Abstract: Provided are uniquely structured electrochemically active particles characterized by a first electrochemically active material and a second electrochemically active material disposed about the first material whereby at least the second material includes a modifier present as a continuous transition concentration gradient from the first material into the second material whereby the concentration is lower in the first material than the second material. Also provided are processes of producing the particle and electrochemical cells incorporating the particles as a positive electrode material in a cathode.

Abstract: Electrolyte compositions comprising a) an ionic liquid and b) a protic acid and/or an organic solvent are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, e.g. metal hydride batteries. The electrolyte compositions may replace the currently employed 30% by weight aqueous KOH. Suitable protic acids include carboxylic acids, mineral acids, sulfonic acids and the like. Suitable organic solvents include organic carbonates, ethers, glymes, ortho esters, polyalkylene glycols, esters, lactones, glycols, formates, sulfones, sulfoxides, amides, alcohols, ketones, nitro solvents, nitrile solvents and combinations thereof. Present batteries may achieve a nominal open-circuit voltage of >1.2 V (volts) and up to about 6 V. The electrolyte compositions allow enlargement of the electrochemical window, thus allowing the use of further cathode active materials.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage negative electrodes based on group IV elements, for example hydrogen storage negative electrodes based on silicon and/or carbon, are highly effective towards reversibly charging/discharging hydrogen in an hydride electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is ?30 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % and where the alloy comprises a mischmetal where Nd in the mischmetal is <50 at % or a multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising one or more rare earth elements, a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is from about 30 to about 72 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % have improved electrochemical performance. The alloys are useful in an electrode in a metal hydride battery, a fuel cell or a metal hydride air battery.

Abstract: Metal hydride batteries comprising an electrolyte composition which comprises an aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide (KOH) and one or more halide and/or oxyacid salts exhibit reduced degradation of the anode material during operation. The salts are for instance alkali metal salts. Anode materials exhibit for instance <100 % of the degradation of the same anode material in the same battery when replacing the electrolyte composition with 30 weight percent (wt %) aqueous KOH and the conductivity of the electrolyte composition is for instance ?85 % of 30 wt % aqueous KOH. Anode materials are for example ABx high capacity hydrogen storage alloys comprising Mg where x is from about 0.5 to about 5 and which has a discharge capacity of ?400 mAh/g.

Abstract: The present application discloses s an electrochemical cell (battery) comprising a hydrogen storage negative electrode (anode), a positive electrode (cathode) and a solid proton-conducting electrolyte in contact with the electrodes. The solid proton-conducting electrolyte comprises a silicon material which comprises at least 35 at % silicon.

Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and methods of their formation that include a negative electrode with a functional protective coating that protects against surface passivation by reducing growth of a passivating layer on the active material surface and that functions synergistically with a silicate containing alkaline electrolyte to reduce thickness of newly formed passivation layers that occur as a result of decrepitation during cycling. The cells and methods have particular advantages of improved cycle life at when exposed to high temperatures.

Abstract: A metal hydride battery comprising at least one negative electrode, at least one positive electrode, a casing having said electrodes positioned therein and an electrolyte composition, where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of protic acids, protic ammonium compounds, protic oxonium compounds, aprotic ammonium compounds, aprotic oxonium compounds, aprotic phosphonium compounds and alkali or alkali earth metal salts; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxides and alkali or alkali earth metal alkoxides and an organic solvent; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, water and one or more further components selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, further ionic compounds and additives; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylate compounds and

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloys comprising a metal oxide containing ?60 at % oxygen; and/or comprising a metal region adjacent to a boundary region, which boundary region comprises at least one channel; and/or comprising a metal region adjacent to a boundary region, where the boundary region has a length and an average width, where the average width is from about 12 nm to about 1100 nm; and/or comprising a metal oxide zone comprising a metal oxide, which oxide zone is aligned with at least one channel; and/or comprising a Ni/Cr metal oxide have improved electrochemical properties, for instance improved low temperature electrochemical performance.

