Abstract: A positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. This material comprises particles of positive electrode material including at least one electrochemically active hydroxide and a substantially continuous, uniform, encapsulant layer surrounding the particles of positive electrode material. The encapsulant layer is formed from a material which, upon oxidation during processing or during charging of the electrode, is convertible to a highly conductive form, and which, upon subsequent discharge of the electrode, does not revert to its previous form. Preferably, the electrochemically active hydroxide includes at least nickel hydroxide. The encapsulant layer is preferably formed from at least cobalt hydroxide or cobalt oxyhydroxide. This layer is formed on the particles of positive electrode material by precipitation from a cobalt salt solution, which can be a cobalt sulfate solution. Also disclosed are positive electrodes including the material and a precipitation method of forming the material.

Abstract: Batteries and especially secondary batteries employing an anode comprising aluminum and a molten, non-aqueous electrolyte containing admixtures of aluminum halide and 1,2,3-trialkylimidazolium halides having the formula TimX: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently alkyl groups of 1 to 12 carbons and X is independently halide or mixtures of halides, e.g., chloride and/or bromide are disclosed. The molar ratio of aluminum hereinafter denoted by Al, to trialkylimidalozium, hereinafter denoted by Tim, in the electrolyte, may be varied over a wide range so as to make the molten electrolyte composition acidic and as such the electrolyte is useful in batteries, especially secondary batteries employing aluminum anodes and a variety of cathodes.

Abstract: Batteries and especially secondary batteries employing selected anodes and cathodes such as conjugated backbone polymers and transition metal chalcogenides inserted with alkali metal cations (especially lithium) and molten, non-aqueous electrolyte compositions containing admixture of aluminum halide and at least one of 1,2,3-trialkylimidazolium halide and 1,3-dialkylimidazolium halide having the formulae TimX and DimX, respectively: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are independently alkyl groups of 1 to 12 carbons and X is independently halide, e.g., chloride and bromide and in some instances an alkali metal and/or tetraalkylammonium salt which may also be incorporated into the electrolyte composition are disclosed.