GB2587327A

GB2587327A - Electroactive materials for use in metal-Ion batteries

Info

Publication number: GB2587327A
Application number: GB1913069.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A Mason Charles; Gregory Taylor Richard
Original assignee: Nexeon Ltd
Current assignee: Nexeon Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-10
Filing date: 2019-09-10
Publication date: 2021-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-10
Also published as: GB201913069D0; GB2587327B

Abstract

A particulate material consists of a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a conductive porous particle framework including micropores and/or mesopores having a total pore volume between 0.4 - 2.2 cm3/g; (b) a plurality of electroactive material domains disposed within the conductive porous particle framework; and (c) a lithium-ion permeable filler penetrating the pores of the porous conductive particle framework and disposed intermediate the electroactive material and the exterior of the composite particles. The electroactive material may comprise Si, Sn, Ge and/or Al, and preferably comprises Si nanoscale domains. The conductive porous particles are preferably carbon but may comprise porous metal oxides (e.g. titanium oxide) instead. Preferably, the PD50 pore diameter of the porous particle framework is no more than 10 nm. The filler may be a conductive pyrolytic carbon material or a Li-ion permeable solid electrolyte. The filler may also comprise a coating over at least part of the outer surface of the composite particles. The composite particles are preferably used as an anode material in a rechargeable metal-ion battery.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1913069.9 RTM Date:28 November 2019 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Micromeritics, Quantachrome, ThermoFisher Scientific, Leco, Malvern, Mastersizer, Malvern Instruments and Ketjen Black Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo Electroactive Materials for use in Metal-Ion Batteries This invention relates to a process for preparing composite particles comprising an electroactive material and a lithium-ion permeable filler material within a porous carbon framework. The composite particles provide improved performance when used as electroactive materials in rechargeable metal-ion batteries.

Rechargeable metal-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones and laptop computers. Rapid developments in electric and hybrid vehicle technology also represent a significant new market for high-performance rechargeable batteries. The anode of a metal-ion battery typically comprises a metal current collector provided with a layer of an electroactive material (which is defined herein as a material which is capable of inserting and releasing metal ions during the charging and discharging of a battery). When a metal-ion battery is charged, metal ions are transported from the metal-ion-containing cathode layer via the electrolyte and are inserted into the anode material.

Conventional lithium-ion batteries use graphite as the electroactive material in the anode. When a graphite-containing anode is charged, lithium intercalates between the graphite layers to form a material with the empirical formula Li"C6 (wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1). This means that graphite has a maximum theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g in a lithium-ion battery, with a practical capacity that is somewhat lower (ca. 340 to 360 mAh/g). The development of portable electronics and electric vehicles with high energy demands means that there is a need for electroactive materials that provide an improvement in the gravimetric and volumetric capacity of graphite.

Materials such as silicon, fin and germanium have a significantly higher capacity for inserted lithium atoms than graphite. Silicon in particular has been identified as a promising alternative to graphite for the manufacture of rechargeable metal-ion batteries having high gravimetric and volumetric capacities because of its very high capacity for lithium (see, for example, Insertion Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries, Winter, M. et al. in Adv. Mater. 1998, 10, No. 10). At room temperature, silicon has a theoretical maximum specific capacity in a lithium-ion battery of about 3,600 mAh/g (based on Li15SI4)* The high specific capacity of silicon is accompanied by large volumetric changes on charging and discharging. Intercalation of lithium into bulk silicon leads to an increase in the volume of the silicon material of up to 400% of its original volume. Repeated charge-discharge cycles therefore cause significant mechanical stress in the silicon material, resulting in fracturing and delaminafion of the silicon anode material and deformation of other battery components. The contraction of silicon particles upon delithiation can result in a loss of electrical contact between the anode material and the current collector. A further problem is that a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer forms on fresh silicon surfaces during the initial charging cycle as a result of electrolyte deposition. This SEI layer does not have sufficient mechanical tolerance to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the silicon and delaminates from the silicon surface. Newly exposed silicon surfaces then lead to further electrolyte decomposition and increased thickness of the SEI layer and irreversible consumption of lithium. These failure mechanisms collectively result in an unacceptable loss of electrochemical capacity over successive charging and discharging cycles.

A number of approaches have been proposed to overcome the problems associated with the volume change observed when charging silicon-containing anodes. One approach is to use some form of finely structured silicon as the electroactive material. Fine silicon structures below around 150 nm in cross-section, such as silicon films and silicon nanoparticles, are more tolerant of volume changes on charging and discharging when compared to silicon particles in the micron size range. However, neither of these is particularly suitable for commercial scale applications in their unmodified form; nanoscale particles are difficult to prepare and handle and silicon films do not provide sufficient bulk capacity. The relatively high surface area of finely structured silicon also results in unacceptable capacity loss on the first charging cycle due to excessive SEI formation.

To address the need for high capacity electroactive materials, the present applicant has proposed a composite material in which an electroactive material, such as silicon, is deposited in the pores of a porous conductive material (e.g. a carbon-containing porous material, such as an activated carbon material). It has been found that through careful control of the total pore volume, the pore size distribution of the porous conductive material, and the degree of occupancy of the pore volume by the electroactive material, it is possible to obtain a material with controlled expansion properties, limited SEI formation, and high reversible capacity retention. These composite materials therefore provide the beneficial charge-discharge properties of nanoscale silicon particles while avoiding the handling difficulties and capacity loss associated with nanoparticles.

The present application relates to a further development of the composite material described above, in which a lithium-ion permeable filler material is used to fill vacant pore volume remaining after an electroactive material, such as silicon, has been deposited into the pores of a porous framework material.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a particulate material consisting of a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a conductive porous particle framework comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the micropores and/or mesopores have a total pore volume in the range from 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; (b) a plurality of nanoscale electroactive material domains disposed within the conductive porous particle framework; (c) a lithium-ion permeable filler material penetrating the pores of the conductive porous particle framework and disposed intermediate the nanoscale electroactive domains and the exterior of the composite particles.

The invention thus relates to a particulate material in which the structure of the composite particles is defined by a conductive porous particle framework, such as a porous carbon particle framework; an electroactive material is disposed in the pores of the conductive porous particle framework; and a lithium-ion permeable filler is situated in the pore volume remaining between the nanoscale electroactive material domains and the exterior of the composite particles. Thus, in general, the electroactive material is located more towards the centre of the conductive porous particle framework, and the lithium-ion permeable filler is located more towards the external boundary of the particles.

As used herein, the term "lithium ion permeable" refers to an ionically conductive material which allows the transport of lithium ions from the exterior of the composite particles to the nanoscale electroactive material domains. Preferably, the lithium-ion permeable filler material is impermeable to liquids, such as the solvents of liquid electrolytes.

By reducing the surface area of the composite particles and by sealing the nanoscale electroactive material domains away from electrolyte access, the use of the lithium-ion permeable filler provides an improvement in the performance of the composite particles when used as an electroactive material for lithium-ion batteries. In particular, the use of the lithium-ion filler reduces SEI formation by reducing the surface area of the composite particles and by preventing contact between the electrolyte and the nanoscale electroactive material domains in the particle interior. A reduction in the surface area of the composite particles also has the effect of reducing the amount of binder that is needed to form an electrode active layer comprising the composite particles. Excess binder is known to contribute to a reduction in rate performance. A further advantage of the invention is that the filler contributes to improved compressive strength of the composite particles by providing structural reinforcement to the conductive porous particle framework. The particulate material of the invention is also associated with various manufacturing advantages which are described below in further detail.

The conductive porous particle framework comprises a three-dimensionally interconnected open pore network comprising micropores and/or mesopores and optionally a minor volume of macropores. In accordance with conventional IUPAC terminology, the term "micropore" is used herein to refer to pores of less than 2 nm in diameter, the term "mesopore" is used herein to refer to pores of 2-50 nm in diameter, and the term "macropore" is used to refer to pores of greater than 50 nm diameter.

