Abstract: A microwave induced solvothermal method to prepare lithium thiophosphate composites including ?-Li3PS4 and crystalline Li7P3S11 is provided. The method is scaleable to commercial size production.

Abstract: A particle having a core of elemental chalcogen elements, such as sulfur, selenium and tellurium, and a coating of at least one polymeric layer on the core. A functionalized conductive carbon material is dispersed in the core. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A lithium sulfide (Li2Sw)-lithium phosphorus sulfide (LixPySz) composite, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods for making the same are described herein. By the mechanochemical method described herein, the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite can be formed and used as the active material in a positive electrode for a variety of electrochemical cells. It is shown herein that the composite is an electrochemically active cathode material. Further, it has been shown that the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite shows increased resistance to decomposition and H2S generation than Li2S.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium battery constructed of a metal foil current collector, a coating of a pH sensitive polyelectrolyte polymer directly on the metal foil current collector; and a polyelectrolyte polymer nanomembrane comprising alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte polymer wherein each succeeding polyelectrolyte layer has excess charge over the previous layer is provided. The pH sensitive polymer may be poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) (PDAD), poly(vinyl pyridine) (PPy), polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polymethacrylic acid (PMA) or poly(styrene sulfonic acid-maleic acid, sodium salt) (PSSM3:1).

Abstract: A high voltage rechargeable magnesium cell includes an anode and cathode housing. A magnesium metal anode is positioned within the housing. A high voltage electrolyte is positioned proximate the anode. A metal oxide cathode is positioned proximate the high voltage electrolyte. The magnesium cell includes a multi-cycle charge voltage up to at least 3.0 volts and includes a reversible discharge capacity.

Abstract: An electrode for a solid-state lithium battery is provided. The electrode has a current collector and an electrode active layer of lithium metal or lithium metal alloy on the current collector. A surface layer of a homogeneous nano-alloy particle composition containing nanoparticles of an element M or nanoparticles of a lithium alloy of an element M, wherein M is at least one element selected from elements of Groups 2 and 8-16 is present on the active layer. Solid-state batteries containing the electrode are provided.

Abstract: A lithium sulfide (Li2Sw)-lithium phosphorus sulfide (LixPySz) composite, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods for making the same are described herein. By the mechanochemical method described herein, the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite can be formed and used as the active material in a positive electrode for a variety of electrochemical cells. It is shown herein that the composite is an electrochemically active cathode material. Further, it has been shown that the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite shows increased resistance to decomposition and H2S generation than Li2S.

Abstract: A core-shell composite sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and a polyelectrolyte polymer; and a shell containing a hybrid membrane coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) on the core and at least one sequential set of a negatively charged clay nanosheet and a further coating of bPEI encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the polyelectrolyte polymer. A cathode having an active material containing the core-shell composite sulfur particle and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A microwave induced solvothermal method to prepare lithium thiophosphate composites including ?-Li3PS4 and crystalline Li7P3S11 is provided. The method is scaleable to commercial size production.

Abstract: A lithium metal electrode having an artificial interphase layer is provided. The artificial interphase layer conducts lithium ions but is nonconductive of electrons. A method to prepare the lithium metal electrode is also provided. A solid state electrochemical cell containing the lithium metal electrode is provided. A solid state lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is provided which has a sustained discharge capacity of about 3 mAh/cm2.

Abstract: A sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and branched polyethyleneimine; and a coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the bPEI. A cathode having an active material containing the sulfur particles and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A high density slurry comprising encapsulated sulfur particles, carbon nanofibers and activated carbon black suitable for use in forming the active material of an electrode. A method for forming the high density sulfur slurry is also provided. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode as well as methods for their formation are also provided.

Abstract: A one-step method to prepare a magnesium electrolyte salt is provided. According to the method, the magnesium electrolyte is obtained by reacting a Grignard reagent and a fluorinated aryl borane. In addition, formation of monomeric or dimeric magnesium ion is determined by the choice of the Grignard reagent. The magnesium electrolyte may be non-chlorinated and non-corrosive. A magnesium battery containing the magnesium electrolyte is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid particle having a core of a hybrid composite comprising at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium and a coating of at least one self-assembling polymeric layer encapsulating the core is provided. A method for preparing the hybrid particle includes mixing an aqueous solution of a polymer with an aqueous solution of a soluble precursor of at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium to form a mixture and adding an acid to the mixture to obtain the hybrid particle. A cathode having an active material of the hybrid particles and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A core-shell composite sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and a polyelectrolyte polymer; and a shell containing a hybrid membrane coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) on the core and at least one sequential set of a negatively charged clay nanosheet and a further coating of bPEI encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the polyelectrolyte polymer. A cathode having an active material containing the core-shell composite sulfur particle and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and branched polyethyleneimine; and a coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the bPEI. A cathode having an active material containing the sulfur particles and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A particle having a core of elemental chalcogen elements, such as sulfur, selenium and tellurium, and a coating of at least one polymeric layer on the core. A functionalized conductive carbon material is dispersed in the core. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid particle having a core of a hybrid composite comprising at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium and a coating of at least one self-assembling polymeric layer encapsulating the core is provided. A method for preparing the hybrid particle includes mixing an aqueous solution of a polymer with an aqueous solution of a soluble precursor of at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium to form a mixture and adding an acid to the mixture to obtain the hybrid particle. A cathode having an active material of the hybrid particles and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A high density slurry comprising encapsulated sulfur particles, carbon nanofibers and activated carbon black suitable for use in forming the active material of an electrode. A method for forming the high density sulfur slurry is also provided. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode as well as methods for their formation are also provided.

Abstract: A one-step method to prepare a magnesium electrolyte salt is provided. According to the method, the magnesium electrolyte is obtained by reacting a Grignard reagent and a fluorinated aryl borane. In addition, formation of monomeric or dimeric magnesium ion is determined by the choice of the Grignard reagent. The magnesium electrolyte may be non-chlorinated and non-corrosive. A magnesium battery containing the magnesium electrolyte is also provided.