Abstract: The invention provides a cathode material for L1-ion batteries. The material has the formula of 0.5Li2MnO3-0.5LiM-n0.5Ni0.35Co0.15O2. The material was synthesized using the “self-ignition combustion” method, which previously has not been used for the preparation of Li-rich layered metal oxides. The cathode material exhibits capacities of 290, 250, and 200 mAh/g at discharge rates of C/20, C/4 and C rates, respectively. Moreover, the new material exhibits high rate cycling ability with little or no capacity fade for over 100 cycles demonstrated at a series of rates from C/20 to 2C rates for electrodes loadings of 7-8 mg/cm2.

Abstract: Thermally stable electrolytes for Li-ion batteries obtained with the use of Lewis base additives to the electrolytes are disclosed. The Lewis bases stabilize electrolytes composed of solutions of LiPF6 in organic carbonates against decomposition at temperatures as high as 85° C. Additives suitable for stabilizing LiPF6-containing electrolytes include amines, for example, triethylenediamine (TEDA) and 2,2′-bipyridine (BIPY), phosphines, for example, triphenylphosphine (TPP) and tributylphosphine (TBP), and nitrogen-phosphorus bonded compounds such as hexamethoxycyclotriphosphazene ([N═P(OCH3)2]3) (HMOPA), hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA), and N-phenyl-P,P,P-trimethylphosphorimidate (PhTMI). These additives are also capable of stabilizing electrolytes in solvents other than carbonates including ethers, esters and sulfones.

Abstract: Rechargeable composite polymer batteries are disclosed employing composite polymer electrolytes comprising an inorganic oxide, exemplified by fumsilic(SiO2), and an organic polymer, exemplified by poly(vinylidene fluoride)-hexafluoropropene copolymer (PVDF-HFP), gelled with Li-ion battery electrolytes. The composite polymer electrolytes are prepared by forming a suspension of the inorganic oxide in a solution of the organic polymer contained in a suitable carrier solvent, spraying the suspension onto the surfaces of Li-ion battery electrodes to form inorganic oxide-organic polymer composite films that adhere to the electrode surfaces, and gelling the films with Li-ion battery electrolytes in-situ to form composite inorganic oxide-organic polymer gel electrolytes. Li-ion battery cells are then constructed with the resulting electrode-polymer electrolytes.

Abstract: This invention features the use of redox reagents, dissolved in non-aqueous electrolytes, to provide overcharge protection for cells having lithium metal or lithium-ion negative electrodes (anodes). In particular, the invention features the use of a class of compounds consisting of thianthrene and its derivatives as redox shuttle reagents to provide overcharge protection. Specific examples of this invention are thianthrene and 2,7-diacetyl thianthrene. One example of a rechargeable battery in which 2,7-diacetyl thianthrene is used has carbon negative electrode (anode) and spinet LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 positive electrode (cathode).

Abstract: This invention pertains to passivation-free solid-state rechargeable batteries composed of Li.sub.4 Ti.sub.5 O.sub.12 anode, a solid polymer electrolyte and a high voltage cathode. The solid polymer electrolyte comprises a polymer host, such as polyacrylonitrile, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl sulfone), and poly(vinylidene fluoride), plasticized by a solution of a Li salt in an organic solvent. The high voltage cathode includes LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, LiCoO.sub.2, LiNiO.sub.2 and LiV.sub.2 O.sub.5 and their derivatives.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of ferrocenes to provide both overcharge protection and Li dendrite-growth suppression in solid polymer electrolyte-based, rechargeable batteries having anodes of Li and Li-containing compounds. In particular, this invention pertains to the use of acetylferrocene and ferrocene carboxaldehyde in solid polymer electrolyte-based rechargeable batteries with anodes of Li and Li-containing compounds.

Abstract: This invention features polymer-based batteries comprising metal anodes and an oxygen gas cathode. The oxygen is not stored in the battery but rather it is accessed from the environment. This solid-state battery is constructed by sandwiching a metal ion conductive polymer electrolyte film between a metal anode (negative electrode) and a composite carbon electrode which serves as the cathode current collector on which the electroactive oxygen is reduced during discharge of the battery to generate electric current. The metal anodes include lithium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, aluminum and zinc.

