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: 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 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Sulfur-based electrodes, and associated systems and methods for their fabrication, are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to sulfur-based electrodes with smooth external surfaces. According to some embodiments, relatively large forces can be applied to compositions from which the sulfur-based electrodes are made during the fabrication process. In some such embodiments, the compositions can maintain relatively high porosities, even after the relatively large forces have been applied to them. Methods in which liquids are employed during the electrode fabrication process are also described.

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: 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Sulfur-based electrodes, and associated systems and methods for their fabrication, are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to sulfur-based electrodes with smooth external surfaces. According to some embodiments, relatively large forces can be applied to compositions from which the sulfur-based electrodes are made during the fabrication process. In some such embodiments, the compositions can maintain relatively high porosities, even after the relatively large forces have been applied to them. Methods in which liquids are employed during the electrode fabrication process are also described.

Abstract: Sulfur-based electrodes, and associated systems and methods for their fabrication, are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to sulfur-based electrodes with smooth external surfaces. According to some embodiments, relatively large forces can be applied to compositions from which the sulfur-based electrodes are made during the fabrication process. In some such embodiments, the compositions can maintain relatively high porosities, even after the relatively large forces have been applied to them. Methods in which liquids are employed during the electrode fabrication process are also described.

Abstract: Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. 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: Electrode structures and methods for making the same are generally described. In certain embodiments, the electrode structures can include a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise indentations relative to their convex hulls. As the particles are moved proximate to or in contact with one another, the indentations of the particles can define pores between the particles. In addition, when particles comprising indentations relative to their convex hulls are moved relative to each other, the presence of the indentations can ensure that complete contact does not result between the particles (i.e., that there remains some space between the particles) and that void volume is maintained within the bulk of the assembly. Accordingly, electrodes comprising particles with indentations relative to their convex hulls can be configured to withstand the application of a force to the electrode while substantially maintaining electrode void volume (and, therefore, performance).