.

2. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein the conductive additive comprises a carbon-based material.

3. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein the conductive additive comprises at least one additive selected from carbon black, acetylene black, carbon nanotube, and graphene oxide.

4. The electrode material of claim1, comprises,
the copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole in a range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material;
the conductive additive in a range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material;
and the binder in a range from about 10 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material.

5. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein a cathode comprises the electrode material.

6. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein the binder is selected from poly(vinylidene) difluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, styrene butadiene rubber or combinations thereof.

7. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein the benzoquinone is unsubstituted 1,4-benzoquinone.

8. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein the pyrrole is unsubstituted pyrrole.

9. The electrode material of claim 1, wherein the electrode material is coated on a conducting substrate or used as a free-standing film.

10. A battery, comprising:
a cathode comprising a copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole, a conductive additive, and a binder;
an anode comprising a metal or a metal alloy, and
an electrolyte comprising a salt of the metal.

11. The battery of claim 10, wherein the anode is a metal selected from a monovalent or a divalent metal or an alloy of the metal.

12. The battery of claim 10, wherein the metal anode is a metal selected from lithium, magnesium, magnesium alloy or zinc.

13. The battery of claim 10, wherein the electrolyte is selected from lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in 1,3-dioxolane and dimethoxy ethane, lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate and dimethylcarbonate, Mg(HMDS)2-4MgCl2 in tetrahydrofuran and N-methyl-N-propyl-piperidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide, or zinc bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in acetonitrile.

14. The battery of claim 10, wherein the battery has a galvanostatic charge-discharge profile with stable plateau regions.

, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present application is related to the field of polymer electrodes. In particular, an embodiment of the invention relates to the batteries comprising the polymer electrodes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
High energy density batteries are desirable for grid energy storage, electric vehicles and other niche electronic devices. A number of electrode materials and electrolytes both organic and inorganic have been investigated for suitable energy storage application. These batteries operate based on alkali ion or alkaline earth ion based chemistries to provide good energy density.
Of these, smaller organic molecules based polymers have been deployed as electrodes to improve capacity of the battery and thus, high energy density. These have been augmented with non-aqueous electrolytes which provide a wide range of operating potential as well as a wide range of temperature over which the electrolyte is in liquid form, due to the addition of very many additives, solutes as well as other desired components that improve the property of these non-aqueous electrolytes. Thus, the use of polymeric electrodes in non-aqueous solutions are getting wide attention.
The state of art lithium ion batteries possesses constraint for large scale power applications owing to safety issue and cost. However, the high rate lithium ion batteries are of great interest for the hybrid electric vehicle applications and there is indeed an urgent need for the development of high rate long cycling lithium ion battery.
Multivalent metal ion batteries like magnesium or zinc can be used as alternates to lithium ion battery as they provide high energy densities owing to multi electron transfer process. However, there are limited studies on these batteries. A very few studies report high cycling stability and high rate performance for magnesium ion battery. Most of the reported inorganic materials suffer from poor cycling stability and low capacity due to interaction of magnesium ion with host lattice that leads to irreversible changes. Organic materials have advantage over them as the performance results from the interaction of the ions with the functional groups of the organic material. However, the common issues like dissolution of the organic material in the electrolyte, capacity fading with cycling, etc. hindered the progress of these systems. So far only a very few organic electrodes find their use in magnesium ion batteries and long cycling with high rate is yet to be achieved. Organic electrodes are rarely used in non-aqueous rechargeable zinc ion battery.
Karlsson et al. (Christoffer Karlsson, Hao Huang, Maria Strømme, Adolf Gogoll, Martin Sjödin, Electrochimica Acta, 179, 10 October 2015, Pages 336-342), reported ion-electron transport in quinone-pyrrole conducting redox polymers, wherein substituted pyrrole is electrochemically polymerized initially and then the redox moiety is introduced by subsequent chemical reaction and the in-situ conductivity measurements were reported on the same.
Yano et al (Yano, S., Sato, K., Suzuki, J. et al. Amorphous 2D materials containing a conjugated-polymer network, Commun Chem, 2, 97, 2019) in 2019 reported the formation of amorphous 2D materials containing conjugated polymer network comprising of polypyrrole and benzoquinone units. Pericyclic reactions under mild conditions of 60 degrees yielded random stacks of conjugated polymer layers. This reaction provided milder conditions for synthesis of conjugated polymer nanosheets for various catalytic applications. However, the electrochemical or electrical properties of the resultant nanomaterial was not explored in this paper.
One recent study reported in 2021 by Huang et al (Hao Huang, Maria Strømme, Adolf Gogoll, Martin Sjödin, Potential-tuning in quinone-pyrrole dyad-based conducting redox polymers, Electrochimica Acta, 389, 1 September 2021, 138758) explored the redox conducting polymer based on polypyrrole with quinone pendent units attached. The redox property was explained and use of the material in aqueous based batteries was reported. However, the synthesis of the conducting redox polymer was via Suzuki coupling involving a chemical reaction. Commercially available 1-(triisopropylsilyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-boronic acid and various bromo-hydroquinone derivatives were used to give the corresponding coupled hydroquinone-pyrrole dyads. These copolymer units were used as electrode materials for batteries where aqueous electrolytes were used.
There is still a need to develop electrodes that can be used in metal ion batteries to provide superior cycling stability and higher cycling rate, with good electrochemical stability of the device. The proposed polymer electrodes can address these drawbacks in the said battery systems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is an electrode material that includes a copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole; a conductive additive; and a binder.
Another object of the invention is a battery, having a cathode that includes a copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole, a conductive additive, and a binder; an anode comprising a metal or a metal alloy, and an electrolyte comprising a salt of the metal.
Yet another object of the invention is an electrode material for a rechargeable metal ion battery using the organic polymer material.
Another object of the invention is to manufacture an electrode material that includes a copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole; a conductive additive; and a binder.
Another object of the invention is a process to manufacture a secondary battery using either monovalent or divalent metal ions that provide good energy density and improved cycling stability using an electrode material comprising a copolymer comprising a benzoquinone and a pyrrole.
A further object of the invention is to provide a secondary battery electrode that can either be formed by coating the polymer material on a conductive substrate or rendered as a free standing film.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a non-aqueous secondary battery electrode material comprising copolymer of pyrrole-benzoquinone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows the results of various characterization carried out on the amorphous 2D benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a set of graphs depicting the cycling performance and Coulombic efficiency of a battery with a magnesium anode and a battery with a magnesium alloy anode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is a set of graphs showing the cycling performance and rate capability of a 2D benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer (2DQP-40) electrode with a magnesium alloy anode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a graph depicting the cycling performance and coulomb efficiency of 2D benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer (2DQP-40) electrode at 100 milliampere per gram (mA/g) current density for a zinc ion battery according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a graph depicting the cycling performance and coulomb efficiency of a 2D benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer (2DQP-40) electrode at 2000 milliampere per gram (mA/g) current density for a zinc ion battery according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a set of graphs depicting the galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles at 100 milliampere per gram (mA/g) current density and rate performance at different current densities for a lithium ion battery according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 is a drawing depicting the configuration of a battery according to an embodiment of the invention, showing the electrode coated on a substrate, and the electrode as a free-standing film.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments.
In the specification and the claims which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined to have the following meanings:
The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. “Substantially” means a range of values that is known in the art to refer to a range of values that are close to, but not necessarily equal to a certain value.
Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.

One embodiment of the invention is an electrode material. The electrode material includes a copolymer; a conductive additive; and a binder. The copolymer includes a benzoquinone and a pyrrole.
The electrode material includes a copolymer. In one embodiment of the present invention the electrode material includes a copolymer that includes a benzoquinone and a pyrrole. In another embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes an unsubstituted benzoquinone. In another embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes a substituted benzoquinone. In yet another embodiment the copolymer may include a benzoquinone that may mono substituted or may have more than one substituent. In another embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes substituent may include but is not limited to alkyl, aryl, halo groups. In an example embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes an unsubstituted benzoquinone.
The electrode material includes a copolymer. In one embodiment of the present invention the electrode material includes a copolymer that includes a pyrrole. In another embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes an unsubstituted pyrrole. In another embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes a substituted pyrrole. In yet another embodiment the copolymer may include a pyrrole that may mono substituted or may have more than one substituent. In another embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes substituent may include but is not limited to alkyl, aryl, halo groups. In an example embodiment of the present invention the copolymer includes an unsubstituted pyrrole.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the copolymer includes a benzoquinone and a pyrrole in a mole ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:3 and 3:1. In another one embodiment of the present invention, the copolymer includes a benzoquinone and a pyrrole in a mole ratio of 1:1.

