Abstract: Solid battery components are provided. A block copolymeric electrolyte is non-crosslinked and non-glassy through the entire range of typical battery service temperatures, that is, through the entire range of at least from about 0° C. to about 70° C. The chains of which the copolymer is made each include at least one ionically-conductive block and at least one second block immiscible with the ionically-conductive block. The chains form an amorphous association and are arranged in an ordered nanostructure including a continuous matrix of amorphous ionically-conductive domains and amorphous second domains that are immiscible with the ionically-conductive domains. A compound is provided that has a formula of LixMyNzO2. M and N are each metal atoms or a main group elements, and x, y and z are each numbers from about 0 to about 1. y and z are chosen such that a formal charge on the MyNz portion of the compound is (4-x). In certain embodiments, these compounds are used in the cathodes of rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a new method of making a polymer lithium ion battery with low cost, high efficiency and excellent quality. The new polymer lithium ion battery comprises four major components, each of which is a composite: an anode, a cathode, a polymer-gel-electrolyte-separator system and a soft packaging laminate. Adherent particles are introduced into the electrolyte and deposited on the surfaces of both separators and electrodes by Chemical Liquid Deposition (CLD) in-situ the battery cell during the battery assembly process. Those adherent particles not only serve as glue to strongly hold both the anode and cathode together with polyolefin separators, but also form a polymer-gelling electrolyte through the Polymer Gel Formation (PGF) process. The fabrication method creates a self-supporting and self-strengthening battery cell and allows a soft coffee bag laminate to be used as packing shell.

Abstract: A fuel cell for production of electrical energy, such as a fuel cell, comprising a fuel chamber (1), an anode (2a), a cathode (2b), an electrolyte (3) disposed between said anode and said cathode, an oxidant chamber (4), wherein said chambers (1 and 4) enclose said anode, cathode and electrolyte, wherein a fuel flowing from the fuel chamber is oxidized at the anode, thereby producing electrical energy, wherein said electrolyte (3) is a ceramic composite electrolyte comprising at least one salt and at least one oxide in mixture.

Abstract: A novel method for production of and an apparatus for an encapsulated solid-state electrochemical device is disclosed. The present invention provides for electrical devices, such as, for example, thin-film batteries with sensitive chemistries that can survive environmental exposure while providing external electrical contact to the internal cell chemistry. The method of packaging of the present invention may include bonding one or more protective multi-layer laminates to the environmentally sensitive surfaces of an electronic device. The present invention may provide the advantage of avoiding entrapped air beneath the laminates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures of fluoroalkylphosphate salts and polymers, methods of producing same, and their use in electrolytes, batteries, capacitors, supercapacitors and galvanic cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a proton exchange membrane comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The proton exchange membrane of this invention is suitable for operating at a temperature over an entire range of about room temperature to about 170° C. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the membrane includes one or more cross-linking agents.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte containing (I) a crosslinked material obtainable by crosslinking a composition containing (i) a polyether copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight within a range from 105 to 107 and having 5 to 95 mol % of repeating unit derived from a glycidyl compound, and 95 to 5 mol % of repeating unit derived from ethylene oxide, (ii) a crosslinking agent selected from organic peroxides and azo compounds, and (iii) a crosslinking aid which is an organic compound having a carbon-carbon double bond and an imide group, (II) an electrolyte salt compound, and (III) a plasticizer, is excellent in mechanical properties and ionic conductivity.

