Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte, with a coulombic efficiency with respect to lithium of at least 80%, that includes a Group 1 salt dissolved in a mixture containing two sulfone compounds, a mixture containing a sulfone compound and a sultone compound, and/or a mixture containing a sulfone compound and a sulfonamide compound. The Group 1 salt can be a lithium salt, the sulfone compound can be a cyclic sulfone such as thietane-1,1-dioxide and sulfolane, the sultone compound can be a cyclic sultone such as 1,3-propane sultone, and the sulfonamide compound can be a partially fluorinated sulfonamide such as 1,1,1-trifluoro-N,N-dimethylmethanesulfonamide and N-butyl-1,1,1-trifluoro-N-methylmethanesulfonamide. Additives such as another lithium salt, a polyunsaturated compound, a cyclic anhydride, a cyclic unsaturated sultone, and/or a cyclic phosphate can be included in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: Provided is a composition containing a redox charge-transfer complex of an electron donor polymer and an electron acceptor compound where the anionic form of the electron acceptor has a reduction potential higher than the reduction potential of the electron donor polymer; at least one metal salt and at least one additive compound having a dielectric constant of 10 or greater. The composition is a free-flowing, substantially amorphous powder and is useful as a metal ion conducting component of electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A lithium metal electrode having an artificial interphase layer is provided. The artificial interphase layer conducts lithium ions but is nonconductive of electrons. A method to prepare the lithium metal electrode is also provided. A solid state electrochemical cell containing the lithium metal electrode is provided. A solid state lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is provided which has a sustained discharge capacity of about 3 mAh/cm2.

Abstract: An electrode for a solid-state lithium battery is provided. The electrode has a current collector and an electrode active layer of lithium metal or lithium metal alloy on the current collector. A surface layer of a homogeneous nano-alloy particle composition containing nanoparticles of an element M or nanoparticles of a lithium alloy of an element M, wherein M is at least one element selected from elements of Groups 2 and 8-16 is present on the active layer. Solid-state batteries containing the electrode are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a composition containing a redox charge-transfer complex of an electron donor polymer and an electron acceptor compound where the anionic form of the electron acceptor has a reduction potential higher than the reduction potential of the electron donor polymer; at least one metal salt and at least one additive compound having a dielectric constant of 10 or greater. The composition is a free-flowing, substantially amorphous powder and is useful as a metal ion conducting component of electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte, with a coulombic efficiency with respect to lithium of at least 80%, that includes a Group 1 salt dissolved in a mixture containing two sulfone compounds, a mixture containing a sulfone compound and a sultone compound, and/or a mixture containing a sulfone compound and a sulfonamide compound. The Group 1 salt can be a lithium salt, the sulfone compound can be a cyclic sulfone such as thietane-1,1-dioxide and sulfolane, the sultone compound can be a cyclic sultone such as 1,3-propane sultone, and the sulfonamide compound can be a partially fluorinated sulfonamide such as 1,1,1-trifluoro-N,N-dimethylmethanesulfonamide and N-butyl-1,1,1-trifluoro-N-methylmethanesulfonamide. Additives such as another lithium salt, a polyunsaturated compound, a cyclic anhydride, a cyclic unsaturated sultone, and/or a cyclic phosphate can be included in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A microwave induced solvothermal method to prepare lithium thiophosphate composites including ?-Li3PS4 and crystalline Li7P3S11 is provided. The method is scaleable to commercial size production.

Abstract: A lithium sulfide (Li2Sw)-lithium phosphorus sulfide (LixPySz) composite, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods for making the same are described herein. By the mechanochemical method described herein, the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite can be formed and used as the active material in a positive electrode for a variety of electrochemical cells. It is shown herein that the composite is an electrochemically active cathode material. Further, it has been shown that the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite shows increased resistance to decomposition and H2S generation than Li2S.

Abstract: An electrode for a solid-state lithium battery is provided. The electrode has a current collector and an electrode active layer of lithium metal or lithium metal alloy on the current collector. A surface layer of a homogeneous nano-alloy particle composition containing nanoparticles of an element M or nanoparticles of a lithium alloy of an element M, wherein M is at least one element selected from elements of Groups 2 and 8-16 is present on the active layer. Solid-state batteries containing the electrode are provided.

Abstract: A lithium sulfide (Li2Sw)-lithium phosphorus sulfide (LixPySz) composite, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods for making the same are described herein. By the mechanochemical method described herein, the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite can be formed and used as the active material in a positive electrode for a variety of electrochemical cells. It is shown herein that the composite is an electrochemically active cathode material. Further, it has been shown that the Li2Sw—LixPySz composite shows increased resistance to decomposition and H2S generation than Li2S.

Abstract: A microwave induced solvothermal method to prepare lithium thiophosphate composites including ?-Li3PS4 and crystalline Li7P3S11 is provided. The method is scaleable to commercial size production.

Abstract: A lithium metal electrode having an artificial interphase layer is provided. The artificial interphase layer conducts lithium ions but is nonconductive of electrons. A method to prepare the lithium metal electrode is also provided. A solid state electrochemical cell containing the lithium metal electrode is provided. A solid state lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is provided which has a sustained discharge capacity of about 3 mAh/cm2.