In an embodiment of the present invention the copolymer is present in an amount in a range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material. In another embodiment of the present invention copolymer is present in an amount in a range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the conductive additive includes a carbon based additive. In another embodiment, the conductive additive includes at least one additive selected from carbon black, acetylene black, carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxide. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the conductive additive is acetylene black. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the conductive additive is carbon black. In an example embodiment, the carbon black may be Super P®.
In an embodiment of the invention the conductive additive is present in an amount in the range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material. In another embodiment of the invention the conductive additive is present in an amount in the range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material.
The electrode material includes a binder. In another embodiment, the binder includes at least one binder selected from poly(vinylidene) difluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, styrene butadiene rubber. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the binder is at least one selected from poly(vinylidene) difluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, styrene butadiene rubber.
In an embodiment of the invention the binder is present in an amount in the range from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material. In another embodiment of the invention the binder is present in an amount in the range from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of the electrode material.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the polymer electrode comprises about 3 to 6 parts of electrode material, about 3 to 6 parts of conductive additive, and about 1 part of binder. In one embodiment of the present invention the ratio of electrode material, conductive additive and binder is in a weight ratio of about 3:6:1, 4:5:1, 5:4:1 or 6:3:1. In yet another embodiment of the present invention ratio of electrode material, conductive additive and binder is in a weight ratio of about 4:5:1. Typically, in an example embodiment the electrode material includes the copolymer material in a range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent, the conductive additive in a range from about 30 weight percent to about 60 weight percent and at least 10 weight percent of the binder based on the total weight of the electrode material.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the polymer electrode comprises about 3 to 6 parts of polymer, about 3 to 6 parts of acetylene black carbon material, and about 1 part of poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polymer electrode comprises polymer, acetylene black carbon material, and poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in weight ratio of 3:6:1, 4:5:1, 5:4:1 or 6:3:1. In another embodiment of the present invention, the polymer electrode comprises polymer, acetylene black carbon material, and poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in weight ratio of 4:5:1.
In another embodiment of the present invention the electrode material may be coated on a conducting substrate. In yet another embodiment of the present invention the electrode material may be a free-standing film. In an embodiment of the present invention a battery includes a cathode that comprises electrode material.
One embodiment of the present invention describes a battery. The battery includes a cathode comprising a copolymer that includes a benzoquinone and a pyrrole, a conductive additive, and a binder, an anode, and an electrolyte. The anode includes a metal or a metal alloy and the electrolyte includes a salt of the metal.

In an embodiment of the present invention the anode includes a metal or a metal alloy wherein the metal may be selected from a monovalent or a divalent metal. In another embodiment of the present invention the anode includes a metal or a metal alloy wherein the metal may be selected from lithium, magnesium, or zinc.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the battery includes an electrolyte that may include a salt of the metal. In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte may be selected from lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in 1,3-dioxolane and dimethoxy ethane, lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate and dimethylcarbonate, Mg(HMDS)2-4MgCl2 in tetrahydrofuran and N-methyl-N-propyl-piperidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide, or zinc bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in acetonitrile.
In another embodiment, the polymer electrode material may be used as a cathode in a magnesium ion battery where the anode can be a magnesium metal or magnesium alloy- magnesium aluminum zinc foil (AZ31) and the electrolyte contains the magnesium salt Mg(HMDS)2-4MgCl2 in tetrahydrofuran and N-methyl-N-propyl-piperidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in 2:1 ratio (volume by volume).
In yet another embodiment, the polymer electrode material may be used as a cathode in a zinc ion battery where the anode may be a Zn metal and the electrolyte contains zinc bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in acetonitrile.
In yet another embodiment the polymer electrode material may be used as a cathode in a lithium ion battery where the anode may be a lithium metal and the electrolyte contains lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate in 1:1 ratio (weight by weight).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the polymer electrode comprises polymer, acetylene black carbon material, and poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in weight ratio of 3:6:1, 4:5:1, 5:4:1 or 6:3:1. In another embodiment of the present invention, the polymer electrode comprises polymer, acetylene black carbon material, and poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in weight ratio of 4:5:1.

