Abstract: Described are active materials for storing metal cations, such as lithium ions, in a cathode of an electrochemical cell. The active materials comprise an ordered mixture of sulfurized carbon (SC) particles, smaller ionically conductive particles, and still smaller electrically conductive particles. In comparison with a random mixture, where SC particles are mixed with particles of another material, the ordered mixture creates discrete, solid composition of more than one type of guest particles on the perimeter of SC host particles for ionic and electronic conduction to and from the SC host particles.

Abstract: Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries (electrochemical energy storage devices). The anodes are Li metal anodes having lithiated carbon films (Li-MWCNT) (as dendrite suppressors and protective coatings for the Li metal anodes). The cathodes are sulfurized carbon cathodes. The separators are GNR-coated (or modified) separators. The invention includes each of these separately (as well as in combination both with each other and with other anodes, cathodes, and separators) and the methods of making each of these separately (and in combination). The invention further includes a battery that uses at least one of (a) the anode having a lithiated carbon film, (b) the sulfurized carbon cathode, and (c) the GNR-modified separator in the anode/cathode/separator arrangement. For instance, a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with the Li-MWCNT anode or a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with other anodes (such as a GCNT-Li anode).

Abstract: Alkali metal-sulfur cells and batteries with cathode layers that store alkali metal charge carriers (e.g., lithium ions) in agglomerates of sulfurized carbon. The cathode layers lack costly and environmentally unfriendly nickel and cobalt. The cathode layers are composites that include agglomerates of sulfurized-carbon particles in a conductive binder and interconnected by sp2-bonded carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoribbons, that extend within the agglomerates and between the sulfurized-carbon particles.

Abstract: Alkali metal-sulfur cells and batteries with cathode layers that store alkali metal charge carriers (e.g., lithium ions) in agglomerates of sulfurized carbon. The cathode layers lack costly and environmentally unfriendly nickel and cobalt. The cathode layers are composites that include agglomerates of sulfurized-carbon particles in a conductive binder and interconnected by sp2-bonded carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoribbons, that extend within the agglomerates and between the sulfurized-carbon particles.

Abstract: An anodeless cell with an anode-side current collector and a cathode active surface that supports a layer of anode material. The cathode active material includes a conductive framework of tangled nanofibers with lumps of amorphous carbon-sulfur and the anode material distributed within them. During cell formation, the anode material of the layer and within the cathode material is electrodeposited on the anode current collector to form the anode. The combined anode material within and on the cathode material is more than is required for anode formation. The excess anode material can be removed, and some can be left in the cell to offset losses due to side reactions.

Abstract: Described is a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell in which the anode and the cathode are each equipped with a respective solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that inhibits lithium side reactions. On the cathode side, the SEI layer inhibits the shuttle effect by retaining soluble polysulfides within a cathode active layer while releasing and admitting lithium ions to and from the electrolyte. The cathode SEI is deposited, during cell formation, by depositing a layer of an anode reductant (e.g., metallic lithium) on the surface of the cathode. The resultant electrically conductive layer allows electrons to reduce adjacent electrolyte and form the cathode SEI from electrolyte decomposition products.

Abstract: An anode for an electrochemical cell includes a base layer, predominantly of copper, and an interfacial layer from which extends a carpet of carbon nanotubes. The interfacial layer includes an alloy of the copper and a nanotube catalyst from which the nanotubes nucleate and grow. Lithium metal stored within and between the carbon nanotubes forms an active anode layer.

