Abstract: The present invention relates to dual-layered structured sulfur cathodes comprising (a) an electroactive layer and (b) a non-electroactive conductive layer, wherein the non-electroactive conductive layer adsorbs soluble polysulfides and provides reaction sites for the reduction of polysulfides. The present invention also relates to method of making dual-layered structured sulfur cathodes and electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery is provided that includes a lithium metal-containing electroactive anode; an electroactive cathode formed of a carbon monofluoride compound; an electrolyte solution formed of an organic solvent and a lithium salt; a casing surrounding the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte solution; and a port bored through the casing wherein the port selectively allows the flow of gas into the casing. In addition, a method of using an electrochemical battery is provided that includes providing a lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery; closing the valve of the electrochemical battery to block the flow of gas into the battery; discharging the electrochemical battery after closing the valve of the battery; opening the valve of the electrochemical battery after discharging the electrochemical battery to expose the cathode to the flow of oxygen containing gas; and discharging the electrochemical battery after opening the valve of the electrochemical battery.

Abstract: A lithium/oxygen battery includes a lithium anode, an air cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte soaked in a microporous separator membrane, wherein non-aqueous electrolyte comprises a lithium salt with a general molecular formula of LiBF3X (X=F, Cl, or Br, respectively) and a non-aqueous solvent mixture.

Abstract: A lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery having a composite cathode including an electroactive cathode material, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder. The electroactive cathode material is a single fluorinated carbon having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2. The non-electroactive additive is at least one or a mixture of two or more oxides selected from the group comprising Mg, B, Al, Si, Cu, Zn, Y, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, or Ni. The conductive agent is selected from the group comprising carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof. Finally, the binder is an amorphous polymer selected from the group comprising fluorinated polymers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR), poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), carboxymethyl celluloses (CMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

Abstract: A process of electroless plating a tin or tin-alloy active material onto a metal substrate for the negative electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery comprising steps of (1) immersing the metal substrate in an aqueous plating solution containing metal ions to be plated, (2) plating tin or tin-alloy active material onto the metal substrate by contacting the metal substrate with a reducing metal by swiping one on the other, and (3) removing the plated metal substrate from the plating bath and rinsing with deionized water. A rechargeable lithium battery using tin or tin-alloy as the anode active material.

Abstract: A process of electroless plating a tin or tin-alloy active material onto a metal substrate for the negative electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery comprising steps of (1) immersing the metal substrate in an aqueous plating solution containing metal ions to be plated, (2) plating tin or tin-alloy active material onto the metal substrate by contacting the metal substrate with a reducing metal by swiping one on the other, and (3) removing the plated metal substrate from the plating bath and rinsing with deionized water. A rechargeable lithium battery using tin or tin-alloy as the anode active material.

Abstract: A non-aqueous rechargeable electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte composition produced through the dissolution of a thermally stable lithium salt in a lactone solvent. The resulting cell has stable performance in a wide temperature range between ?40° C. and 80° C. The resulting cell operates across this wide temperature range with a commercially acceptable capacity retention, power loss characteristics, and safety characteristics across this temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dual-layered structured sulfur cathodes comprising (a) an electroactive layer and (b) a non-electroactive conductive layer, wherein the non-electroactive conductive layer adsorbs soluble polysulfides and provides reaction sites for the reduction of polysulfides. The present invention also relates to method of making dual-layered structured sulfur cathodes and electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A lithium/oxygen battery includes a lithium anode, an air cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte soaked in a microporous separator membrane, wherein non-aqueous electrolyte comprises a lithium salt with a general molecular formula of LiBF3X (X?F, Cl, or Br, respectively) and a non-aqueous solvent mixture.

Abstract: A series of fluorinated compounds are disclosed that can be used as the co-solvent of non-aqueous electrolytes for metal/air battery cells. The inclusion of these compounds in electrolyte systems significantly increases the power capability and energy capacity of metal/air batteries by promoting dissolution and increasing solubility of oxygen in the non-aqueous electrolytes.

Abstract: A process of electroless plating a tin or tin-alloy active material onto a metal substrate for the negative electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery comprising steps of (1) immersing the metal substrate in an aqueous plating solution containing metal ions to be plated, (2) plating tin or tin-alloy active material onto the metal substrate by contacting the metal substrate with a reducing metal by swiping one on the other, and (3) removing the plated metal substrate from the plating bath and rinsing with deionized water. A rechargeable lithium battery using tin or tin-alloy as the anode active material.

