Abstract: The invention provides fluoride ion host electrodes for use in electrochemical cells. These electrodes include carbon nanomaterials having a curved multilayered structure and a film or particles of a metal-based material. The metal-based material may react with fluorine and may be a transition metal such as silver. The invention also provides electrochemical cells in which the fluoride host electrode serves as at least one electrode of the cell.

Abstract: Subfluorinated graphite fluorides of formula CFx wherein x is in the range of 0.06 to 0.63, e.g., 0.10 to 0.46, are used as electrode materials in electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy to electrical current, e.g., batteries. The invention additionally provides methods of manufacturing electrodes with the subfluorinated graphite fluorides, as well as primary and secondary batteries containing such electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for accurately characterizing thermodynamic and materials properties of electrodes and electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. Systems and methods of the present invention are configured for simultaneously collecting a suite of measurements characterizing a plurality of interconnected electrochemical and thermodynamic parameters relating to the electrode reaction state of advancement, voltage and temperature.

Abstract: Subfluorinated graphite fluorides of formula CFx wherein CFx is in the range of 0.06 to 0.63, e.g., 0.10 to 0.46, are used as electrode materials in electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy to electrical current, e.g., batteries. The invention additionally provides methods of manufacturing electrodes with the subfluorinated graphite fluorides, as well as primary and secondary batteries containing such electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of purifying samples are provided that are capable of removing carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from a sample containing a carbon material having a selected structure. Purification methods are provided for removing residual metal catalyst particles enclosed in multilayer carbonaceous impurities in samples generate by catalytic synthesis methods. Purification methods are provided wherein carbonaceous impurities in a sample are at least partially exfoliated, thereby facilitating subsequent removal of carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from the sample. Methods of purifying carbon nanotube-containing samples are provided wherein an intercalant is added to the sample and subsequently reacted with an exfoliation initiator to achieve exfoliation of carbonaceous impurities.

Abstract: Improved electrode compositions including fluorinated carbon materials. The electrode compositions can include combinations of subfluorinated carbon materials with more than 10 wt % electrically conducting material. The electrode compositions can also include combinations of subfluorinated carbon materials with a different fluorinated carbon material.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrochemical cells capable of good electronic performance, particularly high specific energies, useful discharge rate capabilities and good cycle life. Electrochemical cells of the present invention are versatile and include primary and secondary cells useful for a range of important applications including use in portable electronic devices. Electrochemical cells of the present invention also exhibit enhanced safety and stability relative to conventional state of the art primary lithium batteries and lithium ion secondary batteries. For example, electrochemical cells of the present invention include secondary electrochemical cells using anion charge carriers capable of accommodation by positive and negative electrodes comprising anion host materials, which entirely eliminate the need for metallic lithium or dissolved lithium ion in these systems.

Abstract: The invention provides lithium and lithium ion batteries in which the active material of one of the electrodes includes a substantial quantity of a fluoropolymer or fluoro-oligomer material having carbon-fluorine bonds. The fluoropolymer or fluoro-oligomer active material may be mixed with a substantial quantity of electrically conductive material, and may also be mixed with subfluorinated carbonaceous materials. The batteries of the invention are useful for elevated temperature applications. The invention also provides methods for electrochemical generation of energy which employ the batteries of the invention at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, formulations and methods providing for the effective dissolution of inorganic fluorides in solvents via incorporation of a dissociating agent component. Dissociating agents of the present invention participate in chemical reactions in solution, such as complex formation, acid-base reactions, and adduct formation reactions, that result in enhancement in the dissolution of inorganic fluorides in a range of solvent environments. Dissociating agents comprising Lewis acids, Lewis bases, anion receptors, cation receptors or combinations thereof are provided that significantly increase the extent of dissolution of a range of inorganic fluorides, particularly inorganic fluorides, such as LiF, that are highly insoluble in many solvents in the absence of the dissociating agents of the present invention.

