Abstract: A positive electrode for a sodium ion battery is provided. The positive electrode includes a sodium metal vanadium fluorophosphate having a formula according to Formula I: Na3V2-xMxOy(PO4)2F3-y??I; wherein 0<x?1, 0?y?1, and M is one or more additional metals.

Abstract: A method of forming a cathode material precursor is provided. The method is an ethanol-assisted, hydrothermal synthesis and includes dissolving a nickel nitrate hydrate in ethanol to obtain a first mixture. The first mixture is then heated at a first temperature for a first period of time. Subsequently, the first mixture is cooled, filtered, washed, and dried to obtain a nickel hydroxide hydrate precipitate that is the cathode material precursor. In the method, the first mixture is free of ammonia. The cathode material precursor obtained may be ?-3Ni(OH)2·2H2O. A method of forming a cobalt-free, nickel-rich cathode material from the cathode material precursor is also provided. The resulting cathode material may be LiNi0.9Mn0.05Al0.05 O2 (NMA9055).

Abstract: A method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes the step of isolating and recovering a composite electrode. The composite electrode includes an electrode material adhered to a current collector. The composite electrode is combined with a dual function solution comprising an organic acid compound and polyol to form a leaching mixture. The electrode material is leached and separated from the current collector and binder/carbon black film to give a metal ion containing leachate, a free current collector and free binder/carbon black. The metal ion containing leachate, the free current collector, and the binder/carbon black are recovered from the leaching mixture. Upon heating the metal leachate, the dual function solution works as precipitation agent and gives a coprecipitated cathode precursor and a metal ion leachate. The coprecipitated cathode precursor may be used for cathode resynthesis.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-perovskite solid electrolyte is provided. The method includes: providing an anti-perovskite material that is in the form of a powder; heating a die to a temperature between approximately 200 and 400° C.; loading the anti-perovskite powder into the heated die; compressing the anti-perovskite powder in the heated die; and allowing the heated die to cool to ambient temperature under pressure by maintaining the compression until the die has cooled to ambient temperature. The compression may be performed uniaxially and at a pressure in a range of 1 to 500 MPa. The anti-perovskite may undergo phase transformation, densification, and grain growth during compression at the elevated temperature. An anti-perovskite solid electrolyte formed by the method, and an anti-perovskite solid-state battery including the solid electrolyte are also provided.

Abstract: A method for the regeneration of cathode material from spent lithium-ion batteries is provided. The method includes dissolving a lithium precursor in a polyhydric alcohol to form a solution. Degraded cathode material containing lithium metal oxides are dispersed into the solution under mechanical stirring, forming a mixture. The mixture is heat treated within a reactor vessel or microwave oven. During this heat treatment, lithium is intercalated into the degraded cathode material. The relithiated electrode material is collected by filtration, washing with solvents, and drying. The relithiated electrode material is then ground with a lithium precursor and thermally treated at a relatively low temperature for a predetermined time period to obtain regenerated cathode material.

Abstract: A super ion conductor composition is disclosed. The super ion conductor composition has the general formula: A1+xMx/2Zr2?x/2(PO4)3, where each A is independently Na or Li, M is Mn or Mg, and subscript x is from 0.5 to 3. A solid electrolyte comprising the super ion conductor composition, and a method of preparing the solid electrolyte, are also disclosed. The method comprises combining a zirconium compound, a manganese or magnesium compound, a sodium compound, and a phosphate compound to give a mixture; and calcining the mixture to give the super ion conductor composition, thereby preparing the solid electrolyte. Functional materials and devices comprising the super ion conductor composition are also disclosed, including a catholyte composition, an ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane, as well as all-solid-state batteries.

Abstract: A method for relithiating cathode material from spent lithium-based batteries, the method comprising: (i) mixing delithiated cathode material and a lithium salt with an ionic liquid in which the lithium salt is at least partially soluble to form an initial mixture; (ii) heating the initial mixture to a temperature of 100° C. to 300° C. to result in relithiation of the delithiated cathode material; and (iii) separating the ionic liquid from the relithiated cathode material; wherein, in embodiments, the cathode material is a lithium metal oxide, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Al, Zr, Ti, Nb, and combinations thereof, or wherein the cathode material has the formula LiNixMnyCozO2, wherein x>0, y>0, z>0, and x+y+z=1; wherein, in some embodiments, the ionic liquid has a nitrogen-containing cationic portion, such as an imidazolium ionic liquid.

Abstract: A method of recycling lithium-ion batteries is disclosed. The method includes isolating a composite electrode that comprises an electrode material adhered to a current collector with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) binder from a spent lithium-ion battery. The method also includes contacting the composite electrode in a polyol fluid capable of releasing the PVDF binder from the current collector without substantially altering either component. The composite electrode may be a cathode or an anode. The method also includes rapidly delaminating the electrode material from the current collector to give a free electrode material and a free current collector, and recovering each of the free electrode material and the free current collector from the mixture. The free electrode material may be reused to prepare another composite electrode, as well as a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, which are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of improving interfacial contact at an electrode-to-solid-electrolyte interface in a solid-state battery cell is provided. The method includes providing a solid-state battery cell including a solid-state electrolyte and electrodes defining an anode and a cathode. Each of the anode and cathode are adjacent to the solid-state electrolyte at an interface. The method further includes electrochemically increasing interfacial contact between at least one of the electrodes and the solid-state electrolyte by applying a voltage pulse to the cell at a high current density for a short duration, wherein electrode material diffuses into pores formed in the solid electrolyte interface, thereby healing the pores and eliminating an interfacial space charge effect.