In the absence of any indication to the contrary, references herein to the volume of micropores, mesopores and macropores in the conductive porous particle framework, and also any references to the distribution of pore volume within the conductive porous particle framework, relate to the internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework measured in isolation -i.e. as measured in the absence of any electroactive materials or lithium-ion permeable fillers occupying the pore volume.

The conductive porous particle framework is characterised by a total volume of micropores and mesopores (i.e. the total pore volume in the range from 0 to 50 nm) in the range from 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g. Typically, the conductive porous particle framework includes both micropores and mesopores. It is not excluded that conductive porous particle frameworks may be used which include micropores and no mesopores, or mesopores and no micropores. However, it is preferred that the conductive porous particle framework contains at least some micropores.

More preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is at least 0.45 cm3/g, or at least 0.5 cm3/g, at least 0.55 cm3/g, or at least 0.6 cm3/g, or at least 0.65 cm3/g, or at least 0.7 cm3/g, or at least 0.75 cm3/g, or at least 0.8 cm3/g, at least 0.85 cm3/g, or at least 0.9 cm3/g, or at least 0.95 cm3/g, or at least 1 cm3/g. More preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is at least 0.7, or at least 0.75, or at least 0.8, or at least 0.85.The use of a high porosity carbon framework is advantageous since it allows a larger amount of silicon to be accommodated within the pore structure, and it has been found that high porosity carbon frameworks in which the pore volume is predominantly in the form of micropores and smaller mesopores have sufficient strength to accommodate the volumetric expansion of the silicon without fracturing or otherwise degrading the porous carbon framework.

The internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework is suitably capped at a value at which increasing fragility of the conductive porous particle framework outweighs the advantage of increased pore volume accommodating a larger amount of the electroactive material. Preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is no more than 2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.8 cm3/g, or no more than 1.6 cm3/g, or no more than 1.5 cm3/g, or no more than 1.45 cm3/g, or no more than 1.4 cm3/g, or no more than 1.35 cm3/g, or no more than 1.3 cm3/g, or no more than 1.25 cm3/g, or no more than 1.2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.1 cm3/g, or no more than 1.0 cm3/g, or no more than 0.9 cm3/g. More preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is no more than 1.2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.1 cm3/g, or no more than 1.0 cm3/g, or no more than 0.9 cm3/g.

In some examples, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework may be in the range from 0.6 to 1.4 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.65 to 1.4 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.7 to 1.4 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.75 to 1.4 cm3/g or in the range from 0.6 to 1.3 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.65 to 1.3 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.7 to 1.3 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.75 to 1.3 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.6 to 1.2 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.65 to 1.2 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.7 to 1.2 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.75 to 1.2 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.6 to 1 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.65 to 1 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.7 to 1 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.75 to 1 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.6 to 0.9 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.65 to 0.9 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.7 to 0.9 cm3/g, or in the range from 0.75 to 0.9 cm3/g.

The PD50 pore diameter of the conductive porous particle framework is preferably no more than 10 nm, or no more than 8 nm, or no more than 6 nm, or no more than 5 nm, or no more than 4 nm, or no more than 3 nm, or no more than 2.5 nm, or no more than 2 nm, or no more than 1.5 nm. The term "PD50 pore diameter' as used herein refers to the volume-based median pore diameter, based on the total volume of micropores and mesopores (i.e. the pore diameter below which 50% of the total micropore and mesopore volume is found).

Therefore, in accordance with the invention, at least 50% of the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is preferably in the form of pores having a diameter of less than 8 nm.

For the avoidance of doubt, any macropore volume (pore diameter greater than 50 nm) is not taken into account for the purpose of determining PD50 values.

The volumetric ratio of micropores to mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework may range in principle from 100:0 to 0:100. Preferably, the volumetric ratio of micropores to mesopores is from 90:10 to 55:45, or from 90:10 to 60:40, or from 85:25 to 65:35.

The pore size distribution of the conductive porous particles may be monomodal, bimodal or multimodal. As used herein, the term "pore size distribution" relates to the distribution of pore size relative to the cumulative total internal pore volume of the conductive porous particles. A bimodal or multimodal pore size distribution may be preferred since close proximity between micropores and pores of larger diameter provides the advantage of efficient ionic transport through the porous network to the silicon.

The total volume of micropores and mesopores and the pore size distribution of micropores and mesopores are determined using nitrogen gas adsorption at 77 K down to a relative pressure p/po of 10-6 using quenched solid density functional theory (QSDFT) in accordance with standard methodology as set out in ISO 15901-2 and ISO 15901-3. Nitrogen gas adsorption is a technique that characterizes the porosity and pore diameter distributions of a porous material by allowing a gas to condense in the pores of a solid. As pressure increases, the gas condenses first in the pores of smallest diameter and the pressure is increased until a saturation point is reached at which all of the pores are filled with liquid. The nitrogen gas pressure is then reduced incrementally, to allow the liquid to evaporate from the system. Analysis of the adsorption and desorption isotherms, and the hysteresis between them, allows the pore volume and pore size distribution to be determined. Suitable instruments for the measurement of pore volume and pore size distributions by nitrogen gas adsorption include the TriStar II and TriStar II Plus porosity analyzers, which are available from Micromerifics Instrument Corporation, USA, and the Autosorb IQ porosity analyzers, which are available from Quantachrome Instruments.

Nitrogen gas adsorption is effective for the measurement of pore volume and pore size distributions for pores having a diameter up to 50 nm, but is less reliable for pores of much larger diameter. For the purposes of the present invention, nitrogen adsorption is therefore used to determine pore volumes and pore size distributions only for pores having a diameter up to and including 50 nm (i.e. only for micropores and mesopores). PD50 are likewise determined relative to the total volume of micropores and mesopores only.

In view of the limitations of available analytical techniques it is not possible to measure pore volumes and pore size distributions across the entire range of micropores, mesopores and macropores using a single technique. In the case that the conductive porous particle framework comprises macropores, the volume of pores having diameter in the range from greater than 50 nm and up to 100 nm may be measured by mercury porosimetry and is preferably no more than 0.3 cms/g, or no more than 0.20 crns/g, or no more than 0.1 crnsig, or no more than 0.05 cm3/g. More preferably, the volume of pores having diameter in the range from greater than 50 nm and up to 100 nm is preferably no more than 20%, or no more than 10%, or no more than 5%, or no more than 2%, or no more than 1%, or no more than 0.5% of the total volume of micropores and mesopores.

A small fraction of macropores may be useful to facilitate electrolyte access into the pore network, but the advantages of the invention are obtained substantially by accommodating silicon in micropores and smaller mesopores.

Any pore volume measured by mercury porosimetry at pore sizes of 50 nm or below is disregarded (as set out above, nitrogen adsorption is used to characterize the mesopores and micropores). Pore volume measured by mercury porosimetry above 100 nm is assumed for the purposes of the invention to be inter-particle porosity and is also disregarded.

Mercury porosimetry is a technique that characterizes the porosity and pore diameter distributions of a material by applying varying levels of pressure to a sample of the material immersed in mercury. The pressure required to intrude mercury into the pores of the sample is inversely proportional to the size of the pores. Values obtained by mercury porosimetry as reported herein are obtained in accordance with ASTM U0P578-11, with the surface tension y taken to be 480 mN/m and the contact angle p taken to be 1400 for mercury at room temperature. The density of mercury is taken to be 13.5462 g/cm3 at room temperature. A number of high precision mercury porosimetry instruments are commercially available, such as the AutoPore IV series of automated mercury porosimeters available from Micromeritics Instrument Corporation, USA. For a complete review of mercury porosimetry reference may be made to P.A. Webb and C. Orr in "Analytical Methods in Fine Particle Technology, 1997, Micromerifics Instrument Corporation, ISBN 0-9656783-0.

