Abstract: An electrode or electrode material or catalyst or catalyst material. The material includes an electrically conducting 3-dimensional (3-D) matrix comprising a plurality of porous regions; an active material, and optionally, a carbon conductivity aid, where the active material is disposed in and/or on at least a portion of the porous regions of the electrically conducting 3-D matrix. The electrode or electrode material or catalyst or catalyst material may be made by contacting an electrically conducting 3-D matrix with additive material dispersed thereon with a liquid. An electrochemical device may comprise the electrode or electrode material or catalyst or catalyst material.

Abstract: A sodium-ion conducting (e.g., sodium-sulfur) battery, which can be rechargeable, comprising a microporous host-sulfur composite cathode as described herein or a liquid electrolyte comprising a liquid electrolyte solvent and a liquid electrolyte salt or electrolyte additive as described herein or a combination thereof. The batteries can be used in devices such as, for example, battery packs.

Abstract: Systems and methods to upgrade a feedstock include a metal/oxygen electrochemical cell having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte in which the cell is configured to produce superoxide. The superoxide can react or complex with a feedstock to upgrade the feedstock.

Abstract: Hybrid electrodes for batteries are disclosed having a protective electrochemically active layer on a metal layer. Other hybrid electrodes include a silicon salt on a metal electrode. The protective layer can be formed directly from the reaction between the metal electrode and a metal salt in a pre-treatment solution and/or from a reaction of the metal salt added in an electrolyte so that the protective layer can be formed in situ during battery formation cycles.

Abstract: Nano-colloids of near monodisperse, carbon-coated SnO2 nano-colloids. There are also carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles. There are also SnO2/carbon composite hollow spheres as well as an anode of a Li-ion battery having the nano-colloids. There is also a method for synthesizing SnO2 nano-colloids. There are also coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres, a method for making coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres and an anode of a Li-ion battery formed from the coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres.

Abstract: A cross-linked polymeric material is formed by polymerizing a polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate and a sulfonate salt containing a double bond that facilitates covalent bonding of the sulfonate salt to the polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate. In the polymeric material, cations from the salt are optionally replaced with metal ions selected from sodium, lithium, aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. Related methods and membranes and batteries including the cross-linked polymeric material are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium metal anode comprising a Langmuir-Blodgett films as an artificial solid electrolyte interface layer, a lithium metal battery comprising the same, and a preparation method thereof. Various ultra-thin film layers made of carbon and ceramic are formed on the surface of the LiM to serve as a stable artificial SEI layer and suppress formation and perforation of lithium dendrite and side reactions.

Abstract: A sodium-ion conducting (e.g., sodium-sulfur) battery, which can be rechargeable, comprising a microporous host-sulfur composite cathode as described herein or a liquid electrolyte comprising a liquid electrolyte solvent and a liquid electrolyte salt or electrolyte additive as described herein or a combination thereof. The batteries can be used in devices such as, for example, battery packs.

Abstract: Organized materials on a substrate. The organized materials are monolayer(s) of close-packed nanoparticles and/or microparticles. The organized materials can be formed by transfer of one or more monolayers to a substrate from a coating composition on which a monolayer of close-packed nanoparticles and/or microparticles is formed. Organized materials on a substrate can be used in devices such as, for example, batteries, capacitors, and wearable electronics.

Abstract: A non-aqueous Na-oxygen battery utilizes a gas mixture of CO2 and O2 as fuel. The battery exhibits a comparatively high specific energy of 6500-7000 Whkg?1 over a range of CO2 feed compositions. The energy density achieved is higher, by 200% to 300%, than obtained with pure oxygen feed. Ex-situ FTIR and XRD analysis confirm Na2O2, Na2C2O4 and Na2CO3 as discharge products. The Na—O2/CO2 battery provides a promising approach for CO2 capture and conversion into electrical energy. The Na—O2/CO2 battery may be extended to other metals. In addition, operation of a metal battery fueled at least in-part by carbon dioxide within an optimal temperature range is considered.

Abstract: Sulfur containing nanoparticles that may be used within cathode electrodes within lithium ion batteries include in a first instance porous carbon shape materials (i.e., either nanoparticle shapes or “bulk” shapes that are subsequently ground to nanoparticle shapes) that are infused with a sulfur material. A synthetic route to these carbon and sulfur containing nanoparticles may use a template nanoparticle to form a hollow carbon shape shell, and subsequent dissolution of the template nanoparticle prior to infusion of the hollow carbon shape shell with a sulfur material. Sulfur infusion into other porous carbon shapes that are not hollow is also contemplated. A second type of sulfur containing nanoparticle includes a metal oxide material core upon which is located a shell layer that includes a vulcanized polymultiene polymer material and ion conducting polymer material. The foregoing sulfur containing nanoparticle materials provide the electrodes and lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium metal anode comprising a Langmuir-Blodgett films as an artificial solid electrolyte interface layer, a lithium metal battery comprising the same, and a preparation method thereof. Various ultra-thin film layers made of carbon and ceramic are formed on the surface of the LiM to serve as a stable artificial SEI layer and suppress formation and perforation of lithium dendrite and side reactions.

