Abstract: Batteries include a cathode, an interlayer disposed on the cathode, a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the interlayer, and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte. The interlayer includes a deep-eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte including a lithium salt and a sulfone compound. Methods of forming a battery comprising disposing a deep-eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte comprising a lithium salt and a sulfone compound on a first major surface of a cathode. Methods further comprising disposing a solid-state electrolyte over the first major surface of the cathode. The deep-eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte is positioned between the cathode and the solid-state electrolyte.

Abstract: Batteries include a cathode, a solid-state electrolyte, and an anode. In aspects, the anode comprises an alloy including from about 50 atom % to about 90 atom % lithium, from about 5 atom % to about 50 atom % of a first component, and from about 0.1 atom % to about 10 atom % of a second component. In aspects, the anode includes from about 20 atom % to about 99 atom % of a first component and from about 1 atom % to about 20 atom % of a second component. The first component is selected from a group consisting of magnesium, silver, and combinations thereof. The second component is selected from a group consisting of calcium, aluminum, gallium, boron, carbon, silicon, tin, zinc, indium, antimony, silver, and combinations thereof. An amount of the first component is greater than an amount of the second component. The solid-state electrolyte is positioned between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: Batteries include a current collector, a cathode, an interlayer disposed on the cathode, a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the interlayer, and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte. In aspects, the interlayer includes a lithium salt and a sulfone compound within a polymeric matrix. In aspects, the interlayer includes a lithium salt and a sulfone compound. In aspects, methods of forming a battery comprise disposing a precursor solution comprising a lithium salt, a sulfone compound, and a monomer on a first major surface of a cathode. Methods can further include curing the precursor solution to form an interlayer including the lithium salt and the sulfone compound within a polymeric matrix. In aspects, methods can include disposing a lithium salt and a sulfone compound on a first major surface of a cathode. Methods further include disposing a solid-state electrolyte over the first major surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A composition includes a first portion including Ni-rich LiNixCoyMnzO2, where 0.5<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z<1; a second portion including Li3PO4 such that the second portion is coated on the first portion, and the first portion is doped with an elemental metal selected from at least one of Zr, Sn, Nb, Ta, Al, and Fe. The molar ratio between Li3PO4 and Ni-rich LiNixCoyMnzO2 ranges from 0.76:100 to 3.8:100. A method of forming a composition includes mixing a metal precursor with nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) precursor to form a first mixture; adding a lithium-based compound to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and calcining the second mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form the composition.

Abstract: A sintered composite ceramic includes: a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium-rich minor phase, such that the lithium-rich minor phase has LixTiO(x+4)/2, with 0.66?x?4. The sintered composite ceramic may exhibit a relative density of at least 90% of a theoretical maximum density of the ceramic, an ionic conductivity of at least 0.35 mS·cm?1, or a critical current density (CCD) of at least 1.0 mA·cm?2.

Abstract: A composite ceramic including: a lithium garnet major phase; and a grain growth inhibitor minor phase, as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of making composite ceramic, pellets and tapes thereof, a solid electrolyte, and an electrochemical device including the solid electrolyte, as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming a graphene film on a substrate, the methods comprising depositing graphene on a surface of the substrate by a first vapor deposition step to form a discontinuous graphene crystal layer; depositing a graphene oxide layer on the discontinuous graphene crystal layer to form a composite layer; and depositing graphene on the composite layer by a second vapor deposition step, wherein the graphene oxide layer is substantially reduced to a graphene layer during the second vapor deposition step. Transparent coated substrates comprising such graphene films are also disclosed herein, wherein the graphene films have a resistance of less than about 10 K?/sq.

Abstract: A battery includes a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; at least one interlayer disposed on the cathode; a solid-state electrolyte (SSE) disposed on the interlayer; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the at least one interlayer is a deep-eutectic-solvent-based (DES) electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery includes a substrate; a composite cathode disposed on the substrate; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the composite cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the composite cathode comprises a gel polymer electrolyte layer and a porous cathode active material layer. A method of forming a cathode for a solid-state battery includes mixing an active cathode material, at least one of a conductive carbon component and an electronic conductive component, and a polymer binder to form a slurry; immersing the slurry in an alcohol reagent to form a porous disc structure by phase conversion; and immersing the porous disc structure in a liquid electrolyte to form the cathode.