It will be appreciated that intrusion techniques such as gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry are effective only to determine the pore volume of pores that are accessible to nitrogen or to mercury from the exterior of the conductive porous particle framework. Porosity values specified herein shall be understood as referring to the volume of open pores, i.e. pores that are accessible to a fluid from the exterior of the conductive porous particles. Fully enclosed pores which cannot be identified by nitrogen adsorption or mercury porosimetry shall not be taken into account herein when determining porosity values. Likewise, any pore volume located in pores that are so small as to be below the limit of detection by nitrogen adsorption is not taken into account.

The conductive porous particle framework is preferably a conductive porous carbon particle framework. The conductive porous carbon particle framework preferably comprises at least wt% carbon, more preferably at least 90 wt% carbon, more preferably at least 95 wt% carbon, and optionally at least 98 wt% or at least 99 wt% carbon. The carbon may be crystalline carbon or amorphous carbon, or a mixture of amorphous and crystalline carbon. The conductive porous carbon particle framework may be derived from hard carbon porous particles or soft carbon porous particles.

As used herein, the term "hard carbon" refers to a disordered carbon matrix in which carbon atoms are found predominantly in the sp2 hybridised state (trigonal bonds) in nanoscale polyaromatic domains. The polyaromatic domains are cross-linked with chemical bonds, e.g. a C-O-C bond. Due to the chemical cross-linking between the polyaromatic domains, hard carbons cannot be converted to graphite at high temperatures. Hard carbons have graphite-like character as evidenced by the large G-band (-1600 cm-1) in the Raman spectrum. However, the carbon is not fully graphitic as evidenced by the significant D-band (-1350 cm-1) in the Raman spectrum.

As used herein, the term "soft carbon" also refers to a disordered carbon matrix in which carbon atoms are found predominantly in the sp2 hybridised state (trigonal bonds) in polyaromatic domains having dimensions in the range from 5 to 200 nm. In contrast to hard carbons, the polyaromatic domains in soft carbons are associated by intermolecular forces but are not cross-linked with a chemical bond. This means that they will graphifise at high temperature. The conductive porous carbon particles preferably comprise at least 50% sp2 hybridised carbon as measured by XPS. For example, the conductive porous carbon particles may suitably comprise from 50% to 98% sp2 hybridised carbon, from 55% to 95% sp2 hybridised carbon, from 60% to 90% sp2 hybridised carbon, or from 70% to 85% sp2 hybridised carbon.

A variety of different materials may be used to prepare suitable conductive porous carbon frameworks via pyrolysis. Examples of organic materials that may be used include plant biomass including lignocellulosic materials (such as coconut shells, rice husks, wood etc.) and fossil carbon sources such as coal. Examples of resins and polymeric materials which form porous carbon particles on pyrolysis include phenolic resins, novolac resins, pitch, melamines, polyacrylates, polystyrenes, polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and various copolymers comprising monomer units of acrylates, styrenes, a-olefins, vinyl pyrrolidone and other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. A variety of different carbon materials may be obtained depending on the starting material and the conditions of the pyrolysis process. Porous carbon particles of various different specifications are available from commercial suppliers.

Porous carbon particles may undergo a chemical or gaseous activation process to increase the volume of mesopores and micropores. A suitable activation process comprises contacting pyrolyzed carbon with one or more of oxygen, steam, CO, CO2 and KOH at a temperature in the range from 600 to 1000 °C. Mesopores can also be obtained by known templating processes, using extractable pore formers such as MgO and other colloidal or polymer templates which can be removed by thermal or chemical means post pyrolysis or activation.

Alternatives to carbon-based conductive particle frameworks include porous metal oxides, such as oxides of titanium having the formula TiO. where x has a value greater than 1 and less than 2.

The conductive porous particle framework preferably has a BET surface area of at least 750 m2/g, or at least 1,000 m2/g, or at least 1,250 m2/g, or at least 1,500 m2/g. The term "BET surface area" as used herein should be taken to refer to the surface area per unit mass calculated from a measurement of the physical adsorption of gas molecules on a solid surface, using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory, in accordance with ISO 9277. Preferably, the BET surface area of the conductive porous particle framework is no more than 4,000 m2/g, or no more than 3,500 m2/g, or no more than 3,250 m2/g, or no more than 3,000 m2/9.

The electroactive material in the composite particles is preferably selected from silicon, tin, germanium, aluminium and mixtures thereof. A preferred electroactive material is silicon.

The composite particles may have a range of different electroactive material loadings. For example, the amount of electroactive material in the composite particles may be selected such that at least 20% and as much as 60% or more of the internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework is occupied by the electroactive material. For example, the electroactive material may occupy from 25% to 55%, or from 25% to 50%, or from 30% to 45%, or from 30% to 40% of the internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework. Within these preferred ranges, the pore volume of the conductive porous carbon particle framework is effective to accommodate expansion of the electroactive material during charging and discharging, but avoids excess pore volume which does not contribute to the volumetric capacity of the core-shell composite particles. However, the amount of electroactive material is also not so high as to impede effective lithiation due to inadequate metal-ion diffusion rates or due to inadequate expansion volume resulting in mechanical resistance to lithiation.

In the case that the electroactive material is silicon, the amount of silicon in the composite particles can be correlated to the available pore volume by the requirement that the mass ratio of silicon to the conductive porous particle framework is in the range from [0.5xP1 to 1.3xP1] : 1, wherein P1 is a dimensionless quantity having the magnitude of the total pore volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particles, as expressed in cm3/9 (e.g. if the porous carbon particles have a total volume of micropores and mesopores of 1.2 crn3/g, then P1 = 1.2). This relationship takes into account the density of silicon and the pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework to define a weight ratio of silicon at which the pore volume is around 20% to 55% occupied.

In the case that the electroactive material is silicon, the amount of silicon in the composite particles, preferably comprise from 0.35 wt% to 0.65 wt% of silicon, or from 0.4 wt% to 0.6 wt% silicon, or from 0.45 wt% to 0.55 wt% silicon.

Preferred composite particles include a conductive carbon porous particle framework, wherein the composite particles comprise at least 80 wt%, or from 80 to 98 wt% in total of silicon and carbon.

The amount of silicon in the composite particles can be determined by elemental analysis.

Preferably, elemental analysis is used to determine the weight percentage of carbon (and optionally hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen) in the porous carbon particles alone and in the silicon-containing composite particles. Determining the weight percentage of carbon in the in the porous carbon particles alone takes account of the possibility that the porous carbon particles contain a minor amount of heteroatom. Both measurements taken together allow the weight percentage of silicon relative to the porous carbon particles to be determined reliably.

The silicon content is preferably determined by ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry). A number of ICP-OES instruments are commercially available, such as the CAPO 7000 series of ICP-OES analysers available from ThermoFisher Scientific. The carbon content of the composite particles and of the porous carbon particle framework alone (as well as the hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content if required) are preferably determined by IR absorption. A suitable instrument for determining carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content is the TruSpecO Micro elemental analyser available from Leco Corporation.

Preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, even more preferably at least 98 wt% of the electroactive material mass in the composite particles is located within the internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework such that there is no or very little electroactive material located on the external surfaces of the composite particles.

The particulate materials of the invention can be further characterised by their performance under thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in aft. Preferably the particulate material contains no more than 10% unoxidised silicon at 800 °C as determined by TGA in air with a temperature ramp rate of 10 °C/min. More preferably the particulate material contains no more than 5% or no more than 2% unoxidised silicon at 800 °C as determined by TGA in air with a temperature ramp rate of 10 °C/min.

The determination of the amount of unoxidised silicon is derived from the characteristic TGA trace for these materials. A mass increase at ca. 300-500 °C corresponds to initial oxidation of silicon to 5i02, and is followed by mass loss at ca. 500-600 °C as carbon is oxidised to CO2 gas. Above ca. 600 °C, there is a further mass increase corresponding to the continued conversion of silicon to Si02 which increases toward an asymptotic value above 1000 °C as silicon oxidation goes to completion.

