Abstract: Disclosed herein are cathode formulations comprising a lithium ion-based electroactive material, and a carbon black, in which the carbon black is selected from one of: (i) a carbon black having an OAN ranging from 100 to 250 mL/100 g and a crystallite size (La) of at least 30 ?, as determined by Raman spectroscopy; (ii) a carbon black having an OAN ranging from 100 to 300 mL/100 g and a surface energy of less than or equal to 10 mJ/m2; and (iii) a carbon black having an OAN ranging from 100 to 300 mL/100 g and a crystallite size (La) of at least 35 ?, as determined by Raman spectroscopy. Also disclosed are cathodes comprising the cathode formulations, electrochemical cells comprising the cathodes, and methods of making the cathode formulations and cathodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cathode formulations comprising a lithium ion-based electroactive material having a D50 ranging from 1 ?m to 6 ?m; and carbon black having BET surface area ranging from 130 to 700 m2/g and an OAN ranging from 150 mL/100 g to 300 mL/100 g. Also disclosed are cathode formulations comprising a first lithium ion-based electroactive material having a particle size distribution of 1 ?m?D50?5 ?m, and a second lithium ion-based electroactive material having a particle size distribution of 5 ?m<D50?15 ?m. Cathodes comprising these active materials can exhibit a maximum pulse power in W/kg and W/L of the mixture higher than maximum pulse power of the first or second electroactive material individually, or an energy density in Wh/kg and Wh/L of the mixture higher than energy density of the first or second electroactive material individually. The cathode formulations can further comprise carbon black having BET surface area ranging from 130 to 700 m2/g.

Abstract: A process for the activation of a membrane electrode assembly, such as a direct methanol fuel cell membrane electrode assembly, with a hydrocarbon fuel, e.g., an alkanol fuel such as methanol, and an oxidant is described. The process comprises repeatedly applying an increasing or decreasing potential in each of a plurality of cycles over a voltage range of at least 0.1 volts, e.g., at least 0.2 volts or at least 0.3 volts, until the membrane electrode assembly is substantially activated. The cycles optionally are organized in cycle sets with rest periods therebetween. The temperature at which the cycles are run optionally is increased or decreased in a respective cycle set.