Abstract: All-solid-state electrochemical cells and batteries employing very thin film, highly conductive polymeric electrolyte and very thin electrode structures are disclosed, along with economical and high-speed methods of manufacturing. A preferred embodiment is a rechargeable lithium polymer electrolyte battery. New polymeric electrolytes employed in the devices are strong yet flexible, dry and non-tacky. The new, thinner electrode structures have strength and flexibility characteristics very much like thin film capacitor dielectric material that can be tightly wound in the making of a capacitor. A wide range of polymers, or polymer blends, characterized by high ionic conductivity at room temperature, and below, are used as the polymer base material for making the solid polymer electrolytes. The preferred polymeric electrolyte is a cationic conductor. In addition to the polymer base material, the polymer electrolyte compositions exhibit a conductivity greater than 1×10−4 S/cm at 25° C.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing conductivity of polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes are provided which include forming a polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte film by a melt casting technique and uniaxially stretching the film from about 5 to 15% in length. The polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte is also preferably annealed after stretching such that it has a room temperature conductivity of from 10−4 S cm−1 to 10−3 S cm−1. The polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte formed by the methods of the present invention may be used in lithium rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A wide range of solid polymer electrolytes characterized by high ionic conductivity at room temperature, and below, are disclosed. These all-solid-state polymer electrolytes are suitable for use in electrochemical cells and batteries. A preferred polymer electrolyte is a cationic conductor which is flexible, dry, non-tacky, and lends itself to economical manufacture in very thin film form. Solid polymer electrolyte compositions which exhibit a conductivity of at least approximately 10−3-10−4 S/cm at 25° C. comprise a base polymer or polymer blend containing an electrically conductive polymer, a metal salt, a finely divided inorganic filler material, and a finely divided ion conductor.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte providing lithium secondary batteries in which growth of lithium dendrites is suppressed and batteries exhibiting excellent discharge characteristics in low to high temperature, comprising a polymer gel holding a nonaqueous solvent containing an electrolyte, wherein the polymer gel comprises (I) a unit derived from at least one monomer having one copolymerizable vinyl group and (II) a unit derived from at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (II-a) a compound having two acryloyl groups and a (poly)oxyethylene group, (II-b) a compound having one acryloyl group and a (poly)oxyethylene group, and (II-c) a glycidyl ether compound, particularly the polymer gel comprises monomer (I), compound (II-a), and a copolymerizable plasticizing compound.

Abstract: An electrolyte, such as for a lithium rechargeable cell, is described which contains a pyrazolium cation and may also contain a lithium salt. The lithium salt may be at least one of LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiPF6, and LiTF. The electrolyte, when used in an electrochemical cell, has a charge/discharge capacity and charging efficiency that is superior to the same properties of ionic liquid electrolytes without a pyrazolium cation. Electrochemical cells are also described and contain an anode, a cathode, and the pyrazolium cation electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for conditioning an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of fabricating an electrochemical cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte, associating an additive with the electrochemical cell, elevating the temperature of the electrochemical cell, and cycling the electrochemical cell, and in turn, forming a passivation layer at an interface between one of the electrodes and the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solid composite electrolyte comprising at least one compound of the BIMEVOX family is provided. The process comprises at least one step of preparing a mixture of one or more compounds of the BIMEVOX family with one or more chemically inert compounds, at least one step of compacting the mixture obtained, and at least one sintering step during which the temperature reached, over a nonzero time interval, has a value greater than the optimum sintering temperature for the compound of the BIMEVOX family.

Abstract: A high sodium ion conducting inorganic composite solid electrolyte obtained by mixing Na.sub.4 Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.3 O.sub.12 with titanium oxide and sintering the resultant mixture and a method for the production of a high sodium ion conducting inorganic composite solid electrolyte, consisting essentially of the steps of mixing Na.sub.4 Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.3 O.sub.12 with titanium oxide and sintering the resultant mixture.

Abstract: A glass-polymer composite electrolyte includes a glass electrolyte having a lithium compound and at least one compound selected from P.sub.2 S.sub.5, SiS.sub.2 or GeS.sub.2, and a polymer electrolyte comprising a lithium salt.

Abstract: A thiophosphate flame retardant represented by (R.sub.1 S).sub.3 P.dbd.O, wherein R.sub.1 is aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl, is added to a non-aqueous solvent to the extent of approximately 1/10-1/100 of a carbonate type solvent which is the main component of an electrolyte, to provide a lithium ion secondary cell solvent offering improved fire-retarding properties without much change of electrolyte composition. In this way, the boiling point can be raised and flame retarding properties can be conferred with almost no increase in the viscosity of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A class of organic redox shuttle additives is described, preferably comprising nitrogen-containing aromatics compounds, which can be used in a high temperature (85.degree. C. or higher) electrochemical storage cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte to provide overcharge protection to the cell. The organic redox additives or shuttles are characterized by a high diffusion coefficient of at least 2.1.times.10.sup.-8 cm.sup.2 /second and a high onset potential of 2.5 volts or higher. Examples of such organic redox shuttle additives include an alkali metal salt of 1,2,4-triazole, an alkali metal salt of imidazole, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene, and a dialkali metal salt of 3-4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione.

Abstract: A method for production of porous electrodes and separators in polymer type electrochemical cells and batteries wherein electrodes and separator elements are mixed with polymeric filler materials such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The polymeric filler material is then removed to provide the requisite porosity for the electrodes and separator. The polymeric filler material, normally removed by use of volatile solvents, is instead removed by extraction with supercritical fluids, such as CO.sub.2, which do not result in any hazardous residue or gases.