For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that any mass increase above 800 °C corresponds to the oxidation of silicon to Si02 and that the total mass at completion of oxidation is Si02. This allows the percentage of unoxidised silicon at 800 °C as a proportion of the total amount of silicon to be determined according to the following formula: Z= 1 875 x [(Mr -M800) Mr] x100% Wherein Z is the percentage of unoxidized silicon at 800 °C, Mf is the mass of the sample at completion of oxidation and M300 is the mass of the sample at 800 °C.

Without being bound by theory, it is understood that the temperature at which silicon is oxidised under TGA corresponds broadly to the length scale of the oxide coating on the silicon due to diffusion of oxygen atoms through the oxide layer being thermally activated. The size of the silicon nanostructure and its location limit the length scale of the oxide coating thickness. Therefore it is understood that silicon deposited in micropores and mesopores will oxidise at a lower temperature than deposits of silicon on a particle surface due to the necessarily thinner oxide coating existing on these structures. Accordingly, preferred materials according to the invention exhibit substantially complete oxidation of silicon at low temperatures consistent with the small length scale of silicon nanostructures that are located in micropores and smaller mesopores. For the purposes of the invention, silicon oxidation at 800 °C is assumed to be silicon on the external surfaces of the conductive porous particle framework.

The composite particles preferably have a low total oxygen content. Oxygen may be present in the composite particles for instance as part of the conductive porous particle framework or as an oxide layer on any exposed silicon surfaces. Preferably, the total oxygen content of the conductive porous particle framework and the electroactive material is less than 15 wt%, more preferably less than 10 wt%, more preferably less than 5 wt%, for example less than 2 wt%, or less than 1 wt%, or less than 0.5 wt%. In the case that the filler material contains oxygen, the total oxygen content of the composite particles is preferably less than 25 wt%, or less than 20 wt%, more preferably less than 15 wt%, for example less than 12 wt%, or less than 10 wt%.

The lithium-ion permeable filler material may be selected from any material which allows the transport of lithium ions but which is preferably impermeable to solvent molecules, such as the solvents of liquid electrolytes. Preferably, the lithium-ion permeable filler material is electrochemically stable at < 0.1 V vs. Li/Li+.

Optionally, the lithium-ion permeable filler material may be a conductive pyrolytic carbon material. A conductive pyrolytic carbon filler may be obtained by heating precursor composite particles (comprising the conductive porous particle framework and the electroactive material) in the presence of a suitable pyrolytic carbon precursor vapour as discussed in further detail below.

Optionally, the conductive pyrolytic carbon material is an amorphous carbon material in which carbon atoms are found predominantly in the sp2 hybridised state (trigonal bonds) in polyaromafic domains having dimensions in the range of 5-200 nm. The conductive pyrolytic carbon material preferably comprises at least 50% sp2 hybridised carbon as measured by XPS. For example, the porous carbon framework may suitably comprise from 50% to 98% sp2 hybridised carbon, from 55% to 95% sp2 hybridised carbon, from 60% to 90% sp2 hybridised carbon, or from 70% to 85% sp2 hybridised carbon.

Alternatively, the lithium-ion permeable filler material may be a lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte. Examples of suitable lithium permeable solid electrolytes include: garnet-type solid electrolytes (including "LLZO" electrolytes such as Li7La3Zr2012 and Li6.5La3Ti0.5Z11.5012); perovskite-type solid electrolytes (including "LLTO" electrolytes such as Li0.33La0.57TiO3); LISICON-type solid electrolytes, NaSICON-type solid electrolytes (such as Lit 3A10.31i1.7(PO4)3); lithium phosphorous oxy-nitride (LiPON) solid electrolytes; Li3N-type solid electrolytes; lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) solid electrolytes, lithium titanate (Li4Ti5012) solid electrolytes; lithium tantalate (LiTa03) solid electrolytes; sulfide-type solid electrolytes; argyrodite-type solid electrolytes; and anti-perovskite-type solid electrolytes. Variants (e.g. including dopants) and combinations of these electrolyte types are also included.

The lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte may also form a coating over at least a portion of the outer surface of the porous carbon framework.

The use of electronically conductive fillers is particularly advantageous since it improves the rate performance of the composite particles when used as electroactive materials in lithium-ion batteries. The rate performance of the composite particles is determined at least in part by the rate of lithium ion migration from an electrolyte into the bulk of the composite particles, prior to insertion into the nanoscale electroactive material domains. The use of a lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte is advantageous since it may act as a rapid-transport system into the bulk of the composite particles during charging of a lithium-ion battery. A conductive pyrolytic carbon material is similarly advantageous since it improves electronic transport into and out of the bulk of the composite particles. This again helps to improve the rate performance of the composite particles.

The composite particles preferably have a D50 particle diameter in the range from 1 to 30 pm. Optionally, the D50 particle diameter of the composite particles may be at least 1.5 pm, or at least 2 pm, or at least 2.5 pm, or at least 3 pm, or at least 4 pm, or at least pm. Preferably, the D50 particle diameter of the composite particles is at least 2.5 pm, or at least 3 pm. Optionally the D50 particle diameter of the composite particles may be no more than 25 pm, or no more than 20 pm, or no more than 18 pm, or no more than 15 pm, or no more than 12 pm, or no more than 10 pm, or no more than 8 pm, or no more than 7 pm, or no more than 6 pm, or no more than 5 pm. Preferably, the D50 particle diameter of the composite particles is no more than 10 pm, or no more than 8 pm, or no more than 7 pm, or no more than 6 pm, or no more than 5 pm.

For instance, the composite particles may have a D50 particle diameter in the range from 1 to 25 pm, or from 1 to 20 pm, or from 1 to 15 pm, or from or from 1 to 10 pm, or from 1 to 8 pm, or from 2 to 20 pm, or from 2 to 15 pm, or from 2 to 10 pm, or from 2 to 8 pm, or from 2 to 6 pm, or from 3 to 15 pm, or from 3 to 10 pm, or from 3 to 8 pm, or from 3 to 6 pm, or from 3 to 5 pm or from 4 to 12 pm, or from 4 to 10 pm, or from 4 to 8 pm or from 4 to 6 pm.

Particles within these size ranges and having porosity and a pore diameter distribution as set out herein are ideally suited for the preparation of composite particles for use in anodes for metal-ion batteries by a fluidized bed process. Not only do these particles provides good fluidization properties throughout the deposition process, but the composite particles thus formed have good dispersibility in slurries, structural robustness, high capacity retention over repeated charge-discharge cycles, and are suitable for forming dense electrode layers of uniform thickness in the conventional thickness range from 20 to 50 pm.

The D10 particle diameter of the composite particles is preferably at least 0.5 pm, or at least 0.8 pm, or at least 1 pm, or at least 1.5 pm, or at least 2 pm. By maintaining the D10 particle diameter at 0.5 pm or more, the potential for undesirable agglomeration of sub-micron sized particles is reduced, resulting in improved dispersibility of the composite particles in slurries used for electrode manufacture.

The D90 particle diameter of the composite particles is preferably no more than 40 pm, or no more than 30 pm, or no more than 25 pm, or no more than 20 pm, or no more than 15 pm.

The use of larger conductive porous particles as the starting material complicates separation of the composite particles from the particulate additive. It also results in non-uniform forming packing of the composite particles in electrode active layers, thus disrupting the formation of dense electrode layers, particularly electrode layers having a thickness in the range from 20 to 50 pm.

More preferably, the D98 particle diameter of the conductive porous particles is no more than pm, or no more than 30 pm, or no more than 25 pm, or no more than 20 pm.