In another embodiment of the present invention describes a process to manufacture an electrode material comprising a copolymer of benzoquinone and pyrrole, carbon additive and binder.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of preparation of the polymer cathode material is described. The method includes the steps of : taking benzoquinone with pyrrole in equal moles in separate containers inside a closed container at 60 degrees Celsius, mixing the benzoquinone and pyurrole to form a benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer, mixing the prepared benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer, conductive carbon and binder with a few drops of N-methyl pyrrolidone, coating the slurry on a conducting substrate, and drying in a vacuum oven at about 90 degrees Celsius for about 12 hours.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the free standing film electrodes were prepared by mixing the polymer, conductive carbon and binder intimately and then rolling to form a to film of desired thickness which then cut into required sizes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery is assembled in coin cell configuration using an electrode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as cathode, respective metal or metal alloy as anode and a separator containing the desired electrolyte.
The benzoquinone and pyrrole molecules can be used in pristine state or in substituted forms.
Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by way of the following examples.
Example 1:
Synthesis of two-dimensional benzoquinone-pyrrole polymer
The quasi-two-dimensional benzoquinone and pyrrole based copolymer (2DQP) according to an embodiment of the present invention, was prepared by a solid state synthesis method. The successive reaction between unsubstituted benzoquinone and pyrrole resulted in amorphous 2DQP wherein the reaction between substituted benzoquinone and pyrrole resulted in a single step product. The substituted benzoquinone-unsubstituted pyrrole and unsubstituted benzoquinone-substituted pyrrole hindered successive polymerization process.
Characterization of two-dimensional benzoquinone-pyrrole polymer
The prepared copolymer was characterized by X-ray diffraction, infra-red spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
The characterization results are shown in Figure 1. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the copolymer is shown in graph 102. The amorphous nature of the synthesized polymer was observed from the X-ray diffraction pattern with two broad peaks at 2? values ~24° and 41.5°. The infrared spectrum of the copolymer is shown in graph 104. The Infrared spectrum showed the expected bands corresponding to the benzoquinone-pyrrole copolymer. The formation of the copolymer was confirmed by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and the NMR spectrum is shown in graph 106. Scanning electron micrographs, such as that shown in Figure 108, showed the particulate morphology of the prepared copolymer. Figure 110 shows the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) mages of the copolymer, which showed the layered structure of the copolymer.
Quinone derivatives with a substituent at a-position and pyrrole resulted in a polypyrrole-quinone composite through oxidative polymerization.
Example 2:
Preparation of Magnesium Ion Battery (MIB)
A magnesium ion battery was prepared using the electrode material described in an embodiment of the present invention. Magnesium metal foil obtained from Goodfellow or magnesium alloy- magnesium aluminum zinc foil (AZ31) obtained from Alfa Aesar was used as the anode. The synthesized quasi-two-dimensional benzoquinone–pyrrole(2DQP) polymer was used as cathode material, to prepare a rechargeable Mg battery with electrolyte and Mg metal foil anode in coin cell configuration. The cathode was prepared by coating a mixture of 2DQP polymer, carbon, and binder on the surface of carbon paper conducting substrate. The polymer was in close contact with acetylene black carbon material using poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in weight ratio of 4:5:1. The free standing cathode film without conducting substrate was made from a mixture of polymer, carbon and binder polytetrafluoroethylene in the weight ratio 4:5:1. The salt of Mg(HMDS)2-4MgCl2 dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and N-methyl-N-propyl-piperidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide was an electrolyte in the ratio 2:1 (volume by volume). The cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of 2DQP-40 electrode for magnesium ion battery was tested.
Referring now to Figure 2, the results 200 of this testing are shown. The cycling performance for the battery with magnesium anode and a battery with magnesium alloy anode are shown in graphs 202 and 204 respectively. From these graphs, it was observed that after 1000 cycles at 100 milliamperes per gram current density, the magnesium anode battery retained 90.4 percent discharge capacity, while the magnesium alloy battery retained 80.85 percent discharge capacity. The magnesium anode battery showed a 92 percent coulombic efficiency, while the magnesium alloy battery showed a coulombic efficiency of 98 percent, as seen from graphs 202 and 204 respectively. The galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles show stable plateaus 210 and 212 between 2.1 and 1.1 V, for the batteries with magnesium anode and the battery with magnesium alloy anode as shown in graphs 206 and 208 respectively. These plateaus 210 and 212 suggest two step redox reaction of the quinone moiety present in the polymer electrode.