Abstract: Subfluorinated carbonaceous materials obtained through direct fluorination of graphite or coke particles are provided. One set of subfluorinated carbonaceous materials has an average chemical composition CFx in which 0.63<x?0.95, 0.66<x?0.95 or 0.7<x?0.95. The subfluorinated carbonaceous materials are capable of electrochemical performance superior to commercial CF at relatively high rates of discharge.

Abstract: The invention provides fluorinated multi-layered carbon nanomaterials and methods for their production. In one aspect of the invention, the carbon nanomaterials are partially fluorinated and retain some unreacted carbon. The invention also provides electrodes and electrochemical devices incorporating the fluorinated carbon nanomaterials of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrochemical cells providing good electronic performance at low temperatures. Electrochemical cells of the present invention include lithium batteries capable of providing useful specific capacities under significant discharge rates for temperatures as low as ?60 degrees Celsius. The present invention also provides methods for making electrochemical cells including a room temperature predischarge step preceding low temperature operation that enhances the performance of batteries having subfluorinated carbonaceous positive electrode active materials at low temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for accurately characterizing thermodynamic and materials properties of electrodes and electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. Systems and methods of the present invention are capable of simultaneously collecting a suite of measurements characterizing a plurality of interconnected electrochemical and thermodynamic parameters relating to the electrode reaction state of advancement, voltage and temperature.

Abstract: Subfluorinated graphite fluorides of formula CFx, wherein x is in the range of 0.06 to 0.63, e.g., 0.10 to 0.46, are used as electrode materials in electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy to electrical current, e.g., batteries. The invention additionally provides methods of manufacturing electrodes with the subfluorinated graphite fluorides, as well as primary and secondary batteries containing such electrodes.

Abstract: Subfluorinated graphite fluorides of formula CFx wherein x is in the range of 0.06 to 0.63, e.g., 0.10 to 0.46, are used as electrode materials in electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy to electrical current, e.g., batteries. The invention additionally provides methods of manufacturing electrodes with the subfluorinated graphite fluorides, as well as primary and secondary batteries containing such electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of purifying samples are provided that are capable of removing carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from a sample containing a carbon material having a selected structure. Purification methods are provided for removing residual metal catalyst particles enclosed in multilayer carbonaceous impurities in samples generate by catalytic synthesis methods. Purification methods are provided wherein carbonaceous impurities in a sample are at least partially exfoliated, thereby facilitating subsequent removal of carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from the sample. Methods of purifying carbon nanotube-containing samples are provided wherein an intercalant is added to the sample and subsequently reacted with an exfoliation initiator to achieve exfoliation of carbonaceous impurities.

Abstract: Electrodes comprising lithium alloyed with nanostructured silicon materials exhibit improved capacities, cycle lives, and/or cycling rates compared with similar electrodes made from bulk silicon. The electrodes do not require a conductive diluent such as carbon black. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to new carbons containing fluorine. The carbons containing fluorine are obtained from a graphite or a mosaic textured graphitisable compound containing carbon. As a first step, the graphite or the carbon-containing compound is reacted with a gaseous mixture (HF+F2) in presence of an MFn fluoride at a temperature range between 15° C. and 80° C., M representing an element selected among I, Cl, Br, Re, W, Mo, Nb, Ta, B, Ti, P, As, Sb, S, Se, Te, Pt, Ir, and Os and n representing the valency of the element M, with n≧7. As a second step, the compound obtained at the end of the first step is reacted with fluorine for 1 to 20 hours at a temperature range between 20° C. and 400° C. The invention is useful as an active electrode material.

Abstract: A composite carbon/polymer electrode for a rechargeable electrochemical lithium cell comprises a powder of carbonaceous material and a coating polymer rendered ionically conductive by the addition of a lithium salt, and possibly carbon black or carbon fibers. The carbonaceous material has a proportion of volatile matter between 5 and 22 wt %, and is preferably a raw coke or a semi-coke.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is an electrode based on carbonaceous material for rechargeable electrochemical lithium generators. The carbonaceous material is a pitch coke with a mosaic texture subjected to a pre-lithiation treatment before the production of the electrode. The carbonaceous material is preferably a coal tar pitch coke with a mosaic texture. The specific reversible capacities are greater than 400 mAh/g.