QuantumScape has been granted a patent for processes involving catholytes used in electrochemical cells. These catholytes, which include specific lithium salts and solvents, prevent surface fluorination of lithium-stuffed garnet solid-state separators, enhancing the performance of the positive electrode in the cell. GlobalData’s report on QuantumScape gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on QuantumScape, Hydrogen storage alloys was a key innovation area identified from patents. QuantumScape's grant share as of July 2024 was 39%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Electrochemical cell with improved catholyte for lithium batteries
The patent US12074276B2 describes an innovative electrochemical cell designed for enhanced performance in energy storage applications. The cell features a positive electrode that includes a catholyte composed of various lithium salts, such as LiPF6 and lithium bis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide (LiBETI), combined with a first and second solvent, and a strong Lewis acid. The catholyte is characterized by a lithium salt concentration ranging from 0.5 M to 2.0 M, a viscosity of less than 15 mPa-s at 20°C, and a water content below 200 ppm. Additionally, the catholyte is a eutectic mixture that melts at temperatures below 0°C and exhibits a lithium ion conductivity greater than 10-5 S/cm at room temperature. The solid-state electrolyte is a lithium-stuffed garnet thin film, with a thickness between 10 nm and 500 µm, while the negative electrode consists of lithium metal.
The patent also outlines a process for manufacturing this electrochemical cell, which involves infiltrating a positive electrode with the specified catholyte and utilizing a sintered lithium-stuffed garnet solid-state separator. The process emphasizes the importance of the catholyte's properties, including its viscosity, water content, and conductivity, to ensure optimal performance. Furthermore, the claims detail the specific ratios of solvents and the types of strong Lewis acids that can be employed, such as trivalent phosphite or borate compounds. This technology is positioned to enhance the efficiency and reliability of rechargeable batteries, potentially leading to advancements in energy storage solutions.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on QuantumScape, buy the report here.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