Abstract: An improved method of recycling lithium-ion battery anode scraps is provided. The method involves isolating an anode scrap including a graphite anode film adhered to a current collector foil with a polyvinylidene fluoride binder. The anode scrap is combined with deionized water to form a first mixture. The graphite anode film is delaminated from the current collector foil to form a second mixture comprising a free collector foil and a free graphite anode film. The free graphite anode film is filtered and dried from the second mixture to recover the free graphite anode film. The free graphite anode film is combined with a solvent comprising N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to form an anode formation slurry. The slurry is coated onto a copper current collector to produce a new anode.

Abstract: A method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes isolating a composite electrode comprising an electrode material adhered to a current collector with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) binder. The composite electrode is combined with triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a solvent to form a mixture. The electrode material is delaminated from the current collector in the mixture to give a free electrode material and a free current collector. Each of the free electrode material and the free current collector is recovered from the mixture. The free electrode material may be reused to prepare another composite electrode, as well as a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, which are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reviving a lithium-ion battery cell in which dendrites are formed providing a lithium-ion battery cell including a lithium-metal-containing electrolyte and one of a graphite or a lithium-metal-containing anode. Lithium dendrites are formed at an anode/electrolyte interface in the cell and extend into the electrolyte of the cell. The method further includes electrochemically healing the battery cell by actively applying a plurality of continuous low current density galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles to the battery cell. Lithium metal is thusly oxidized from tips of the dendrites thereby causing dissolution of the dendrites.

Abstract: An improved method of recycling lithium-ion battery anode scraps is provided. The method involves isolating an anode scrap including a graphite anode film adhered to a current collector foil with a polyvinylidene fluoride binder. The anode scrap is combined with deionized water to form a first mixture. The graphite anode film is delaminated from the current collector foil to form a second mixture comprising a free collector foil and a free graphite anode film. The free graphite anode film is filtered and dried from the second mixture to recover the free graphite anode film. The free graphite anode film is combined with a solvent comprising N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to form an anode formation slurry. The slurry is coated onto a copper current collector to produce a new anode.

Abstract: A method for relithiating cathode material from spent lithium-based batteries, the method comprising: (i) mixing delithiated cathode material and a lithium salt with an ionic liquid in which the lithium salt is at least partially soluble to form an initial mixture; (ii) heating the initial mixture to a temperature of 100° C. to 300° C. to result in relithiation of the delithiated cathode material; and (iii) separating the ionic liquid from the relithiated cathode material; wherein, in embodiments, the cathode material is a lithium metal oxide, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Al, Zr, Ti, Nb, and combinations thereof, or wherein the cathode material has the formula LiNixMnyCozO2, wherein x>0, y>0, z>0, and x+y+z=1; wherein, in some embodiments, the ionic liquid has a nitrogen-containing cationic portion, such as an imidazolium ionic liquid.

Abstract: A cathode active material precursor for a lithium metal oxide is provided. The cathode active material precursor comprises a metal-containing oxyhydroxide. The metal-containing oxyhydroxide comprises nickel and an additional metal. At least 50 mol. % of the nickel of the metal-containing oxyhydroxide has an oxidation state of +3. A method of forming a cathode active material precursor is also provided. The method comprises combining a nickel-containing compound, an additional metal-containing compound, an oxidizing agent, and a solvent to form a solution. The method further comprises exposing the solution to heat at a temperature of from about 30° C. to about 90° C. to form a precipitate comprising the metal-containing oxyhydroxide.

Abstract: A method of recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes isolating a composite electrode that includes an electrode material adhered to a current collector. The composite electrode is combined with an aqueous buffer solution to form a mixture. The electrode material is delaminated from the current collector in the mixture to give a free electrode material and a free current collector. Each of the free electrode material and the free current collector is recovered from the mixture. Combining the composite electrode with the aqueous buffer solution occurs before delaminating the electrode material from the current collector. The step of delaminating optionally may include adding a surfactant to the mixture.

Abstract: A method for the regeneration of cathode material from spent lithium-ion batteries is provided. The method includes dissolving a lithium precursor in a polyhydric alcohol to form a solution. Degraded cathode material containing lithium metal oxides are dispersed into the solution under mechanical stirring, forming a mixture. The mixture is heat treated within a reactor vessel or microwave oven. During this heat treatment, lithium is intercalated into the degraded cathode material. The relithiated electrode material is collected by filtration, washing with solvents, and drying. The relithiated electrode material is then ground with a lithium precursor and thermally treated at a relatively low temperature for a predetermined time period to obtain regenerated cathode material.

Abstract: A cathode for a lithium battery includes LiNi0.5-x/2Mn0.5-x/2MxO2 where M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mo, Ti, Cr, Zr and V, and x is between 0.005-0.02. The LiNi0.5-x/2Mn0.5-x/2MxO2 can be coated with Mn2P2O7. The Mn2P2O7 can be 1-3 wt. %, based on the total weight of the LiNi0.5-x/2Mn0.5-x/2MxO2 and Mn2P2O7. A cathode composition, a lithium battery, and a method of making a lithium battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes isolating a composite electrode comprising an electrode material adhered to a current collector with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) binder. The composite electrode is combined with triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a solvent to form a mixture. The electrode material is delaminated from the current collector in the mixture to give a free electrode material and a free current collector. Each of the free electrode material and the free current collector is recovered from the mixture. The free electrode material may be reused to prepare another composite electrode, as well as a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, which are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes isolating a composite electrode that includes an electrode material adhered to a current collector. The isolated composite electrode is combined with a citrate-based solvent to form a mixture. The electrode material is delaminated from the current collector in the mixture to give a free electrode material and a free current collector. Each of the free electrode material and the free current collector is recovered from the mixture. The free electrode material may be reused to prepare another composite electrode, as well as a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, which are also disclosed.