Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing positive electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries. It relates, in particular, to a method for fabricating lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials for lithium cells and batteries. The method comprises contacting a hydrogen-lithium-manganese-oxide material with one or more metal ions, preferably in an acidic solution, to insert the one or more metal ions into the hydrogen-lithium-manganese-oxide material; heat-treating the resulting product to form a powdered metal oxide composition; and forming an electrode from the powdered metal oxide composition.

Abstract: A structurally inhomogeneous lithium metal oxide material having the Formula (I): Y[xLi2MO3•(1-x)LiM?O2]•(1-y)Li1+dM?2?dO4; wherein 0?x?1; 0<y<1; 0?d?0.33; and wherein the Li1+dM?2?dO4 component comprises a spinel structure, and each of the Li2MO3 and the LiM?2 components thereof comprise layered structures. Each of M, M?, and M? independently comprises one or more metal ions. The composition of the material of Formula (I) varies across the electrode particles by changing at least one of x, y, d, M, M? and M?. Electrodes, cells and batteries comprising the lithium metal oxide material are also described.

Abstract: Nickel-containing carbon nanofiber (NiCNF) materials and lubricants comprising the nanofiber materials are described herein. The NiCNF materials comprise a plurality of elongate nickel-containing carbon nanofibers. Each NiCNF comprises a carbon nanofiber shaft that is capped at one end by a nickel nanoparticle encapsulated in multiple layers of graphitic carbon. The nanofibers typically have a generally circular cross-section (i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the length-axis of the fibers). The NiCNF materials as useful, e.g., in lubricant compositions, which also are described herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials comprise carbon nanotubes suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium-ion cell comprising a ‘layered-spinel’ composite oxide material is disclosed. The ‘layered-spinel’ can be a material of formula xLiMO2.(1?x)LiyM?zO4, wherein 0<x<1; LiMO2 is a lithium metal oxide having a layered structure in which M comprises one or more transition metals and optionally lithium, and has a combined average oxidation state of +3; and LiyM?zO4 is a lithium metal oxide having a spinel structure, 1?y?1.33, 1.66?z?2, and M? comprises one or more transition metals, and has a combined average metal oxidation state in the range of about +3.5 to about +4.

Abstract: A lithium-metal-oxide positive electrode having a layered or spinel structure for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell and battery is disclosed comprising electrode particles that are protected at the surface from undesirable effects, such as electrolyte oxidation, oxygen loss or dissolution by one or more lithium-metal-polyanionic compounds, such as a lithium-metal-phosphate or a lithium-metal-silicate material that can act as a solid electrolyte at or above the operating potential of the lithium-metal-oxide electrode. The surface protection significantly enhances the surface stability, rate capability and cycling stability of the lithium-metal-oxide electrodes, particularly when charged to high potentials.

Abstract: An electrode material comprising a composite lithium metal oxide, which in an initial state has the formula: y[xLi2MO3.(1?x)LiM?O2].(1?y)Li1+dMn2-z-dM?zO4; wherein 0?x?1; 0.75?y<1; 0<z?2; 0?d?0.2; and z?d?2. M comprises one or more metal ions that together have an average oxidation state of +4; M? comprises one or more metal ions that together have an average oxidation state of +3; and M? comprises one or more metal ions that together with the Mn and any excess proportion of lithium, “d”, have a combined average oxidation state between +3.5 and +4. The Li1+dMn2-z-d M?zO4 component comprises a spinel structure, each of the Li2MO3 and the LiM?O2 components comprise layered structures, and at least one of M, M?, and M? comprises Co. Cells and batteries comprising the electrode material also are described.

Abstract: A stabilized electrode comprising a metal oxide or lithium-metal-oxide electrode material is formed by contacting a surface of the electrode material, prior to cell assembly, with an aqueous or a non-aqueous acid solution having a pH greater than 4 but less than 7 and containing a stabilizing salt, to etch the surface of the electrode material and introduce stabilizing anions and cations from the salt into said surface. The structure of the bulk of the electrode material remains unchanged during the acid treatment. The stabilizing salt comprises fluoride and at least one cationic material selected from the group consisting of ammonium, phosphorus, titanium, silicon, zirconium, aluminum, and boron.

Abstract: A three-component, layered-layered-spinel, composite lithium metal oxide electrode material, in an initial state has the formula: y[xLi2MO3.(1-x)LiM?O2].(1-y)Li1+dMn2-z-dM?zO4; wherein 0?x?1; 0.75?y<1; 0<z?2; 0?d?0.2; and z-d?2. M comprises one or more metal ions that together have an average oxidation state of +4; M? comprises one or more metal ions that together have an average oxidation state of +3; and M? comprises one or more metal ions that together with the Mn and any excess proportion of lithium, “d”, have a combined average oxidation state between +3.5 and +4. The Li1+dMn2-z-dM?zO4 component comprises a spinel crystal structure, each of the Li2MO3 and the LiM?O2 components comprise layered crystal structures, and at least one of M, M?, and M? comprises Co. Cells and batteries comprising the electrode material also are described.

