Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal negative electrode layer physically and chemically bonded to a surface of a negative electrode current collector via an intermediate metal chalcogenide layer. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may comprise a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal selenide, or a combination thereof. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector by exposing the surface to a chalcogen or a chalcogen donor compound. Then, the alkali metal negative electrode layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the intermediate metal chalcogenide layer by contacting at least a portion of the metal chalcogenide layer with a source of sodium or potassium to form a layer of sodium or potassium on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: Composite cathode-separator laminations (CSL) include a current collector with sulfur-based host material applied thereto, a coated separator comprising an electrolyte membrane separator with a carbonaceous coating, and a porous, polymer-based interfacial layer (PBIL) forming a binding interface between the carbonaceous coating and the host material. The host material includes less than about 6% polymeric binder, and less than about 40% electrically conductive carbon, with the balance comprising one or more sulfur compounds. The PBIL can have a thickness of less than about 5 ?m and a porosity of about 5% to about 40%. The host material can comprise less than about 40% conductive carbon (e.g., graphene) and have a porosity of less than about 40%. The carbonaceous coating (e.g., graphene) can have a thickness of about 1 ?m to about 5 ?m. The CSL can be disposed with an anode within an electrolyte to form a lithium-sulfur battery cell.

Abstract: A battery that cycles lithium ions includes at least one first monopolar electrode having a first polarity and having a first tab and at least one second monopolar electrode having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity and a second tab. The first tab and the second tab are in direct electrical communication with an external circuit. At least one bipolar electrode is disposed between and electrically insulated from the first monopolar electrode and the second monopolar electrode, wherein a first side of the bipolar electrode has the first polarity and a second side of the bipolar electrode has the second polarity. The battery thus comprises at least one first unit cell connected in parallel and at least one second unit cell connected in series.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sulfur-containing electrodes and methods for forming the same. For example, the method may include disposing an electroactive material on or near a current collector to form an electroactive material layer having a first porosity and applying pressure and heat to the electroactive material layer so that the electroactive material layer has a second porosity. The first porosity is greater than the second porosity. The electroactive material may include a plurality of electroactive material particles and one or more salt additives. The method may further include contacting the electroactive material layer and an electrolyte such that the electrolyte dissolves the plurality of one or more salt particles so that the electroactive material layer has a third porosity. The third porosity may be greater than the second porosity and less than the first porosity.

Abstract: The present technology relates to gel electrolytes for using in lithium-ion electrochemical cells and methods of forming the same. For example, the method may include adding one or more gelation reagents to an electrochemical cell including one or more liquid electrolyte precursors. The one or more gelation reagents include one or more initiators and one or more crosslinking agents. Each of the one or more initiators may be one of a thermal initiator and an actinic/electron beam initiator.

Abstract: A method for preparing an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The method includes lithiating an electroactive material using a first electrolyte and contacting the lithiated electroactive material and a second electrolyte to form the electrochemical cell. Lithiating the electroactive material includes contacting the electroactive material and a first electrolyte to form a pretreated electroactive material; contacting a lithium source and the pretreated electroactive material; and applying a pressure to the lithium source and the pretreated electroactive material so as to form a lithiated electroactive material. The first electrolyte includes greater than or equal to about 10 wt. % to less than or equal to about 50 wt. % of one or more solvents selected, including for example, fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). The second electrolyte includes less than or equal to about 5 wt. % of cyclic carbonates and, in certain aspects, one or more electrolyte additives.

Abstract: A method of applying a homogenous film coating to a constituent particle of component includes setting up a target element in a sputtering chamber. The method also includes arranging a receptacle in the sputtering chamber. The method additionally includes arranging the constituent particle on the receptacle. The method also includes bombarding the target element via energetic particles to eject material from the target element and deposit the material onto the constituent particle. The method further includes agitating the receptacle during the bombarding to apply the material to the constituent particle as the homogenous film coating. The method may be used to apply a homogenous thin film coating to a sulfur-infused constituent particle for a sulfur cathode in a lithium-sulfur battery.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sulfur electrodes include providing an electrode, wherein the electrode includes a current collector having a first surface, and a sulfur-based host material applied to the first surface of the current collector, wherein the sulfur-based host material comprises one or more sulfur compounds, one or more electrically conductive carbon materials, and one or more binders. The methods further include forming a plurality of channels within the sulfur-based host material using a laser or electron beam, wherein the plurality of channels define a plurality of host material columns, each column having one or more exterior surfaces contiguous which one or more of the channels which extend outward from the first surface of the current collector. Each of the one or more exterior surfaces can define a heat affected zone comprising a higher concentration of sulfur than the host material column prior to forming the plurality of channels.

Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell is provided herein. The electrode component includes a current collector having a first surface, a metal oxide layer disposed on the first surface of the current collector, and a lithium-containing layer bonded to the first surface of the current collector. The metal oxide layer includes a plurality of features. A method for manufacturing such an electrode component is also provided herein. The method includes directing a laser beam toward the first surface of the current collector in the presence of oxygen to form the metal oxide layer on the first surface and applying the lithium-containing layer to the metal oxide layer thereby bonding the lithium-containing layer with the current collector.