Abstract: A composite ceramic including: a lithium garnet major phase; and a grain growth inhibitor minor phase, as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of making composite ceramic, pellets and tapes thereof, a solid electrolyte, and an electrochemical device including the solid electrolyte, as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming a graphene film on a substrate, the methods comprising depositing graphene on a surface of the substrate by a first vapor deposition step to form a discontinuous graphene crystal layer; depositing a graphene oxide layer on the discontinuous graphene crystal layer to form a composite layer; and depositing graphene on the composite layer by a second vapor deposition step, wherein the graphene oxide layer is substantially reduced to a graphene layer during the second vapor deposition step. Transparent coated substrates comprising such graphene films are also disclosed herein, wherein the graphene films have a resistance of less than about 10 K?/sq.

Abstract: A composition includes a first portion including Ni-rich LiNixCo?MnzO2, where 0.5<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z<1; a second portion including Li?Zr?O?, where 0<?<9, 0<?<3, and 1<?<10 such that the second portion is coated on the first portion, and the first portion is doped with an elemental metal selected from at least one of Zr, Si, Sn, Nb, Ta, Al, and Fe. A method of forming a composition includes mixing a metal precursor with nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) precursor to form a first mixture; adding a lithium-based compound to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and calcining the second mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form the composition.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery includes: a substrate; a composite cathode disposed on the substrate; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the composite cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the composite cathode comprises: active elemental sulfur, conductive carbon, sulfide electrolyte, and ionic liquid.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery, includes: a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; a garnet solid-state electrolyte disposed on the cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the garnet solid-state electrolyte, such that a modification layer is disposed at an interface of the lithium anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte, the modification layer includes: a first portion; and a second portion, such that the first portion has a lithium component and the second portion has a garnet component. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery, includes: stacking a garnet source with at least one lithium source; and heating the stack at a temperature of at least 300° C. for a time in a range of 1 sec to 20 min to form a modification layer, such that the modification layer is disposed at an interface of the garnet source and the lithium source.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery includes: a substrate; a composite cathode disposed on the substrate; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the composite cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the composite cathode comprises: active elemental sulfur, conductive carbon, and sulfide electrolyte, and the sulfide electrolyte is uniformly coated on at least one surface of the conductive carbon. A method of forming a composite cathode for a lithium-sulfur battery includes: synthesizing dispersed carbon fiber from cotton to form carbonized dispersed cotton fiber (CDCF) powder; in-situ coating of the CDCF with an electrolyte component to form a composite powder; and mixing active elemental sulfur powder with the composite powder to form the composite cathode.

Abstract: A sintered composite ceramic includes a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium dendrite growth inhibitor minor phase, such that the lithium dendrite growth inhibitor minor phase comprises lithium tungstate. A method includes sintering a metal oxide component and a garnet component at a temperature in a range of 750° C. to 1500° C. to form a sintered composite ceramic.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery includes: a cathode; a garnet solid-state electrolyte disposed on the cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the garnet solid-state electrolyte, such that a modification layer is disposed at an interface of the lithium anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte, the modification layer comprising an inorganic lithium salt. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery includes treating garnet solid-state electrolyte with an acid solution; and exposing the acid-treated garnet solid-state electrolyte to hydrogen fluoride to form a modification layer atop the garnet solid-state electrolyte.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery, includes: a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; a garnet solid-state electrolyte disposed on the cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the garnet solid-state electrolyte, such that a discoloration layer is disposed at an interface of the lithium anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte, the discoloration layer includes: a first portion; and a second portion, such that the first portion has a lithium component and the second portion has a garnet component. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery, includes: stacking a garnet source with at least one lithium source; and heating the stack at a temperature of at least 300° C. for a time in a range of 1 sec to 20 min to form a discoloration layer, such that the discoloration layer is disposed at an interface of the garnet source and the lithium source.

Abstract: A composite ceramic including: a lithium garnet major phase; and a grain growth inhibitor minor phase, as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of making composite ceramic, pellets and tapes thereof, a solid electrolyte, and an electrochemical device including the solid electrolyte, as defined herein.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery includes a substrate; a sulfur cathode disposed on the substrate; a coating layer disposed on the cathode; a first interlayer disposed on the coating layer; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the first interlayer; a second interlayer disposed on the electrolyte; and a lithium anode disposed on the second interlayer, such that the coating layer is further disposed within pores of the cathode.