The composite particles preferably have a narrow size distribution span. For instance, the particle size distribution span (defined as (D90-D10)/D50) is preferably 5 or less, more preferably 4 or less, more preferably 3 or less, more preferably 2 or less, and most preferably 1.5 or less. By maintaining a narrow size distribution span, efficient packing of the particles into dense electrode layers is more readily achievable.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "particle diameter" as used herein refers to the equivalent spherical diameter (esd), i.e. the diameter of a sphere having the same volume as a given particle, wherein the particle volume is understood to include the volume of any intra-particle pores. The terms "D50" and "D80 particle diameter' as used herein refer to the volume-based median particle diameter, i.e. the diameter below which 50% by volume of the particle population is found. The terms "D10" and "Di0 particle diameter" as used herein refer to the 10th percentile volume-based median particle diameter, i.e. the diameter below which 10% by volume of the particle population is found. The terms "D90" and "D90 particle diameter" as used herein refer to the 90th percentile volume-based median particle diameter, i.e. the diameter below which 90% by volume of the particle population is found.

Particle diameters and particle size distributions can be determined by standard laser diffraction techniques in accordance with ISO 13320:2009. Laser diffraction relies on the principle that a particle will scatter light at an angle that varies depending on the size the particle and a collection of particles will produce a pattern of scattered light defined by intensity and angle that can be correlated to a particle size distribution. A number of laser diffraction instruments are commercially available for the rapid and reliable determination of particle size distributions. Unless stated otherwise, particle size distribution measurements as specified or reported herein are as measured by the conventional Malvern MastersizerT" 3000 particle size analyzer from Malvern Instruments. The Malvern MastersizerTM 3000 particle size analyzer operates by projecting a helium-neon gas laser beam through a transparent cell containing the particles of interest suspended in an aqueous solution. Light rays which strike the particles are scattered through angles which are inversely proportional to the particle size and a photodetector array measures the intensity of light at several predetermined angles and the measured intensities at different angles are processed by a computer using standard theoretical principles to determine the particle size distribution.

Laser diffraction values as reported herein are obtained using a wet dispersion of the particles in distilled water. The particle refractive index is taken to be 3.50 and the dispersant index is taken to be 1.330. Particle size distributions are calculated using the Mie scattering model The composite particles preferably have a BET surface area of no more than 200 m2/g, or no more than 150 m2/g, or no more than 100 m2/g, or no more than 80 m2/g, or no more than 60 m2/g, or no more than 40 m2/g, or no more than 30 m2/g, or no more than 25 m2/g, or no more than 20 m2/g, or no more than 15 m2/g, or no more than 10 m2/g. In general, a low BET surface area is preferred in order to minimize the formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers at the surface of the composite particles during the first charge-discharge cycle of an anode. However, a BET surface area which is excessively low results in unacceptably low charging rate and capacity due to the inaccessibility of the bulk of the electroactive material to metal ions in the surrounding electrolyte. For instance, the BET surface area of the composite particles is preferably at least 0.1 m2/g, or at least 1 m2/g, or at least 2 m2/g, or at least 5 m2/g. For instance, the BET surface area may be in the range from 1 m2/g to 25 m2/g, more preferably in the range from 2 to 15 m2/g.

The measurable volume of micropores and mesopores of the composite particles (i.e. in the presence of the electroactive material and the lithium-ion permeable filler) is significantly less than the total pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework, due to occupancy of the pores. Preferably, the total measurable volume of micropores and mesopores of the composite particles, as measured by nitrogen gas adsorption, is no more than (0.15 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.10 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.05 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.02 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.01 x P1) cm3/g, wherein P1 is as defined above.

The composite particles may optionally include a conductive coating which is different from the lithium-ion permeable filler material. For instance, the conductive coating may be a conductive carbon coating. A conductive carbon coating may be used with a composite particle comprising a lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte as the filler material.

Alternatively, in the case that the filler material is a conductive pyrolytic carbon filler material, the conductive carbon coating may be a different type of conductive pyrolytic carbon to the filler material, for example it may be formed from different carbon-containing precursors.

Suitably a conductive carbon coating may be obtained by a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method. The thickness of the carbon coating may suitably be in the range from 2 to 30 nm. Optionally, the carbon coating may be porous and/or may only cover partially the surface of the composite particles.

A carbon coating has the advantages that it further reduces the BET surface area of the particulate material by smoothing any surface defects and by filling any remaining surface microporosity, thereby further reducing first cycle loss. In addition, a carbon coating improves the conductivity of the surface of the composite particles, reducing the need for conductive additives in the electrode composition, and also creates an optimum surface for the formation of a stable SEI layer, resulting in improved capacity retention on cycling.

The composite particles preferably have a specific charge capacity on first lithiation of 1200 to 2340 mAh/g. Preferably, the silicon-containing composite particles have a specific charge capacity on first lithiafion of at least 1400 mAh/g.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition comprising a particulate material according to the first aspect of the invention and at least one other component. In particular, the particulate material of the first aspect of the invention may be used as a component of an electrode composition. The particulate material used to prepare the electrode composition of the second aspect of the invention may have any of the features described as preferred or optional with regard to the first aspect of the invention.

The at least one other component may be selected from: (i) a binder; OD a conductive additive; and (iii) an additional particulate electroacfive material.

The compositions of the invention suitably comprise from 1 to 95 wt%, or from 2 to 90 wt%, or from 5 to 85 wt%, or from 10 to 80 wt% of the particulate material according to the first aspect of the invention, based on the total dry weight of the composition.

For example, the composition may be a hybrid electrode composition which comprises a particulate material according to the first aspect of the invention and at least one additional particulate electroactive material. Examples of additional particulate electroactive materials include graphite, hard carbon, silicon, germanium, gallium, aluminium and lead. The at least one additional particulate electroactive material is preferably selected from graphite and hard carbon, and most preferably the at least one additional particulate electroactive material is graphite.

Preferably, the at least one additional particulate electroactive material is selected from graphite particles having a D50 particle diameter in the range from 10 to 50 pm.

The electrode composition may optionally comprise a binder. A binder functions to adhere the electrode composition to a current collector and to maintain the integrity of the electrode composition. Examples of binders which may be used in accordance with the present invention include polyacrylic acid (PAA) and alkali metal salts thereof, and modified polyacrylic acid (mPAA) and alkali metal salts thereof, SBR and CMC. The binder may suitably be present in an amount of from 0.5 to 20 wt%, preferably 1 to 15 wt% and most preferably 2 to 10 wt%, based on the total dry weight of the electrode composition.

The electrode composition may optionally comprise one or more conductive additives. Preferred conductive additives are non-electroactive materials which are included so as to improve electrical conductivity between the electroactive components of the electrode composition and between the electroactive components of the electrode composition and a current collector. The conductive additives may suitably be selected from carbon black, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, acetylene black, ketjen black, metal fibers, metal powders and conductive metal oxides. Preferred conductive additives include carbon black and carbon nanotubes.

The one or more conductive additives may suitably be present in a total amount of from 0.5 to 20 wt%, preferably 1 to 15 wt% and most preferably 2 to 10 wt%, based on the total dry weight of the electrode composition.

In a third aspect, the invention provides an electrode comprising a particulate material as defined with reference to the first aspect of the invention in electrical contact with a current collector. The particulate material used to prepare the electrode of the third aspect of the invention may have any of the features described as preferred or optional with regard to the first aspect of the invention.

As used herein, the term current collector refers to any conductive substrate which is capable of carrying a current to and from the electroactive particles in the electrode composition. Examples of materials that can be used as the current collector include copper, aluminium, stainless steel, nickel, titanium and sintered carbon. Copper is a preferred material. The current collector is typically in the form of a foil or mesh having a thickness of between 3 to 500 pm. The particulate materials of the invention may be applied to one or both surfaces of the current collector to a thickness which is preferably in the range from 10 pm to 1 mm, for example from 20 to 500 pm, or from 50 to 200 pm.

Preferably, the electrode comprises an electrode composition as defined with reference to the second aspect of the invention in electrical contact with a current collector. The electrode composition may have any of the features described as preferred or optional with regard to the second aspect of the invention.