Abstract: Composite cathode-separator laminations (CSL) include a current collector with sulfur-based host material applied thereto, a coated separator comprising an electrolyte membrane separator with a carbonaceous coating, and a porous, polymer-based interfacial layer (PBIL) forming a binding interface between the carbonaceous coating and the host material. The host material includes less than about 6% polymeric binder, and less than about 40% electrically conductive carbon, with the balance comprising one or more sulfur compounds. The PBIL can have a thickness of less than about 5 ?m and a porosity of about 5% to about 40%. The host material can comprise less than about 40% conductive carbon (e.g., graphene) and have a porosity of less than about 40%. The carbonaceous coating (e.g., graphene) can have a thickness of about 1 ?m to about 5 ?m. The CSL can be disposed with an anode within an electrolyte to form a lithium-sulfur battery cell.

Abstract: Low flammability and nonflammable localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) for stable operation of lithium and sodium ion batteries are disclosed. Electrochemical devices including the low flammability and nonflammable LSEs are also disclosed. The low flammability and nonflammable LSEs include an active salt, a solvent comprising a flame retardant compound, wherein the active salt is soluble in the solvent, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble. The LSE may further include a cosolvent, such as a carbonate, a sulfone, a sulfite, a sulfate, a carboxylate, an ether, a nitrogen-containing solvent, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, such as when the solvent and diluent are immiscible, the LSE further includes a bridge solvent.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, a porous or non-porous electrically conductive metal substrate may be provided. A conformal metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on a surface of the metal substrate. The metal substrate with the conformal metal chalcogenide layer may be immersed in a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte solution comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a polar aprotic organic solvent. An electrical potential may be established between the metal substrate and a counter electrode immersed in the nonaqueous liquid electrolyte solution such that lithium ions in the electrolyte solution are reduced to metallic lithium and deposited on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer to form a conformal lithium metal layer on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: High energy density cathode materials, such as LiNixMnyCozO2 (NMC) cathode materials, with improved discharge capacity (hence energy density) and enhanced cycle life are described. A solid electrolyte, such as lithium phosphate infused inside of secondary particles of the cathode material demonstrates significantly enhanced structural integrity without significant or without any observable particle cracking occurring during charge/discharge processes, showing high capacity retention of more than 90% after 200 cycles at room temperature. In certain embodiments the disclosed cathode materials (and cathodes made therefrom) are formed using nickel-rich NMC and/or are used in a battery system with a non-aqueous dual-Li salt electrolytes.

Abstract: An ionic liquid electrolyte composition is provided. The ionic liquid electrolyte composition includes an ionic liquid, a conductive salt, and optionally a stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent is an oxidant, an interface additive, a co-solvent, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sulfur electrodes include providing an electrode, wherein the electrode includes a current collector having a first surface, and a sulfur-based host material applied to the first surface of the current collector, wherein the sulfur-based host material comprises one or more sulfur compounds, one or more electrically conductive carbon materials, and one or more binders. The methods further include forming a plurality of channels within the sulfur-based host material using a laser or electron beam, wherein the plurality of channels define a plurality of host material columns, each column having one or more exterior surfaces contiguous which one or more of the channels which extend outward from the first surface of the current collector. Each of the one or more exterior surfaces can define a heat affected zone comprising a higher concentration of sulfur than the host material column prior to forming the plurality of channels.

Abstract: Low flammability and nonflammable localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) for stable operation of electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors, are disclosed. Electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors, including the low flammability and nonflammable LSEs are also disclosed. The low flammability and nonflammable LSEs include an active salt, a solvent comprising a flame retardant compound, wherein the active salt is soluble in the solvent, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble. In certain embodiments, such as when the solvent and diluent are immiscible, the LSE further includes a bridge solvent.

Abstract: Embodiments of localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) for stable operation of electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors, are disclosed. Electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors, including the LSEs are also disclosed. The LSEs include an active salt, a solvent in which the active salt is soluble, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble. In certain embodiments, such as when the solvent and diluent are immiscible, the LSE further includes a bridge solvent.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, a porous or non-porous electrically conductive metal substrate may be provided. A conformal metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on a surface of the metal substrate. The metal substrate with the conformal metal chalcogenide layer may be immersed in a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte solution comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a polar aprotic organic solvent. An electrical potential may be established between the metal substrate and a counter electrode immersed in the nonaqueous liquid electrolyte solution such that lithium ions in the electrolyte solution are reduced to metallic lithium and deposited on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer to form a conformal lithium metal layer on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, a porous or non-porous metal substrate may be provided. A precursor solution may be applied to a surface of the metal substrate. The precursor solution may comprise a chalcogen donor compound dissolved in a solvent. The precursor solution may be applied to the surface of the metal substrate such that the chalcogen donor compound reacts with the metal substrate and forms a conformal metal chalcogenide layer on the surface of the metal substrate. A conformal lithium metal layer may be formed on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal negative electrode layer physically and chemically bonded to a surface of a negative electrode current collector via an intermediate metal chalcogenide layer. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may comprise a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal selenide, or a combination thereof. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector by exposing the surface to a chalcogen or a chalcogen donor compound. Then, the alkali metal negative electrode layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the intermediate metal chalcogenide layer by contacting at least a portion of the metal chalcogenide layer with a source of sodium or potassium to form a layer of sodium or potassium on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the metal chalcogenide layer.