Abstract: Battery electrode compositions are provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise, for example, an active material, a collapsible core, and a shell. The active material may be provided to store and release metal ions during battery operation, whereby the storing and releasing of the metal ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The collapsible core may be disposed in combination with the active material to accommodate the changes in volume. The shell may at least partially encase the active material and the core, the shell being formed from a material that is substantially permeable to the metal ions stored and released by the active material.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise a core and a multi-functional shell.

Abstract: Li-ion batteries are provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, and at least one hydrofluoric acid neutralizing agent incorporated into the anode or the separator. Li-ion batteries are also provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, and a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, where the electrolyte may be formed from a mixture of an imide salt and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of LiPF6, LiBF4, and LiClO4. Li-ion battery anodes are also provided that include an active material core and a protective coating at least partially encasing the active material core, where the protective coating comprises a material that is resistant to hydrofluoric acid permeation.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: A silicon-based anode comprising silicon, a carbon coating that coats the surface of the silicon, a polyvinyl acid that binds to at least a portion of the silicon, and vinylene carbonate that seals the interface between the silicon and the polyvinyl acid. Because of its properties, polyvinyl acid binders offer improved anode stability, tunable properties, and many other attractive attributes for silicon-based anodes, which enable the anode to withstand silicon cycles of expansion and contraction during charging and discharging.

Abstract: A metal or metal-ion battery composition is provided that comprises anode and cathode electrodes along with an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode. At least one of the electrodes includes active material particles provided to store and release ions during battery operation. Each of the active material particles includes internal pores configured to accommodate volume changes in the active material during the storing and releasing of the ions. The electrolyte comprises a solid electrolyte ionically interconnecting the active material particles.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided that comprises a composite material comprising one or more nanocomposites. The nanocomposites may each comprise a planar substrate backbone having a curved geometrical structure, and an active material forming a continuous or substantially continuous film at least partially encasing the substrate backbone. To form an electrode from the electrode composition, a plurality of electrically-interconnected nanocomposites of this type may be aggregated into one or more three-dimensional agglomerations, such as substantially spherical or ellipsoidal granules.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided that comprises composite particles. Each composite particle may comprise, for example, active fluoride material and a nanoporous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active fluoride material is disposed. The active fluoride material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. The storing and releasing of the ions may cause a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: Li-ion batteries are provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, and at least one hydrofluoric acid neutralizing agent incorporated into the anode or the separator. Li-ion batteries are also provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, and a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, where the electrolyte may be formed from a mixture of an imide salt and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of LiPF6, LiBF4, and LiClO4. Li-ion battery anodes are also provided that include an active material core and a protective coating at least partially encasing the active material core, where the protective coating comprises a material that is resistant to hydrofluoric acid permeation.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: Li-ion batteries are provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, and at least one hydrofluoric acid neutralizing agent incorporated into the anode or the separator. Li-ion batteries are also provided that include a cathode, an anode comprising active particles, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, and a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, where the electrolyte may be formed from a mixture of an imide salt and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of LiPF6, LiBF4, and LiClO4. Li-ion battery anodes are also provided that include an active material core and a protective coating at least partially encasing the active material core, where the protective coating comprises a material that is resistant to hydrofluoric acid permeation.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: A silicon-based anode comprising silicon, a carbon coating that coats the surface of the silicon, a polyvinyl acid that binds to at least a portion of the silicon, and vinylene carbonate that seals the interface between the silicon and the polyvinyl acid. Because of its properties, polyvinyl acid binders offer improved anode stability, tunable properties, and many other attractive attributes for silicon-based anodes, which enable the anode to withstand silicon cycles of expansion and contraction during charging and discharging.

Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.

Abstract: A silicon-based anode comprising silicon, a carbon coating that coats the surface of the silicon, a polyvinyl acid that binds to at least a portion of the silicon, and vinylene carbonate that seals the interface between the silicon and the polyvinyl acid. Because of its properties, polyvinyl acid binders offer improved anode stability, tunable properties, and many other attractive attributes for silicon-based anodes, which enable the anode to withstand silicon cycles of expansion and contraction during charging and discharging.