Abstract: 3-D magnesium voltaic cells have a magnesium anode coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous protective/electrolyte layer that is ionically conductive and electronically insulating. The resulting protected 3-D magnesium anode is coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous cathode layer that is electronically and ionically conductive, and includes a magnesium storage medium. Suitable magnesium anodes, in particular, magnesium foam anodes, can be made by pulsed galvanostatic deposition of magnesium on a copper substrate. The protective layer can be formed by electropolymerization of a suitable methylacrylate ester. The continuous cathode layer can be a slurry cathode having powders of an electronic conductor and a reversible magnesium storage component suspended in a magnesium electrolyte solution.

Abstract: An anode for a lithium or lithium-ion cell, protected with an SEI by pre-treatment in an SEI-formation cell, is stable for cell cycling even in the presence of substantial water in the cell electrolyte. A method for making the protected anode includes forming an SEI on a lithium or lithium-ion electrode by performing multiple charge/discharge cycles on the electrode in a first cell having an SEI formation electrolyte to produce the protected anode. The SEI formation electrolyte includes an ionic liquid having at least one of eight organic cations.

Abstract: A lithium-air flow battery has minimal cathodic product precipitation, thus extending capacity. The lithium-air flow battery includes a flow electrolyte, flowing proximal to the air cathode, the flow electrolyte having little to no intrinsic lithium ion content. Operation of the lithium-air flow battery generates a lithium-ion concentration gradient across the flow electrolyte, with the lowest lithium-ion concentration adjacent to the air cathode. The extremely low lithium-ion concentration at the cathode, combined with the flow condition at the cathode, results in a minimum of solid product accumulation at the cathode, enabling the cathode to catalyze oxygen reduction for an extended duration.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte composition suitable for a lithium ion battery is provided. The aqueous electrolyte composition contains water, an ionic liquid which is a salt of a protonic cation and an anion comprising a fluoroalkylsulfonyl group and a lithium fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt. A lithium ion battery containing the aqueous electrolyte and a vehicle at least partially powered by the battery are also provided.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition has a fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt and water. The water is present, relative to the fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt, at a molar ratio within a range of 0.1:1 to 10:1, inclusive. This creates a “water-in-salt” in which individual water molecules are surrounded by salt rather than vice versa. Water contained in this environment is electrochemically stabilized relative to a bulk water. The electrolyte also has an organic carbonate present, relative to the fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt, at a molar ratio within a range of 0.1:1 to 50:1, inclusive. It has been discovered that inclusion of the organic carbonate further increases the electrochemical stability of the water within the “in-salt” environment.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte composition suitable for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The aqueous electrolyte composition contains water; lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI); and an ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and a bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide anion (FSI); wherein the ionic liquid is a liquid at 20° C. A lithium secondary battery containing the aqueous electrolyte and a vehicle at least partially powered by the battery are also provided.

Abstract: A zinc ion hybrid battery is provided. The battery contains an anode capable of intercalation and de-intercalation of zinc ions, a cathode having a 4V active material capable of intercalation and de-intercalation of zinc ions, lithium ions and both zinc and lithium ions; and an aqueous electrolyte which comprises: water, and a zinc salt of an anion comprising a fluoroalkylsulfonyl group of formula (I): R—SO2-??(I) wherein R is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-5 carbons.

Abstract: 3-D magnesium voltaic cells have a magnesium anode coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous protective/electrolyte layer that is ionically conductive and electronically insulating. The resulting protected 3-D magnesium anode is coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous cathode layer that is electronically and ionically conductive, and includes a magnesium storage medium. Suitable magnesium anodes, in particular, magnesium foam anodes, can be made by pulsed galvanostatic deposition of magnesium on a copper substrate. The protective layer can be formed by electropolymerization of a suitable methylacrylate ester. The continuous cathode layer can be a slurry cathode having powders of an electronic conductor and a reversible magnesium storage component suspended in a magnesium electrolyte solution.

Abstract: 3-D magnesium voltaic cells have a magnesium anode coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous protective/electrolyte layer that is ionically conductive and electronically insulating. The resulting protected 3-D magnesium anode is coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous cathode layer that is electronically and ionically conductive, and includes a magnesium storage medium. Suitable magnesium anodes, in particular, magnesium foam anodes, can be made by pulsed galvanostatic deposition of magnesium on a copper substrate. The protective layer can be formed by electropolymerization of a suitable methylacrylate ester. The continuous cathode layer can be a slurry cathode having powders of an electronic conductor and a reversible magnesium storage component suspended in a magnesium electrolyte solution.