Abstract: A lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery having a composite cathode including an electroactive cathode material, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder. The electroactive cathode material is a single fluorinated carbon having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2. The non-electroactive additive is at least one or a mixture of two or more oxides selected from the group comprising Mg, B, Al, Si, Cu, Zn, Y, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, or Ni. The conductive agent is selected from the group comprising carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof. Finally, the binder is an amorphous polymer selected from the group comprising fluorinated polymers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR), poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), carboxymethyl celluloses (CMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

Abstract: A lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery is provided that includes a lithium metal-containing electroactive anode; an electroactive cathode formed of a carbon monofluoride compound; an electrolyte solution formed of an organic solvent and a lithium salt; a casing surrounding the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte solution; and a port bored through the casing wherein the port selectively allows the flow of gas into the casing. In addition, a method of using an electrochemical battery is provided that includes providing a lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery; closing the valve of the electrochemical battery to block the flow of gas into the battery; discharging the electrochemical battery after closing the valve of the battery; opening the valve of the electrochemical battery after discharging the electrochemical battery to expose the cathode to the flow of oxygen containing gas; and discharging the electrochemical battery after opening the valve of the electrochemical battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical system is provided by the present invention which includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode; an electrolyte containing a lithium salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent; and a nitrile component in the electrolyte. A preferred nitrile component is an aromatic nitrile. Also described is a process for inhibiting electrolyte decomposition wherein an initial cycle is performed on an inventive electrochemical system such that a solid-electrolyte interphase forms on the anode, inhibiting electrolyte decomposition.

Abstract: A composition is provided as a salt having the formula MBF3X where M is an alkali metal cation and X is the halide fluoride, bromide or iodide. A lithium salt has several characteristics making the composition well suited for inclusion within a lithium-ion battery. A process for forming an alkali metal trifluorohaloborate salt includes the preparation of a boron trifluoride etherate in an organic solvent. An alkali metal halide salt where the halide is chloride, bromide or iodide is suspended in the solution and reacted with boron trifluoride etherate to form an alkali metal trifluorohaloborate. The alkali metal trifluorohaloborate so produced is collected as a solid from the solution. The process is simple and yields alkali metal trifluorohaloborate of sufficient purity to be used directly in battery applications.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composite cathode active material having superior cell characteristics includes mixing and milling starting material, carbon and an organic complexing agent. The mixture is heated at a first temperature in an inert atmosphere to form a composite precursor, and then the precursor is ground and heated at a second temperature in an inert atmosphere to produce a carbon-containing composite cathode material having high electronic conductivity. The said composite cathode has a general formula of LiFe1?xMxPO4—C, within 0?x<1, M is selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, V, Cr, Mn and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The carboxyl borate represents a novel liquid that upon reaction with lithium halide produces a lithium ion electrochemical device electrolyte upon dissolution in an aprotic solvent mixture.

Abstract: An electrolyte compound has the formula where p is an integer from 1 to 3 inclusive; and Yp+ is a metal ion, onium species, or proton; j is an integer value between 0 and 4 inclusive; k is an integer between 1 and 3 inclusive; and the sum 2k and j equals 6; Z is independently in each occurrence CR1R2 or C(O); R1 and R2 are independently in each occurrence H, F or CH3. A process for preparing an oxyfluorophosphate is also provided.

Abstract: A non-aqueous rechargeable electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte composition produced through the dissolution of a thermally stable lithium salt in a lactone solvent. The resulting cell has stable performance in a wide temperature range between ?40° C. and 80° C. The resulting cell operates across this wide temperature range with a commercially acceptable capacity retention, power loss characteristics, and safety characteristics across this temperature range.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the performance characteristics of a battery through the use of the electrolyte composition comprised of a non-aqueous solvent, and a salt mixture. The salt mixture includes an alkali metal electrolyte salt and an additive salt having an anion of a mixed anhydride of oxalic acid and boric acid. Specific additive salts include lithium bis(oxalato) borate and lithium oxalyldifluoroborate. Particular electrolyte salts comprise LiPF6 and LiBF4. The additive salt is present in an amount of 0.1-60 mole percent of the total of the additive salt and electrolyte salt content of the electrolyte.