Abstract: Described are sulfurized-carbon particles, and methods of making them, for use in cathodes of energy-storage devices. In the material that makes up the particles, those carbon atoms with the adjacent sulfur atoms are bonded to the adjacent sulfur atoms via carbon-sulfur bonds. The methods rely on readily available biological materials and sulfur. Biological materials, products of living cells, are made largely of organic macromolecules; namely, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In a cathode, most of the carbon and nitrogen atoms in the carbon-sulfur is incorporated into heterocyclic aromatic rings that strongly bind the sulfur and promote electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A cathode active surface includes a conductive framework of tangled nanofibers with lumps of amorphous carbon-sulfur distributed within them. The amorphous carbon-sulfur lumps are of carbon bonded to sulfur via carbon-sulfur chemical bonds and to the nanofibers via chemical bonds. The strength of the chemical bonds secures sulfur atoms within electrode to suppress the formation of undesirable polysulfides when in contact with an electrolyte. The tangled nanofibers bind the amorphous carbon-sulfur lumps and enhance thermal and electrical conductivities.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize a separator coated by particles for Li dendrite detection in an ordinary two-electrode battery system. The particles can be red phosphorus (RP) particles and/or other particles that are poor electronic conductors, are able to react with Li, and will form an insoluble product with Li, such as silicon, germanium, arsenic, metal oxides, metal halides, metal chalcogenides, chalcogenides, and LiMxEyOz (M=metal, E=nonmetal, O=oxygen, x?0, y?0, z?0). These other particles can be used by themselves or in combination with one another. No additional electrode is needed, and the presence of Li dendrites can be detected simply based on the voltage profile during the charging step.

Abstract: Alkali metal-sulfur cells and batteries with cathode layers that store alkali metal charge carriers (e.g., lithium ions) in agglomerates of sulfurized carbon. The cathode layers lack costly and environmentally unfriendly nickel and cobalt. The cathode layers are composites that include agglomerates of sulfurized-carbon particles in a conductive binder and interconnected by sp2-bonded carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoribbons, that extend within the agglomerates and between the sulfurized-carbon particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making a carbon nanotube hybrid material by depositing a catalyst solution onto a carbon-based material, and growing carbon nanotubes on the carbon-based material such that the grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the carbon-based material through carbon-carbon bonds. The catalyst solution includes a metal component (e.g., iron) and a buffer component (e.g., aluminum) that may be in the form of particles. The metal component of the particle may be in the form of a metallic core or metallic oxide core while the buffer component may be on a surface of the metal component in the form of metal or metal oxides. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the catalytic particles and carbon nanotube hybrid materials. The carbon nanotube hybrid materials of the present disclosure may be incorporated as electrodes (e.g., anodes or cathodes) in energy storage devices.

Abstract: Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries (electrochemical energy storage devices). The anodes are Li metal anodes having lithiated carbon films (Li-MWCNT) (as dendrite suppressors and protective coatings for the Li metal anodes). The cathodes are sulfurized carbon cathodes. The separators are GNR-coated (or modified) separators. The invention includes each of these separately (as well as in combination both with each other and with other anodes, cathodes, and separators) and the methods of making each of these separately (and in combination). The invention further includes a battery that uses at least one of (a) the anode having a lithiated carbon film, (b) the sulfurized carbon cathode, and (c) the GNR-modified separator in the anode/cathode/separator arrangement. For instance, a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with the Li-MWCNT anode or a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with other anodes (such as a GCNT-Li anode).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making a carbon nanotube hybrid material by depositing a catalyst solution onto a carbon-based material, and growing carbon nanotubes on the carbon-based material such that the grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the carbon-based material through carbon-carbon bonds. The catalyst solution includes a metal component (e.g., iron) and a buffer component (e.g., aluminum) that may be in the form of particles. The metal component of the particle may be in the form of a metallic core or metallic oxide core while the buffer component may be on a surface of the metal component in the form of metal or metal oxides. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the catalytic particles and carbon nanotube hybrid materials. The carbon nanotube hybrid materials of the present disclosure may be incorporated as electrodes (e.g., anodes or cathodes) in energy storage devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to an electrode that includes: a porous carbon material; a metal (e.g., Li) associated with the porous carbon material; and a conductive additive (e.g., graphene nanoribbons) associated with the porous carbon material. The metal may be in the form of a non-dendritic or non-mossy coating on a surface of the porous carbon material. The electrodes may also be associated with a substrate, such as a copper foil. The electrodes may be utilized as anodes or cathodes in energy storage devices, such as lithium ion batteries. Additional embodiments pertain to energy storage devices that contain the electrodes of the present disclosure. Further embodiments pertain to methods of making the electrodes by associating porous carbon materials with a conductive additive, a metal, and optionally a substrate. The electrode may then be incorporated as a component of an energy storage device.