Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent mixture, a lithium salt, a non-polymerizing solid electrolyte interface (SEI) precursor additive, and a solvent additive. The solvent mixture includes dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) present in a volume to volume ratio ranging from 20 to 1 to 1 to 20. The non-polymerizing SEI precursor additive is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of a total wt % of the electrolyte, and the solvent additive is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of the total wt % of the electrolyte.

Abstract: Spherical particles of one or more elemental metals and elemental carbon are prepared from a precursor in the form of a metal oleate. The metal oleate precursor is dispersed in a liquid vehicle and aerosol droplets of the dispersed precursor are formed in a stream of an inert gas. The aerosol droplets are heated in the stream to decompose the oleate ligand portion of the precursor and form spherical particles that have a mesoporous nanocrystalline structure. The open mesopores of the spherical particles provide a high surface area for contact with fluids in many applications. For example, the mesopores can be infiltrated with a hydrogen absorbing material, such as magnesium hydride, in order to increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the particles.

Abstract: A positive electrode includes a sulfur-based active material, a binder, a conductive filler, and porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods. The one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods are mixed, as an additive, throughout the positive electrode with the sulfur-based active material, the binder, and the conductive filler. The positive electrode with the porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods may be incorporated into any sulfur-based battery.

Abstract: A surface coating method and a method for reducing irreversible capacity loss of a lithium rich transitional oxide electrode are disclosed herein. In an example of the surface coating method, a dispersion of a lithium rich transitional oxide powder and an oxide precursor or a phosphate precursor in a liquid is formed. The liquid is evaporated. The forming and evaporating steps are carried out in the absence of air to prevent precipitation of the oxide precursor or the phosphate precursor. Hydrolyzation of the oxide precursor or the phosphate precursor is controlled under predetermined conditions, and an intermediate product is formed. The intermediate product is annealed to form an oxide coated lithium rich transitional oxide powder or the phosphate coated lithium rich transitional oxide powder.

Abstract: A porous interlayer for a lithium-sulfur battery includes an electronic component and a negatively charged or chargeable lithium ion conducting component. The electronic component is selected from a carbon material, a conductive polymeric material, and combinations thereof. In an example, the porous interlayer may be disposed between a sulfur-based positive electrode and a porous polymer separator in a lithium-sulfur battery. In another example, the porous interlayer may be formed on a surface of a porous polymer separator.

Abstract: A porous interlayer for a lithium-sulfur battery includes an electronic component and a negatively charged or chargeable lithium ion conducting component. The electronic component is selected from a carbon material, a conductive polymeric material, and combinations thereof. In an example, the porous interlayer may be disposed between a sulfur-based positive electrode and a porous polymer separator in a lithium-sulfur battery. In another example, the porous interlayer may be formed on a surface of a porous polymer separator.

Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive selected from the group consisting of a silane with at least one Si—H group; a fluorinated methoxysilane; a fluorinated chlorosilane; and combinations thereof. The electrolyte may be used in a method for making a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of a lithium electrode. A negative electrode structure may be formed from the method.

Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive selected from the group consisting of a mercaptosilane, a mercaptosiloxane, and combinations thereof. The electrolyte may be used in a method for making a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of an electrode. A negative electrode structure may be formed from the method.

Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent, a lithium salt, and a solvent-soluble film precursor. The solvent-soluble film precursor is selected from the group consisting of (Li2S)1—(P2S5)m—(YX2)n, wherein each of 1, m and n?0 but at least two of 1, m, or n is >0, Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, and Sn, and X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te.

Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent mixture, a lithium salt, a non-polymerizing solid electrolyte interface (SEI) precursor additive, and a solvent additive. The solvent mixture includes dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) present in a volume to volume ratio ranging from 20 to 1 to 1 to 20. The non-polymerizing SEI precursor additive is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of a total wt % of the electrolyte, and the solvent additive is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of the total wt % of the electrolyte.

Abstract: An example of a lithium ion battery electrode material includes a substrate, and a substantially graphitic carbon layer completely encapsulating the substrate. The substantially graphitic carbon layer is free of voids. Methods for making electrode materials are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A positive electrode includes a sulfur-based active material, a binder, a conductive filler, and porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods. The one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods are mixed, as an additive, throughout the positive electrode with the sulfur-based active material, the binder, and the conductive filler. The positive electrode with the porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods may be incorporated into any sulfur-based battery.

Abstract: In an example of the method for making a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of an electrode, the electrode is exposed to an electrolyte solution in an electrochemical cell. The electrolyte solution includes either i) an organo-polysulfide additive having a formula RSnR? (n>2), wherein R and R? are independently selected from a methyl group, an unsaturated chain, a 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)-1-propyl group, or a 4-nitrophenyl group, or ii) a fluorinated organo-polysulfide additive having a formula RSnR? (n>2), wherein R and R? can be the same or different, and wherein R and R? each have a general formula of CxHyF(2x?y+1), where x is at least 1 and y ranges from 0 to 2x. A voltage or a load is applied to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A sulfur-containing electrode with a surface layer comprising voltage responsive material. The electrode is used in a lithium-sulfur or silicon-sulfur battery.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a hollow carbon material, a carbon black particle is obtained. The carbon black particle has a concentric crystallite structure with an at least partially amorphous carbon core and a graphitic carbon shell surrounding the at least partially amorphous carbon core. The carbon black particle is exposed to any of a heat treatment, a chemical treatment, or an electrochemical treatment which removes the at least partially amorphous carbon core to form the hollow carbon material.

Abstract: An example of an electrolyte solution includes a solvent, a lithium salt, a fluorinated ether, and an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of RSxR?, wherein x ranges from 3 to 18, and R—(SnSem)—R, wherein 2<n<8 and 2<m<8. R and R? are each independently selected from a straight alkyl group having from 1 carbon to 6 carbons or branched alkyl group having from 1 carbon to 6 carbons. The electrolyte solution may be suitable for use in a sulfur-based battery or a selenium-based battery.

Abstract: A negative electrode material includes an active material. The active material includes a silicon core selected from the group consisting of Si, SiO2, SiOx (0<x<2), a silicon alloy, and a combination thereof. The active material also includes a hard carbon coating formed on the silicon core. The negative electrode material further includes a non-fluorinated binder. The negative electrode material also includes a conductive filler. The loading of the active material in the negative electrode material is greater than 2 mg/cm2.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a hollow carbon material, a carbon black particle is obtained. The carbon black particle has a concentric crystallite structure with an at least partially amorphous carbon core and a graphitic carbon shell surrounding the at least partially amorphous carbon core. The carbon black particle is exposed to any of a heat treatment, a chemical treatment, or an electrochemical treatment which removes the at least partially amorphous carbon core to form the hollow carbon material.

Abstract: Anodes including mesoporous hollow silicon particles are disclosed herein. A method for synthesizing the mesoporous hollow silicon particles is also disclosed herein. In one example of the method, a silicon dioxide sphere having a silicon dioxide solid core and a silicon dioxide mesoporous shell is formed. The silicon dioxide mesoporous shell is converted to a silicon mesoporous shell using magnesium vapor. The silicon dioxide solid core, any residual silicon dioxide, and any magnesium-containing by-products are removed to form the mesoporous, hollow silicon particle.

Abstract: A coated electrode includes a negative electrode and a carbon coating adhered to a surface of the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes an active material selected from the group consisting of lithium, silicon, silicon oxide, a silicon alloy, graphite, germanium, tin, antimony, or a metal oxide; a conductive filler; and a polymer binder. The carbon coating includes a percentage of a ratio of sp2 carbon:sp3 carbon ranging from 100% (100:0) to 0% (0:100).