The electrode of the third aspect of the invention may suitably be fabricated by combining the particulate material of the invention (optionally in the form of the electrode composition of the invention) with a solvent and optionally one or more viscosity modifying additives to form a slurry. The slurry is then cast onto the surface of a current collector and the solvent is removed, thereby forming an electrode layer on the surface of the current collector. Further steps, such as heat treatment to cure any binders and/or calendaring of the electrode layer may be carried out as appropriate. The electrode layer suitably has a thickness in the range from 20 pm to 2 mm, preferably 20 pm to 1 mm, preferably 20 pm to 500 pm, preferably 20 pm to 200 pm, preferably 20 pm to 100 pm, preferably 20 pm to 50 pm.

The electrode of the third aspect of the invention may be used as the anode of a metal-ion battery. Thus, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a rechargeable metal-ion battery comprising an anode, the anode comprising an electrode as described above, a cathode comprising a cathode active material capable of releasing and reabsorbing metal ions; and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode.

The metal ions are preferably lithium ions. More preferably the rechargeable metal-ion battery of the invention is a lithium-ion battery, and the cathode active material is capable of releasing and lithium ions.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides the use of a particulate material as defined with reference to the first aspect of the invention as an anode active material. Preferably, the particulate material is in the form of an electrode composition as defined with reference to the second aspect of the invention.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a composite material, the process comprising: (a) providing a plurality of conductive porous particles comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the micropores and/or mesopores have a total pore volume in the range from 0.4 to 2.2 crns/g; (b) depositing an electroactive material selected from silicon, tin, aluminium, germanium and alloys thereof into the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon frameworks using a chemical vapour infiltration process, wherein the deposited electroactive material partially occupies the pore volume of the conductive porous particles; (c) depositing a lithium-ion permeable filler material into some or all of the remaining pore volume of the conductive porous particles.

The process of the invention therefore provides composite particles as described above, wherein the conductive porous particles form a framework for an electroactive material and for a lithium-ion permeable filler.

A particular advantage of the process of the invention is that it allows for the use of a conductive porous particles having porosity above that which is required in the final product. By filling the residual pore volume with the lithium-ion permeable filler, the final effective occupancy of the pore volume by the electroactive material is equivalent to that which would be obtained by using porous particles of lower porosity without a filler, while the surface area of the composite particles is also reduced. Obtaining a relatively higher degree of occupancy of a low porosity material requires the CVI conditions to be controlled to favour a low deposition rate of the electroactive material, resulting in low manufacturing throughput. The process of the invention allows for CVI conditions that favour an increased deposition rate while the CV! process is stopped before high occupancy of the pore volume is obtained. This allows for increased process control and higher throughput. The use of ionically-or electronically-conductive materials as the lithium-ion permeable filler provides further advantages in respect. The invention therefore provides a process which allows these composite materials to be prepared on a scale which is suitable for commercial manufacture and which provides a high quality product with uniformity of composition and performance.

In accordance with the sixth aspect of the invention, the conductive porous particles used in step (a) form the conductive porous particle framework in the particles of the first aspect of the invention. Therefore, the conductive porous particles in step (a) may have any of the properties described above with regard to the conductive porous particle framework in the first aspect of the invention. The conductive porous particles in step (a) are therefore to be considered equivalent to the conductive porous particle framework in the composite particles described above and any and all properties of the conductive porous particle framework described herein shall be regarded as applying to the conductive porous particles in the fifth aspect of the invention.

Thus, the conductive porous particles comprise a three-dimensionally interconnected open pore network comprising micropores and/or mesopores and optionally a minor volume of macropores.

The total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particles is preferably at least 0.45 cm3/g, or at least 0.5 cm3/g, at least 0.55 cm3/g, or at least 0.6 cm3/g, or at least 0.65 cm3/g, or at least 0.7 cm3/g, or at least 0.75 cm3/g, or at least 0.8 cm3/g, at least 0.85 cm3/g, or at least 0.9 cm3/g, or at least 0.95 cm3/g, or at least 1 cm3/g. More preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is at least 0.7 cm3/g, or at least 0.75 cm3/g, or at least 0.8 cm3/g, or at least 0.85 cm3/g.

Preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particles is no more than 2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.8 cm3/g, or no more than 1.6 cm3/g, or no more than 1.5 cm3/g, or no more than 1.45 cm3/g, or no more than 1.4 cm3/g, or no more than 1.35 cm3/g, or no more than 1.3 cm3/g, or no more than 1.25 cm3/g, or no more than 1.2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.1 cm3/g, or no more than 1.0 cm3/g, or no more than 0.9 cm3/g. More preferably, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particles is no more than 1.2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.1 cm3/g, or no more than 1.0 cm3/g, or no more than 0.9 cm3/g.

In some examples, the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particles may be in the range from 0.6 to 1.4, or in the range from 0.65 to 1.4, or in the range from 0.7 to 1.4, or in the range from 0.75 to 1.4 or in the range from 0.6 to 1.3, or in the range from 0.65 to 1.3, or in the range from 0.7 to 1.3, or in the range from 0.75 to 1.3 or in the range from 0.6 to 1.2, or in the range from 0.6510 1.2, or in the range from 0.7 to 1.2, or in the range from 0.75 to 1.2, or in the range from 0.6 to 1, or in the range from 0.65 to 1, or in the range from 0.7 to 1, or in the range from 0.75 to 1, or in the range from 0.610 0.9, or in the range from 0.65 to 0.9, or in the range from 0.7 to 0.9, or in the range from 0.75 to 0.9.

The PD50 pore diameter of the conductive porous particles is preferably no more than 10 nm, or no more than 8 nm, or no more than 6 nm, or no more than 5 nm, or no more than 4 nm, or no more than 3 nm, or no more than 2.5 nm, or no more than 2 nm, or no more than 1.5 nm The volumetric ratio of micropores to mesopores in the conductive porous particles may range in principle from 100:0 to 0:100. Preferably, the volumetric ratio of micropores to mesopores is from 90:10 to 55:45, or from 90:10 to 60:40, or from 85:25 to 65:35.

The pore size distribution of the conductive porous particles may be monomodal, bimodal or multimodal.

In the case that the conductive porous particles comprise macropores, the volume of pores having diameter in the range from greater than 50 nm and up to 100 nm may be measured by mercury porosimetry and is preferably no more than 0.3 cm3/g, or no more than 0.20 cm3/g, or no more than 0.1 cm3/g, or no more than 0.05 cm3/g. More preferably, the volume of pores having diameter in the range from greater than 50 nm and up to 100 nm is preferably no more than 20%, or no more than 10%, or no more than 5%, or no more than 2%, or no more than 1%, or no more than 0.5% of the total volume of micropores and mesopores.

The conductive porous particles are preferably porous carbon particles as defined above with respect to the conductive porous particle framework of the first aspect of the invention.

The conductive porous particles preferably have a BET surface area of at least 750 m2/g, or at least 1,000 m2/g, or at least 1,250 m2/g, or at least 1,500 m2/g. The term "BET surface area" as used herein should be taken to refer to the surface area per unit mass calculated from a measurement of the physical adsorption of gas molecules on a solid surface, using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory, in accordance with ISO 9277. Preferably, the BET surface area of the conductive porous particles is no more than 4,000 m2/g, or no more than 3,500 m2/g, or no more than 3,250 m2/g, or no more than 3,000 m2/g.

The conductive porous preferably have a D50 particle diameter in the range from 1 to 30 pm. Optionally, the D50 particle diameter of the composite particles may be at least 1.5 pm, or at least 2 pm, or at least 2.5 pm, or at least 3 pm, or at least 4 pm, or at least 5 pm. Preferably, the D50 particle diameter of the conductive porous particles is at least 2.5 pm, or at least 3 pm. Optionally the D50 particle diameter of the conductive porous particles may be no more than 25 pm, or no more than 20 pm, or no more than 18 pm, or no more than 15 pm, or no more than 12 pm, or no more than 10 pm, or no more than 8 pm, or no more than 7 pm, or no more than 6 pm, or no more than 5 pm. Preferably, the D50 particle diameter of the conductive porous particles is no more than 10 pm, or no more than 8 pm, or no more than 7 pm, or no more than 6 pm, or no more than 5 pm.

