Abstract: Articles and methods involving electrochemical cells and/or electrochemical cell preproducts comprising passivating agents are generally provided. In certain embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes first and second passivating agents. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell may include a first electrode comprising a first surface, a second electrode (e.g., a counter electrode with respect to the first electrode) comprising a second surface, a first passivating agent configured and arranged to passivate the first surface, and a second passivating agent configured and arranged to passivate the second surface.

Abstract: The use of ion-conducting materials to protect electrodes is generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is adjacent to a polymeric layer, such as a porous separator, to form a composite. At least a portion of the pores of the polymer layer may be filled or unfilled with the ion-conducting material. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting layer is sufficiently bonded to the polymer layer to prevent delamination of the layers during cycling of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Electrodes and electrochemical cells that can be operated at high voltages and related methods are generally described.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention are related to lithium batteries, and more specifically, to in-situ control of solid electrolyte interface for enhanced cycle performance in lithium metal batteries. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell comprises a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that is rich in inorganic materials (e.g., LiF, Li2O, Li2CO3) and has various advantageous properties (e.g., improved anode stability, etc.). Some embodiments are directed to methods of electrical energy storage and use of an electrochemical cell. In some cases, the methods comprise applying anisotropic force and/or formation voltage to a cell and forming an inorganic rich SEI layer in-situ.

Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. In some embodiments, the ionically conductive compounds are useful for electrochemical cells. The disclosed ionically conductive compounds may be incorporated into an electrochemical cell (e.g., a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell, a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, an intercalated-cathode based electrochemical cell) as, for example, a protective layer for an electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and/or any other appropriate component within the electrochemical cell. In certain embodiments, electrode structures and/or methods for making electrode structures including a layer comprising an ionically conductive compound described herein are provided.

Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: The use of ion-conducting materials to protect electrodes is generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is adjacent to a polymeric layer, such as a porous separator, to form a composite. At least a portion of the pores of the polymer layer may be filled or unfilled with the ion-conducting material. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting layer is sufficiently bonded to the polymer layer to prevent delamination of the layers during cycling of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. In some embodiments, the ionically conductive compounds are useful for electrochemical cells. The disclosed ionically conductive compounds may be incorporated into an electrochemical cell (e.g., a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell, a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, an intercalated-cathode based electrochemical cell) as, for example, a protective layer for an electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and/or any other appropriate component within the electrochemical cell. In certain embodiments, electrode structures and/or methods for making electrode structures including a layer comprising an ionically conductive compound described herein are provided.

Abstract: Protective layers in lithium-ion electrochemical cells, and associated electrodes and methods, are generally described. The protective layers may comprise lithium-ion-conductive inorganic ceramic materials, such as lithium oxide, lithium nitride, and/or lithium oxysulfide. The resulting lithium-ion electrochemical cells may exhibit enhanced performance, including reduced capacity fade rates and reduced self-discharge rates.

Abstract: Articles and methods involving protected electrode structures are generally provided. In some embodiments, a protected electrode structure includes an electrode comprising an alkali metal and a protective structure directly adjacent the electrode. In some embodiments, the protective structure comprises elemental carbon and intercalated ions. In some embodiments, the protective structure is a composite protective structure. The composite structure may comprise an alloy comprising an alkali metal, an oxide of an alkali metal, and/or a fluoride salt of an alkali metal.

Abstract: The use of ion-conducting materials to protect electrodes is generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is adjacent to a polymeric layer, such as a porous separator, to form a composite. At least a portion of the pores of the polymer layer may be filled or unfilled with the ion-conducting material. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting layer is sufficiently bonded to the polymer layer to prevent delamination of the layers during cycling of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Protective layers in lithium-ion electrochemical cells, and associated electrodes and methods, are generally described. The protective layers may comprise lithium-ion-conductive inorganic ceramic materials, such as lithium oxide, lithium nitride, and/or lithium oxysulfide. The resulting lithium-ion electrochemical cells may exhibit enhanced performance, including reduced capacity fade rates and reduced self-discharge rates.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to electrochemical cells and associated methods. According to certain embodiments, the electrochemical cells comprise an electronically insulating region. In some embodiments, the electronically insulating region can be mechanically compliant. In some embodiments, the insulating region may comprise multiple layers (e.g., mechanically separable layers). The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, reduce the degree to which the electronically insulating region is breached by lithium dendrite growth.

Abstract: Coatings for components of electrochemical cells (e.g., layers for protecting electrodes) are generally described. Associated compounds, articles, systems, and methods are also generally described.

Abstract: Articles and methods involving electrochemical cells and/or electrochemical cell preproducts comprising passivating agents are generally provided. In certain embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes first and second passivating agents. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell may include a first electrode comprising a first surface, a second electrode (e.g., a counter electrode with respect to the first electrode) comprising a second surface, a first passivating agent configured and arranged to passivate the first surface, and a second passivating agent configured and arranged to passivate the second surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to electrochemical cell components, electrochemical cells, and associated methods. According to certain embodiments, the electrochemical cell component may comprise a separator and a layer comprising lithium adhered to the separator. In some embodiments, the separator and layer comprising lithium may be positioned between two electrodes within an electrochemical cell. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the facile introduction of supplemental lithium to an electrochemical cell in a manner that is compatible with existing electrochemical cell fabrication processes.

Abstract: Coatings for components of electrochemical cells (e.g., layers for protecting electrodes) are generally described. Associated compounds, articles, systems, and methods are also generally described.

Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: The use of ion-conducting materials to protect electrodes is generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is adjacent to a polymeric layer, such as a porous separator, to form a composite. At least a portion of the pores of the polymer layer may be filled or unfilled with the ion-conducting material. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting layer is sufficiently bonded to the polymer layer to prevent delamination of the layers during cycling of an electrochemical cell.