Abstract: Sulfur containing nanoparticles that may be used within cathode electrodes within lithium ion batteries include in a first instance porous carbon shape materials (i.e., either nanoparticle shapes or “bulk” shapes that are subsequently ground to nanoparticle shapes) that are infused with a sulfur material. A synthetic route to these carbon and sulfur containing nanoparticles may use a template nanoparticle to form a hollow carbon shape shell, and subsequent dissolution of the template nanoparticle prior to infusion of the hollow carbon shape shell with a sulfur material. Sulfur infusion into other porous carbon shapes that are not hollow is also contemplated. A second type of sulfur containing nanoparticle includes a metal oxide material core upon which is located a shell layer that includes a vulcanized polymultiene polymer material and ion conducting polymer material. The foregoing sulfur containing nanoparticle materials provide the electrodes and lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance.

Abstract: A metal-based battery includes at least one metal electrode immersed within an electrolyte that includes: (1) an aprotic solvent; (2) a simple halogen containing material; and (3) optionally a metal salt that includes a complex halogen containing anion. The simple halogen containing material may include a metal halide salt that includes a metal cation selected from the group including but not limited to lithium and sodium metal cations. The metal halide salt may also include a halide anion selected from the group consisting of fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide halide anions. The use of the metal halide salt within the metal-based battery provides enhanced cycling ability within the metal-based battery. Also contemplated are additional simple halogen containing material additives that may enhance cycling performance of a metal-based battery.

Abstract: A sandwich-type laminated composite for a battery separator that may be infused with a battery electrolyte uses a corer layer comprising a first nanoporous material to which is laminated upon opposite sides a pair of cladding layers comprising a second nanoporous materials different from the first nanoporous material and comprising a polymer material. A particular construction uses a nanoporous alumina core material and a pair of PVDF-FEP cladding layers to provide the sandwich-type laminated composite.

Abstract: A nanoparticle organic hybrid material (NOHM) containing an organic polymeric corona having a molecular weight in a range of 100-50,000 g/mol, wherein the organic polymeric corona is covalently attached to an inorganic nanoparticle core, wherein the NOHM exhibits liquid-like properties so that the NOHM moves freely and flows in a manner so that when the NOHM is in a container, the NOHM takes the shape of the container, and wherein the NOHM has a volume fraction (fc) of the inorganic particle ranging from about 0.05 to 0.75, methods of making the NOHMs, and compositions containing the NOHMs.

Abstract: A method for preparing an ionic liquid nanoscale ionic material, the ionic liquid nanoscale ionic material and a battery that includes a battery electrolyte that comprises the ionic liquid nanoscale ionic material each provide superior performance. The superior performance may be manifested within the context of inhibited lithium dendrite formation.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer material composition comprises: (1) a plurality of inorganic core nanoparticles as netpoints to which is connected; (2) a switching segment that comprises a polymer network. The polymer network comprises: (1) a corona component bonded to each inorganic core nanoparticle through a first chemical linkage; (2) a canopy component bonded to each corona component through a second chemical linkage; and (3) a plurality of cross-linking components cross-linking between different canopy components through a third chemical linkage. Given various selections for the inorganic core nanoparticles, the corona component, the canopy component, the cross-linking component, the first chemical linkage, the second chemical linkage and the third chemical linkage, various performance and composition characteristics of the shape memory polymer material compositions may be readily tailored.

Abstract: A non-aqueous Na-oxygen battery utilizes a gas mixture of CO2 and O2 as fuel. The battery exhibits a comparatively high specific energy of 6500-7000 Whkg?1 over a range of CO2 feed compositions. The energy density achieved is higher, by 200% to 300%, than obtained with pure oxygen feed. Ex-situ FTIR and XRD analysis confirm Na2O2, Na2C2O4 and Na2CO3 as discharge products. The Na—O2/CO2 battery provides a promising approach for CO2 capture and conversion into electrical energy. The Na—O2/CO2 battery may be extended to other metals. In addition, operation of a metal battery fueled at least in-part by carbon dioxide within an optimal temperature range is considered.

Abstract: A nanoparticle organic hybrid material (NOHM) containing an organic polymeric corona having a molecular weight in a range of 100-50,000 g/mol, wherein the organic polymeric corona is covalently attached to an inorganic nanoparticle core, wherein the NOHM exhibits liquid-like properties so that the NOHM moves freely and flows in a manner so that when the NOHM is in a container, the NOHM takes the shape of the container, and wherein the NOHM has a volume fraction (fc) of the inorganic particle ranging from about 0.05 to 0.75, methods of making the NOHMs, and compositions containing the NOHMs.