For instance, the conductive porous particles may have a D50 particle diameter in the range from 1 to 25 pm, or from 1 to 20 pm, or from 1 to 15 pm, or from or from 1 to 10 pm, or from 1 to 8 pm, or from 2 to 20 pm, or from 2 to 15 pm, or from 2 to 10 pm, or from 2 to 8 pm, or from 2 to 6 pm, or from 3 to 15 pm, or from 3 to 10 pm, or from 3 to 8 pm, or from 3 to 6 pm, or from 3 to 5 pm, or from 4 to 12 pm, or from 4 to 10 pm, or from 4 to 8 pm or from 4 to 6 pm The D10 particle diameter of the conductive porous particles is preferably at least 0.5 pm, or at least 0.8 pm, or at least 1 pm, or at least 1.5 pm, or at least 2 pm.

The D90 particle diameter of the conductive porous particles is preferably no more than 20 40 pm, or no more than 30 pm, or no more than 25 pm, or no more than 20 pm, or no more than 15 pm.

The conductive porous particles preferably have a BET surface area of at least 750 m2/g, or at least 1,000 m2/g, or at least 1,250 m2/g, or at least 1,500 m2/g. Preferably, the BET surface area of the conductive porous particles is no more than 4,000 m2/g, or no more than 3,500 m2/g, or no more than 3,250 m2/g, or no more than 3,000 m2/g.

Step (b) of the process of the invention uses chemical vapour infiltration (CVO of a precursor of an electroactive material into the pore structure of the porous carbon framework.

Chemical vapour infiltration (CVO is a process of infiltrating a porous material with an additional phase, typically by passing a mixture of carrier gases and a reactive gaseous precursor through the porous substrate at high temperature. Decomposition/reaction of the reactive gaseous precursor on pore surfaces results in the deposition of a solid phase in the pore structure.

The electroactive material deposited in step (b) is preferably selected from silicon, tin, germanium, aluminium and mixtures thereof. A preferred electroactive material is silicon.

Suitable gaseous precursors for the deposition of silicon include silane (SiH4) and trichlorosilane (SiHCI3). CV! is of particular utility for preparing the electroactive materials disclosed herein since it results in very little damage to the geometry of the porous substrate.

Suitable silicon-containing precursors include silane (SiH4), disilane (Si2H6), trisilane (Si3H6), tetrasilane (Si4H10), or chlorosilanes such as trichlorosilane (HSiCI3) or methylchlorosilanes such as methyltrichlorosilane (CH3S1CI3) or dimethyldichlorosilane ((CH3)2S1Cl2). Preferably the silicon-containing precursor is silane.

Suitable tin-containing precursors include bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amino]tin(11) (ECH3)3SihNbSn), tetraallyltin ((H2C=CHCH2)4Sn), tetrakis(diethylamido)tin(IV) ([(C2H6)2N]4Sn), tetrakis(dimethylamido)tin(IV) (RCH3)2NLISn), tetramethyltin (Sn(CH3)4), tetravinyltin (Sn(CH=CH2)4), tin(II) acetylacetonate (C10-11404Sn), trimethyl(phenylethynyl)tin (C6H5CECSn(CH3)3), and trimethyl(phenyl)tin (C6H5Sn(CH3)3). Preferably the tin-containing precursor is tetramethyltin.

Suitable aluminium-containing precursors include aluminium tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethy1-3,5-20 heptanedionate) (Al(OCC(CH3)3CHCOC(CH3)3)3), trimethylaluminium ((CH3)3A1), and tris(dimethylamido)aluminium(III) (Al(N(CH3)2)3). Preferably the aluminium-containing precursor is trimethylaluminium.

Suitable germanium-containing precursors include germane (Gel-14).

hexamethyldigermanium ((CH3)3GeGe(CH3)3), tetramethylgermanium ((CH3)4Ge), tributylgermanium hydride ([CH3(CH2)3]3GeH), triethylgermanium hydride ((C2H6)3GeH), and triphenylgermanium hydride ((C6H6)3GeH). Preferably the germanium-containing precursor is germane.

The CV! process may also utilise a gaseous precursor of a dopant material to deposit a doped electroactive material into the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon frameworks. When the dopant is boron suitable precursors include borane (BH3), triisopropyl borate ([(CF13)2CHO]3B), triphenylborane ((C61-15)313), and tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (C6F5)3B, preferably borane. When the dopant is phosphorous a suitable precursor is phosphine (PH3).

The precursors may be used either in pure form or more usually as a diluted mixture with an inert carrier gas, such as nitrogen or argon. For instance, the precursor may be used in an amount in the range from 0.5-20 vol%, or 1-10 vol%, or 1-5 vol% based on the total volume of the precursor and the inert carrier gas. The CV! process is suitably carried out at low partial pressure of gaseous precursor with total pressure at or close to 101.3 kPa (i.e. at atmospheric pressure, 1 atm), the remaining partial pressure made up to atmospheric pressure using an inert padding gas such as hydrogen, nitrogen or argon.

The temperature of the CVI process is suitably chosen to pyrolyse the precursor to the electroactive material. The CVI process is suitably performed at temperature in the range of 200-800 °C, or 400-700 °C, or 400-600 °C, or 400 to 550 °C, or 450-550 °C, or 450-500 °C. Preferably the CV! process is performed at a temperature in the range of 400-500 °C, preferably 450-500 °C.

The lithium-ion permeable filler material may be a conductive pyrolytic carbon material. A conductive pyrolytic carbon material may be deposited in step (c) by a similar CV! process as is used in step (b). Once sufficient electroactive material has been deposited by CVI in step (b), the precursor vapour of the electroactive material may be substituted by a suitable pyrolytic carbon precursor, optionally with an increase in the reaction temperature. For example, the CV! of a pyrolytic carbon filler in step (c) may be conducted at a temperature of up to 700 °C, or no more than 680 °C, or no more than 660 °C, or no more than 650 °C, or no more than 640 °C, or no more than 620 °C, or no more than 600 °C. The minimum temperature in step (c) will depend on the type of carbon precursor that is used. Preferably, the temperature in step (c) is at least 300 °C, such as at least 500 °C, or at least 520 °C, or at least 540 °C, or at least 560 °C, or at least 580 °C.

Suitable hydrocarbons include polycyclic hydrocarbons comprising from 10 to 25 carbon atoms and optionally from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, optionally wherein the polyaromatic hydrocarbon is selected from naphthalene, substituted naphthalenes such as di-hydroxynaphthalene, anthracene, tetracene, pentacene, fluorene, acenapthene, phenanthrene, fluoranthrene, pyrene, chrysene, perylene, coronene, fluorenone, anthraquinone, anthrone and alkyl-substituted derivatives thereof. Suitable pyrolytic carbon precursors also include bicyclic monoterpenoids, optionally wherein the bicyclic monoterpenoid is selected from camphor, borneol, eucalyptol, camphene, careen, sabinene, thujene and pinene. Further suitable pyrolytic carbon precursors include C2-C10 hydrocarbons, optionally wherein the hydrocarbons are selected from alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes, and arenes, for example methane, ethylene, propylene and acetylene. Other suitable pyrolytic carbon precursors include phthalocyanine, sucrose, starches, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, pyrenes, perhydropyrene, triphenylene, tetracene, benzopyrene, perylenes, coronene, and chrysene. A preferred carbon precursor is acetylene.