Abstract: A multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is ?30 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % and where the alloy comprises a mischmetal where Nd in the mischmetal is <50 at % or a multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising one or more rare earth elements, a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is from about 30 to about 72 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % have improved electrochemical performance. The alloys are useful in an electrode in a metal hydride battery, a fuel cell or a metal hydride air battery.

Abstract: A multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is ?30 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % and where the alloy comprises a mischmetal where Nd in the mischmetal is <50 at % or a multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising one or more rare earth elements, a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is from about 30 to about 72 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % have improved electrochemical performance. The alloys are useful in an electrode in a metal hydride battery, a fuel cell or a metal hydride air battery.

Abstract: Heterogeneous metal hydride (MH) compositions comprising a main region comprising a first metal hydride and a secondary region comprising one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of second metal hydrides, metals, metal alloys and further metal compounds are suitable as anode materials for lithium ion cells. The first metal hydride is for example MgH2. Methods for preparing the composition include coating, mechanical grinding, sintering, heat treatment and quenching techniques.

Abstract: Certain nickel hydroxide active cathode materials for use in alkaline rechargeable batteries are capable of transferring >1.3 electrons per Ni atom under reversible electrochemical conditions. The specific capacity of the nickel hydroxide active materials is for example ?325 mAh/g. The cathode active materials exhibit an additional discharge plateau near 0.8 V vs. a metal hydride (MH) anode. Ni in an oxidation state of less than 2, such as Ni1+, is able to participate in electrochemical reactions when using the present cathode active materials. It is possible that up to 2.3 electrons, up to 2.5 electrons or more may be transferred per Ni atom under electrochemical conditions.

Abstract: Certain nickel hydroxide active cathode materials for use in alkaline rechargeable batteries are capable of transferring >1.3 electrons per Ni atom under reversible electrochemical conditions. The specific capacity of the nickel hydroxide active materials is for example ?325 mAh/g. The cathode active materials exhibit an additional discharge plateau near 0.8 V vs. a metal hydride (MH) anode. Ni in an oxidation state of less than 2, such as Ni1+, is able to participate in electrochemical reactions when using the present cathode active materials. It is possible that up to 2.3 electrons, up to 2.5 electrons or more may be transferred per Ni atom under electrochemical conditions.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloys comprising a) at least one main phase, b) a storage secondary phase and c) a catalytic secondary phase, where the weight ratio of the catalytic secondary phase abundance to the storage secondary phase abundance is ?3; or comprising a) at least one main phase, b) from 0 to about 13.3 wt % of a storage secondary phase and c) a catalytic secondary phase, where the alloy comprises from 0.05 at % to 0.98 at % of one or more rare earth elements; or comprising a) at least one main phase, b) from 0 to about 13.3 wt % of a storage secondary phase and c) a catalytic secondary phase, where the alloy comprises for example i) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb and Hf and ii) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Sn, Al, Co, Cu, Mo, W, Fe, Si, Sn and rare earth elements, where the atomic ratio of ii) to i) is from about 1.80 to about 1.

Abstract: The present application discloses s an electrochemical cell (battery) comprising a hydrogen storage negative electrode (anode), a positive electrode (cathode) and a solid proton-conducting electrolyte in contact with the electrodes. The solid proton-conducting electrolyte comprises a silicon material which comprises at least 35 at % silicon.

Abstract: Provided are uniquely structured electrochemically active particles characterized by a first electrochemically active material and a second electrochemically active material disposed about the first material whereby at least the second material includes a modifier present as a continuous transition concentration gradient from the first material into the second material whereby the concentration is lower in the first material than the second material. Also provided are processes of producing the particle and electrochemical cells incorporating the particles as a positive electrode material in a cathode.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage negative electrodes based on group IV elements, for example hydrogen storage negative electrodes based on silicon and/or carbon, are highly effective towards reversibly charging/discharging hydrogen in an hydride electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.