Aspen Aerogels, Inc.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

Silicon nanoparticles and methods for preparation of silicon nanoparticles are provided. Embodiments include a method for grinding silicon. Methods include providing silicon material, providing a grinding liquid including a polar solvent, and grinding the silicon material in the presence of the grinding liquid to yield silicon nanoparticles. Grinding the silicon in the presence of the grinding liquid can chemically functionalize the silicon material as the nanoparticles are formed to provide stable chemically functionalized nanoparticles.

The present disclosure is generally directed to composite particles which include a matrix material having an innate matrix porosity having matrix pores; and a plurality of additive particles disposed within the matrix material. The present disclosure is further directed to methods of preparing such composite particles.

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 a polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel may further include silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

The present disclosure is directed to silica-carbon composite materials including a low bulk density carbon material having a skeletal framework of carbon nanofibers, the skeletal framework forming a pore structure comprising an array of interconnected pores. The silica-carbon composite materials further include a conformal coating layer of silica on the carbon nanofibers. Further provided are methods for preparation of the silica-carbon composite materials, and methods for reduction of the silica-carbon composite materials to provide silicon-carbon composite materials.

The present disclosure discusses a system with a nanoporous carbon material with a pore structure and lithium metal disposed adjacent to the nanoporous carbon material. The present disclosure discussion includes an electrical energy storage device including at least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolyte comprising lithium ions, wherein the electrical energy storage device has a first cycle efficiency of at least 50% and a reversible capacity of at least 150 mAh/g.

Provided herein are composite materials for use in an electrical energy storage system (e.g., high-capacity batteries) and methods for preparing the same. The composite materials of the present disclosure comprise a three-dimensional carbon network and optional silicon particles. The composite materials further comprise macropores, at least some of which are formed by carbonizing sacrificial particles dispersed throughout a three-dimensional network. The macropores advantageously provide a space to accommodate the strain and stress in the electrode structure due to volume changes of silicon (particles) during charging and discharging of the electrical energy storage systems.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a sulfur-doped cathode material within a lithium-sulfur battery, where the cathode is collector-less and is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that surround elemental sulfur and accommodate expansion of the sulfur during conversion to lithium sulfide. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-sulfur battery.

Provided herein are composite materials for use in electrical energy storage systems (e.g., high-capacity batteries) and methods for preparing the same. The composite materials of the present disclosure include a plurality of covalently functionalized silicon particles and a polymer network. Individual silicon particles within the plurality of silicon particles are dispersed throughout the polymer network. Covalently attached functional groups to a surface of the plurality of the silicon particles enable dispersion of the silicon particles throughout the polymer network.

The present disclosure is directed to lithium-ion battery anodes and components thereof. Further provided are processes for the preparation of lithium-ion battery anodes. Such processes generally include preparation of a slurry including an anode material, a binder material, a conductive material, and a solvent. The anode material includes a carbon-silicon composite, and optionally, graphite.