The lithium-ion permeable filler material may be a lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte. A lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte may also be deposited in step (c) by a similar CVI process as is used in step (b). For example, a lithium phosphate solid electrolyte may be deposited in step (c) by the use of an atmosphere of tert-butyllithium and trimethylphosphate, for example at a temperature in the range of 400-500 °C.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A particulate material consisting of a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous conductive particle framework comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the micropores and/or mesopores have a total pore volume in the range from 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; (b) a plurality of nanoscale electroactive material domains disposed within the porous conductive particle framework; (c) a lithium-ion permeable filler penetrating the pores of the porous conductive particle framework and disposed intermediate the nanoscale silicon domains and the exterior of the composite particles.
2. A particulate material according to claim 1, wherein the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is at least 0.45 cm3/g, or at least 0.5 cm3/g, or at least 0.55 cm3/g, or at least 0.6 cm3/g, or at least 0.65 cm3/g, or at least 0.7 cm3/g, or at least 0.75 cm3/g, or at least 0.8 cm3/g, or at least 0.85 cm3/g, or at least 0.9 cm3/g, or at least 0.95 cm3/g, or at least 1 cm3/g.
3. A particulate material according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the total volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is no more than 2 cm3/g, or no more than 1.8 cm3/g, or no more than 1.6 cm3/g, or no more than 1.5 cm3/g, or no more than 1.45 cm3/g, or no more than 1.4 cm3/g, or no more than 1.35 cm3/g, or no more than 1.3 cm3/g, or no more than 1.25 cm3/g, or no more than 1.2 cm3/g.
4. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive porous particle framework has a PD50 pore diameter of no more than 10 nm, or no more 25 than 8 nm, or no more than 6 nm, or no more than 5 nm, or no more than 4 nm, or no more than 3 nm, or no more than 2.5 nm, or no more than 2 nm, or no more than 1.5 nm.
5. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the volumetric ratio of micropores to mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework is from 90:10 to 55:45, or from 90:10 to 60:40, or from 85:25 to 65:35.
6. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive porous particle framework is a conductive porous carbon particle framework.
7. A particulate material according to claim 6, wherein the conductive porous carbon framework comprises at least 80 wt% carbon, or at least 85 wt% carbon, or at least 5 90 wt% carbon, or at least 95 wt% carbon.
8. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive porous particle framework has a BET surface area of at least 750 m2/g, or at least 1,000 m2/g, or at least 1,250 m2/g, or at least 1,500 m2/g.
9. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive porous particle framework has a BET surface area of no more than 4,000 m2/g, or no more than 3,500 m2/g, or no more than 3,250 m2/g, or no more than 3,000 m2/g.
10. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the electroactive material is selected from silicon, tin, germanium and aluminium and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the electroactive material is silicon.
11 A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the amount of electroactive material in the composite particles of the invention is selected such that at least 20% and up to 60% of the internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework is occupied by the electroactive material
12. A particulate material according to claim 10, wherein the electroactive material is silicon, and wherein the weight ratio of silicon to the porous carbon framework in the composite particles is in the range from [0.5xP1 to 1.3xP1] : 1, wherein P1 is a dimensionless quantity having the magnitude of the total pore volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework when expressed in cm3/g.
13. A particulate material according to claim 10, wherein the composite particles comprise from 0.35 wt% to 0.65 wt% of silicon, or from 0.4 wt% to 0.6 wt% silicon, or from 0.45 wt% to 0.55 wt% silicon.
14. A particulate material according to any of claims 10, 12 and 13, wherein the composite particles comprise at least 80 wt%, or from 80 to 98 wt% in total of silicon and carbon.
15. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein at least 85 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt% of the electroactive material mass in the composite particles is located within the internal pore volume of the conductive porous particle framework.
16. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the lithium-ion permeable filler material is a conductive pyrolytic carbon material.
17. A particulate material according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the lithium-ion permeable filler material is a lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte.
18. A particulate material according to claim 17, wherein the lithium permeable solid electrolyte is selected from garnet-type solid electrolytes (including "LLZO" electrolytes such as Li7La37r2012 and Li65La3Tio 5Zr15012); perovskite-type solid electrolytes (including "LLTO" electrolytes such as Li0.33La0.57TiO3); LISICON-type solid electrolytes, NaSICON-type solid electrolytes (such as Li1.3A10.3Ti1.7(PO4)3); lithium phosphorous oxynitride (LiPON) solid electrolytes; Li3N-type solid electrolytes; lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) solid electrolytes, lithium titanate (Li4Ti5012) solid electrolytes; lithium tantalate (LiTa03) solid electrolytes; sulfide-type solid electrolytes; argyrodite-type solid electrolytes; and anti-perovskite-type solid electrolytes.
19. A particulate material according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the lithium-ion permeable solid electrolyte also forms a coating over at least a portion of the outer surface of the porous carbon framework.
20. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the composite particles have a D50 particle diameter in the range from 1 to 30 pm.
21. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the composite particles have a D50 particle diameter of at least 1.5 pm, or at least 2 pm, or at least 2.5 pm, or at least 3 pm, or at least 4 pm, or at least 5 pm.
22. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the composite particles have a D50 particle diameter of no more than 25 pm, or no more than 20 pm, or no more than 15 pm, or no more than 12 pm, or no more than 10 pm, or no more than 8 pm, or no more than 7 pm, or no more than 6 pm, or no more than 5 pm.
23. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the composite particles have a am particle diameter of at least 0.5 pm, or at least 0.8 pm, or at least 1 pm, or at least 1.5 pm, or at least 2 pm.
24. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the composite particles have a BET surface area of no more than 200 m2/g, or no more than 150 m2/g, or no more than 100 m2/g, or no more than 80 m2/g, or no more than 60 m2/g, or no more than 40 m2/g, or no more than 30 m2/g, or no more than 25 m2/g, or no more than 20 m2/g, or no more than 15 m2/g, or no more than 10 m2/g.
25. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the composite particles have a BET surface area of at least 0.1 m2/g, or at least 1 m2/g, or at least 2 m2/g, or at least 5 m2/g.
26. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, wherein the volume of micropores and mesopores of the composite particles, as measured by nitrogen gas adsorption, is no more than (0.15 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.10 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.05 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.02 x P1) cm3/g, or no more than (0.01 x P1) cm3/g, wherein P1 is a dimensionless quantity having the magnitude of the total pore volume of micropores and mesopores in the conductive porous particle framework when expressed in cm3/g.
27. A particulate material according to any preceding claim, having specific capacity on lithiation of 1200 to 2340 mAh/g.
28. A composition comprising a particulate material as defined in any of claims 1 to 27 and at least one other component.
29. A composition according to claim 28, wherein the at least one other component is selected from: (i) a binder; (ii) a conductive additive; and (iii) an additional particulate electroacfive material.
30. A composition according to claim 28 or claim 29, comprising from 1 to 95 wt%, or from 2 to 90 wt%, or from 5 to 85 wt%, or from 10 to 80 wt% of the particulate material as defined in any of claims 1 to 27, based on the total dry weight of the composition.
31. A composition according to any of claims 28 to 30, comprising at least one additional particulate electroactive material, optionally wherein the at least one additional particulate electroactive material is selected from graphite, hard carbon, silicon, tin, germanium, gallium, aluminium and lead.
32. An electrode comprising a particulate material as defined in any of claims 1 to 27 in electrical contact with a current collector, optionally wherein the particulate material is in the form of a composition as defined in any of claims 28 to 31.
33. A rechargeable metal-ion battery comprising: an anode, wherein the anode comprises an electrode as described in claim 32; a cathode comprising a cathode active material capable of releasing and reabsorbing metal ions; and (iii) an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode.
34. Use of a particulate material as defined in any of claims 1 to 27 as an anode active material.
35. Use according to claim 34, wherein the particulate material is in the form of a composition as defined in any of claims 28 to 31.
36. A process for preparing a composite material, the process comprising: (a) providing a plurality of conductive porous particles comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the micropores and/or mesopores have a total pore volume in the range from 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; (b) depositing an electroactive material selected from silicon, tin, aluminium, germanium and alloys thereof into the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon frameworks using a chemical vapour infiltration process, wherein the deposited electroactive material partially occupies the pore volume of the conductive porous particles; and (c) depositing a lithium-ion permeable filler material into some or all of the remaining pore volume of the conductive porous particles.
37. A process according to claim 36, wherein the conductive porous particles have any of the features described for the conductive porous particle frameworks in claims 2 to 9.