Abstract: Solid-state rechargeable secondary batteries comprise a composite cathode selected from the group consisting of LiNiO.sub.2, LiCoO.sub.2, and LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, a separator composed of a solid polymer electrolyte with propylene carbonate as a plasticizer, and a composite anode consisting of graphite, a solid polymer electrolyte containing propylene carbonate and 12-crown-4 ether.

Abstract: This invention relates to Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of poly(vinyl sulfone) and lithium salts, and their use in all-solid-state rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The lithium salts comprise low lattice energy lithium salts such as LiN(CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.2, LiAsF.sub.6, and LiClO.sub.4.

Abstract: Catalysts to enhance the discharge rates of Li cells containing sulfur oxyhalide depolarizers are disclosed. A preferred catalyst consists of a mixture of cobalt acetate and polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprising a lithium anode, a cathode, and a liquid electrolyte of lithium tetrachloroaluminate dissolved in thionyl chloride, has a coating of a Li ion conductive solid polymer electrolyte on the anode. An example of the solid polymer electrolyte is a Li salt complex of poly[bis(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene].

Abstract: This invention pertains to Lithium batteries using Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of solvates of Li salts immobilized in a solid organic polymer matrix. In particular, this invention relates to Li batteries using solid polymer electrolytes derived by immobilizing solvates formed between a Li salt and an aprotic organic solvent (or mixture of such solvents) in poly(vinyl chloride).

Abstract: This invention pertains to Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of solvates of Li salts immobilized (encapsulated) in a solid organic polymer matrix. In particular, this invention relates to solid polymer electrolytes derived by immobilizing complexes (solvates) formed between a Li salt such as LiAsF.sub.6, LiCF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 or LiClO.sub.4 and a mixture of aprotic organic solvents having high dielectric constants such as ethylene carbonate (EC) (dielectric constant=89.6) and propylene carbonate (PC) (dielectric constant=64.4) in a polymer matrix such as polyacrylonitrile, poly(tetraethylene glycol diacrylate), or poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone).

Abstract: A mixed polymer electrolyte and a solid rechargeable battery which uses a solid mixed polymer electrolyte of poly[bis(methoxyethoxyethoxide)phosphazene].

Abstract: A secondary, rechargeable, battery comprising as a cathode-active material, a transition metal oxysulfide having the formula:M.sub.y.sup.1 M.sub.l.sup.2.sub.--Y O.sub.x S.sub.n--xwhereinM.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are transition metals, y is higher than zero but not higher than 1, x is higher than zero and less than 1, and n is half the sum of the oxidation states of the transition metals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2, preferably molybdenum oxysulfide; an anode active material; and an electrolyte. Also disclosed is a method of making such a transition metal oxysulfide by mixing at least one transition metal oxide and at least one transition metal sulfide in aqueous ammonia, removing the ammonia and then decomposing the residue at elevated temperature under non-oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: The invention features the use of redox reagents, dissolved in non-aqueous electrolytes, to provide overcharge protection for cells having alkali metal negative electrodes (anodes). In particular, the invention features the use of organometallic compounds, known as metallocenes, as redox shuttle reagents to provide overcharge protection. Specific examples of this invention are bis(cyclopentadienyl)iron, known as ferrocene; bis(n-butyl-cyclopentadienyl)iron, known as butylferrocene; bis(cyclopentadienyl)nickel, known as nickelocene; and bis(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt, known as cobaltocene. An example of a rechargeable battery in which these redox reagents are used as an Li negative electrode and a TiS.sub.2 positive electrode.

Abstract: The invention features the use of additives such as 2-methylfuran or related cyclic or acyclic organic compounds in non-aqueous electrolyte-containing secondary lithium cells for improving the cycle life of such cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a housing containing a sodium anode assembly, a cathode assembly, and an electrolyte, in which the electrolyte is a sodium ion conducting alkali metal aluminum tetrahalide and the cathode material is a transition metal chalcogenide, or a reaction product of the chalcogenide and the electrolyte, disposed on a substrate in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: Compound having the formula MZSX.sub.2, wherein M is an alkali metal, Z is selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium, and X is a halogen.