Abstract: Multi-component intermetallic negative electrodes prepared by electrochemical deposition for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries are disclosed. More specifically, the invention relates to composite intermetallic electrodes comprising two or more compounds containing metallic or metaloid elements, at least one element of which can react with lithium to form binary, ternary, quaternary or higher order compounds, these compounds being in combination with one or more other metals that are essentially inactive toward lithium and act predominantly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the electronic conductivity of, and as current collection agent for, the electrode. The invention relates more specifically to negative electrode materials that provide an operating potential between 0.05 and 2.0 V vs. metallic lithium.

Abstract: A lithium-rich spinel metal oxide electrode material has the formula: Li1+dMn2?y?dMyO4, wherein 0<d?0.2; 0.2<y?0.6, and M comprises Ni. The electrode material provides, in many cases, improved capacity retention on cycling and superior capacity when utilized in the positive electrode of a lithium cell relative to conventional electrode materials. Positive electrodes, electrochemical cells, and batteries comprising the electrode material also are described.

Abstract: Nickel-containing carbon nanofiber (NiCNF) materials and lubricants comprising the nanofiber materials are described herein. The NiCNF materials comprise a plurality of elongate nickel-containing carbon nanofibers. Each NiCNF comprises a carbon nanofiber shaft that is capped at one end by a nickel nanoparticle encapsulated in multiple layers of graphitic carbon. The nanofibers typically have a generally circular cross-section (i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the length-axis of the fibers). The NiCNF materials as useful, e.g., in lubricant compositions, which also are described herein.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a thermally-triggered intumescent material or a gas-triggered intumescent material. Such devices prevent or minimize short circuits in a device that could lead to thermal run-away. Such devices may include batteries or supercapacitors.

Abstract: Multi-component intermetallic negative electrodes prepared by electrochemical deposition for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries are disclosed. More specifically, the invention relates to composite intermetallic electrodes comprising two or more compounds containing metallic or metaloid elements, at least one element of which can react with lithium to form binary, ternary, quaternary or higher order compounds, these compounds being in combination with one or more other metals that are essentially inactive toward lithium and act predominantly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the electronic conductivity of, and as current collection agent for, the electrode. The invention relates more specifically to negative electrode materials that provide an operating potential between 0.05 and 2.0 V vs. metallic lithium.

Abstract: Lithium-rich compounds that are precursors for positive electrodes for lithium cells and batteries comprise a Li2O-containing compound as one component, and a second charged or partially-charged component, selected preferably from a metal oxide, a lithium-metal-oxide, a metal phosphate or metal sulfate compound. Li2O is extracted from the electrode precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. Methods for synthesizing and activating the electrodes, electrochemical cells, and batteries containing such electrodes also are described.

Abstract: A lithium-metal-oxide positive electrode having a layered or spinel structure for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell and battery is disclosed comprising electrode particles that are protected at the surface from undesirable effects, such as electrolyte oxidation, oxygen loss or dissolution by one or more lithium-metal-polyanionic compounds, such as a lithium-metal-phosphate or a lithium-metal-silicate material that can act as a solid electrolyte at or above the operating potential of the lithium-metal-oxide electrode. The surface protection significantly enhances the surface stability, rate capability and cycling stability of the lithium-metal-oxide electrodes, particularly when charged to high potentials.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials comprise carbon nanotubes suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: This invention provides lithium-rich compounds as precursors for positive electrodes for lithium cells and batteries. The precursors comprise a Li2O-containing compound as one component, and a second charged or partially-charged component, selected preferably from a metal oxide, a lithium-metal-oxide, a metal phosphate or metal sulfate compound. Li2O is extracted from the above-mentioned electrode precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. The invention also extends to methods for synthesizing and activating the precursor electrodes and to cells and batteries containing such electrodes.

Abstract: A lithium-metal-oxide positive electrode having a layered or spinel structure for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell and battery is disclosed comprising electrode particles that are protected at the surface from undesirable effects, such as electrolyte oxidation, oxygen loss or dissolution by one or more lithium-metal-polyanionic compounds, such as a lithium-metal-phosphate or a lithium-metal-silicate material that can act as a solid electrolyte at or above the operating potential of the lithium-metal-oxide electrode. The surface protection significantly enhances the surface stability, rate capability and cycling stability of the lithium-metal-oxide electrodes, particularly when charged to high potentials.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing positive electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries. It relates, in particular, to a method for fabricating lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials for lithium cells and batteries. The method comprises contacting a hydrogen-lithium-manganese-oxide material with one or more metal ions, preferably in an acidic solution, to insert the one or more metal ions into the hydrogen-lithium-manganese-oxide material; heat-treating the resulting product to form a powdered metal oxide composition; and forming an electrode from the powdered metal oxide composition.