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 low resistance multivalent metal anode is provided. The metal is present in the anode as a Riecke highly active particle. Anode resistivity of 1000 ?·cm2or lower can be obtained. Metals employed include magnesium, calcium, zinc and aluminum. Electrochemical cells containing the low resistance multivalent metal anodes are also provided.

Abstract: A core-shell elemental sulfur sub-micron particle having a core of elemental sulfur and a shell of a membrane containing alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is provided. A functionalized conductive carbon material is optionally present in one or more of the core and an outer layer. A cathode containing the core-shell elemental sulfur sub-micron particle and a lithium-sulfur battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.

Abstract: A method to prepare a chloride free magnesium electrolyte salt is provided. According to the method a water stable borate or carborate anion is converted to metal salt of an alkali metal or silver by an ion exchange and then converted to a chloride free magnesium salt by another ion exchange. A chloride free magnesium salt suitable as an electrolyte for a magnesium battery and a magnesium battery containing the chloride free magnesium electrolyte are also provided.

Abstract: A carbon-sulfur composite coated with a membrane containing alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is provided. A cathode containing the coated carbon-sulfur composite and a battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.