Additionally, the battery with magnesium alloy anode showed excellent rate capability as shown in graph 302. The magnesium alloy battery retained 94 percent and 68 percent discharge capacities after 1340 and 5000 cycles at 1000 and 2000 milliamperes per gram current density, with a coulombic efficiency of 99 percent, as seen from graphs 302 and 304 respectively, in Figure 3.
Example 3:
Preparation of Zinc Ion Battery (ZIB)
A zinc ion battery was prepared using the electrode material described in an embodiment of the present invention. The zinc metal anode was obtained from Alfa Aesar (Purity: 99.98%) and used as the anode. The cathode was prepared by coating a mixture of quasi-two-dimensional benzoquinone–pyrrole(2DQP) polymer, carbon and binder on the surface of carbon paper or stainless steel conducting substrate or a free standing film. The polymer (2DQP) was in close contact with acetylene black carbon material using poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in the ratio 4:5:1. The free standing cathode film without conducting substrate was made from a mixture of polymer, carbon and polytetrafluoroethylene binder in the weight ratio 4:5:1. The electrolyte was prepared by dissolving a salt of zinc bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in acetonitrile.
The cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of 2DQP-40 electrode for zinc ion battery were measured.
Referring now to Figure 4, the results 400 of this testing are shown. The cycling performance for the battery with zinc anode are shown. It was seen that the zinc ion battery retained 97.3 percent discharge capacity and 99 percent coulombic efficiency after 500 cycles at 100 milliamperes per gram current density, as seen in graph 400.
Referring now to Figure 5, which shows the cycling performance of the zinc ion battery after 20000 cycles at 2000 milliamperes per gram current density, it was observed that the battery retained about 86 percent discharge capacity and about 100 percent coulombic efficiency.
Example 4:
Preparation of Lithium Ion Battery (LIB)
A lithium ion battery was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lithium metal anode was obtained from Sigma Aldrich (purity: 99.9%) and used as the anode. The cathode was prepared by coating a mixture of quasi-two-dimensional benzoquinone–pyrrole(2DQP) polymer, carbon and binder on the surface of carbon paper conducting substrate. The polymer (2DQP) was in close contact with acetylene black carbon material using poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder in the ratio 4:5:1. The free standing cathode film without conducting substrate was made from a mixture of polymer, carbon and polytetrafluoroethylene binder in the weight ratio 4:5:1. The electrolyte was prepared by dissolving a salt of lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide in 1,3-dioxolane and dimethoxy ethane in the ratio 1:1 (volume by volume) or a salt of lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate in the ratio (weight by weight) 1:1.
The cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of 2DQP-40 electrode for lithium ion battery were measured.
Referring now to Figure 6, the results 600 of this testing are shown. The galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles and rate capability for the battery with lithium anode are shown in graphs 602 and 604 respectively. The coulombic efficiency was 93 percent at 100 milliamperes per gram current density for 1000 cycles. Excellent rate capability was observed even with a very high current density of 10000 milliamperes per gram. It was observed that the lithium ion battery retains 65 percent, 82 percent, 73.1 percent, and 71.7 percent discharge capacities at 100, 1000, 2000 and 10000 milliamperes per gram current density after 1000, 2000, 4000 and 2000 cycles, respectively.
Referring now to Figure 7, two designs of the battery is shown. Diagram 702 depicts the construction of a battery with the polymer electrode deposited on a substrate. The cells described in Examples 1 thorough 4 were constructed according to the configurations shown in figures 700a and 700b. The battery is assembled by placing a wave spring 702 adjacent to a spacer 704, which in turn is adjacent to a conducting substrate 706. The electrode material 708 is placed adjacent to the conducting substrate 706. The separator with electrolyte 710 is placed next to the electrode material 708, The metal or metal alloy anode 712 is then placed next to the separator with electrolyte 710, thus making up the battery shown in figure 700a. Similarly, in figure 700b, and battery constructed with a free-standing electrode film according to an embodiment of the present invention, I shown. Here, the battery is assembled by placing a wave spring 714 adjacent to a spacer 716, which in turn is adjacent to the free-standing electrode material 718. The separator with electrolyte 720 is placed next to the electrode material 718, The metal or metal alloy anode 722 is then placed next to the separator with electrolyte 720, thus making up the battery shown in figure 700b.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.