Abstract: An anode for a Li-ion cell, protected with an SEI by pre-treatment in an SEI-formation cell, is stable for cell cycling even in the presence of substantial water in the cell electrolyte. A method for making the protected anode includes forming an SEI on a lithium electrode by performing multiple charge/discharge cycles on the electrode in a first cell having an SEI formation electrolyte to produce the protected anode. The SEI formation electrolyte includes an ionic liquid having at least one of eight organic cations.

Abstract: An electrolyte for Li-ion and other secondary electrochemical cells includes an FSI anion and at least one of methyltriethylphosphonium; trimethylisobutylphosphonium; methyltributylphosphonium; and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium. The electrolyte uniquely enables stable cell cycling even when water is present in the electrolyte at levels as high as 5000 ppm. Methyltriethylphosphonium and trimethylisobutylphosphonium-containing electrolytes are particularly effective in this water-stabilizing capacity.

Abstract: A zinc ion hybrid battery is provided. The battery contains an anode capable of intercalation and de-intercalation of zinc ions, a cathode having a 4V active material capable of intercalation and de-intercalation of zinc ions, lithium ions and both zinc and lithium ions; and an aqueous electrolyte which comprises: water, and a zinc salt of an anion comprising a fluoroalkylsulfonyl group of formula (I): R—SO2—??(I) wherein R is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-5 carbons.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte composition suitable for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The aqueous electrolyte composition contains water; lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI); and an ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and a bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide anion (FSI); wherein the ionic liquid is a liquid at 20° C. A lithium secondary battery containing the aqueous electrolyte and a vehicle at least partially powered by the battery are also provided.

Abstract: 3-D magnesium voltaic cells have a magnesium anode coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous protective/electrolyte layer that is ionically conductive and electronically insulating. The resulting protected 3-D magnesium anode is coated on multiple opposing surfaces with a continuous cathode layer that is electronically and ionically conductive, and includes a magnesium storage medium. Suitable magnesium anodes, in particular, magnesium foam anodes, can be made by pulsed galvanostatic deposition of magnesium on a copper substrate. The protective layer can be formed by electropolymerization of a suitable methylacrylate ester. The continuous cathode layer can be a slurry cathode having powders of an electronic conductor and a reversible magnesium storage component suspended in a magnesium electrolyte solution.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte composition suitable for a lithium ion battery is provided. The aqueous electrolyte composition contains water, an ionic liquid which is a salt of a protonic cation and an anion comprising a fluoroalkylsulfonyl group and a lithium fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt. A lithium ion battery containing the aqueous electrolyte and a vehicle at least partially powered by the battery are also provided.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte composition suitable for a lithium ion battery is provided. The aqueous electrolyte composition contains water, at least one of a linear ether and a cyclic ether and a lithium fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt. A lithium ion battery containing the aqueous electrolyte and a vehicle at least partially powered by the battery are also provided.

Abstract: An anode for a Li-ion cell, protected with an SEI by pre-treatment in an SEI-formation cell, is stable for cell cycling even in the presence of substantial water in the cell electrolyte. A method for making the protected anode includes forming an SEI on a lithium electrode by performing multiple charge/discharge cycles on the electrode in a first cell having an SEI formation electrolyte to produce the protected anode. The SEI formation electrolyte includes an ionic liquid having at least one of eight organic cations.

Abstract: An electrolyte for Li-ion and other secondary electrochemical cells includes an FSI anion and at least one of methyltriethylphosphonium; trimethylisobutylphosphonium; methyltributylphosphonium; and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium. The electrolyte uniquely enables stable cell cycling even when water is present in the electrolyte at levels as high as 5000 ppm. Methyltriethylphosphonium and trimethylisobutylphosphonium-containing electrolytes are particularly effective in this water-stabilizing capacity.

Abstract: A lithium-air flow battery has minimal cathodic product precipitation, thus extending capacity. The lithium-air flow battery includes a flow electrolyte, flowing proximal to the air cathode, the flow electrolyte having little to no intrinsic lithium ion content. Operation of the lithium-air flow battery generates a lithium-ion concentration gradient across the flow electrolyte, with the lowest lithium-ion concentration adjacent to the air cathode. The extremely low lithium-ion concentration at the cathode, combined with the flow condition at the cathode, results in a minimum of solid product accumulation at the cathode, enabling the cathode to catalyze oxygen reduction for an extended duration.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition has a fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt and water. The water is present, relative to the fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt, at a molar ratio within a range of 0.1:1 to 10:1, inclusive. This creates a “water-in-salt” in which individual water molecules are surrounded by salt rather than vice versa. Water contained in this environment is electrochemically stabilized relative to a bulk water. The electrolyte also has an organic carbonate present, relative to the fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt, at a molar ratio within a range of 0.1:1 to 50:1, inclusive. It has been discovered that inclusion of the organic carbonate further increases the electrochemical stability of the water within the “in-salt” environment.