Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical cell having a porous layer with a blend of a first type of boehmite particles and a second type of boehmite particles and an organic polymer binder, where the first type of boehmite particles is different from the second type of boehmite particles with respect to crystallite particle size and/or composition, and the blend ranges from about 50%-50% by weight of the first and second types of boehmite particles to about 60%-40% by weight of the first and second types of boehmite particles. The separator does not include a polymer separator layer; has a shrinkage of less than 1% when heated at 220° C. for 1 hour; and swells by less than 5% when soaked in propylene carbonate for 1 hour.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium battery, wherein the battery comprises an anode, a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises one or more transition metals, an electrolyte, and a porous separator interposed between the cathode and anode, wherein the separator comprises an anionic compound. Also provided are methods of manufacturing such batteries.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium battery is a coating of an inorganic oxide (for example, aluminum oxide) and an organic polymer (for example, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVdF)). In a method, the separator is formed on an electrode material layer (for example, graphite) of an anode electrode. In a first pre-wetting step, a first liquid comprising a first volatile liquid is applied to the electrode material such that pores in the material are filled. In a second step, a second liquid is applied over the first liquid. The second liquid includes inorganic oxide particles and the organic polymer dispersed in a second volatile liquid. The first and second volatile liquids are then substantially removed (for example, by evaporation in a drying oven) thereby leaving the separator coating on the electrode material of the anode, and leaving the pores filled with a gel or solid electrolytic polymer material.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium battery having (a) a porous polymeric layer, such as a polyethylene layer; and (b) a nanoporous inorganic particle/polymer layer on both sides of the polymeric layer, the nanoporous layer having an inorganic oxide and one or more polymers; the volume fraction of the polymers in the nanoporous layer is about 15% to about 50%, and the crystallite size of the inorganic oxide is 5 nm to 90 nm.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium battery, wherein the battery comprises an anode, a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises one or more transition metals, an electrolyte, and a porous separator interposed between the cathode and anode, wherein the separator comprises an anionic compound. Also provided are methods of manufacturing such batteries.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium battery having (a) a porous polymeric layer, such as a polyethylene layer; and (b) a nanoporous inorganic particle/polymer layer on both sides of the polymeric layer, the nanoporous layer having an inorganic oxide and one or more polymers; the volume fraction of the polymers in the nanoporous layer is about 15% to about 50%, and the crystallite size of the inorganic oxide is 5 nm to 90 nm.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in batteries and capacitors comprising (a) at least 50% by weight of an aluminum oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the aluminum oxide is surface modified by treatment with an organic acid to form a modified aluminum oxide, and wherein the treatment provides dispersibility of the aluminum oxide in aprotic solvents such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. Preferably, the organic acid is a sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. Also preferably, the organic polymer is a fluorinated polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Also provided are electrochemical cells and capacitors comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing lithium batteries comprising a separator/electrode assembly having one or more current collector layers interposed between first and second electrode layers of the same polarity, wherein the first electrode layer is coated or laminated overlying a separator layer and the separator/electrode assembly is interleaved with an electrode comprising a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of opposite polarity to said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing lithium batteries comprising a separator/electrode assembly having one or more current collector layers interposed between first and second electrode layers of the same polarity, wherein the first electrode layer is coated or laminated overlying a separator layer and the separator/electrode assembly is interleaved with an electrode comprising a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of opposite polarity to said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium battery having (a) a porous polymeric layer, such as a polyethylene layer, and (b) a nanoporous inorganic particle/polymer layer on both sides of the polymeric layer, the nanoporous layer having an inorganic oxide and one or more polymers; the volume fraction of the polymers in the nanoporous layer is about 15% to about 50%, and the crystallite size of the inorganic oxide is 5 nm to 90 nm.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in batteries and capacitors comprising (a) at least 50% by weight of an aluminum oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the aluminum oxide is surface modified by treatment with an organic acid to form a modified aluminum oxide, and wherein the treatment provides dispersibility of the aluminum oxide in aprotic solvents such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. Preferably, the organic acid is a sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. Also preferably, the organic polymer is a fluorinated polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Also provided are electrochemical cells and capacitors comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium battery, wherein the battery comprises an anode, a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises one or more transition metals, an electrolyte, and a porous separator interposed between the cathode and anode, wherein the separator comprises an anionic compound. Also provided are methods of manufacturing such batteries.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.