Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the isoelectric pH for materials deposited on or otherwise affixed onto and in contact with an electrode surface, and a method for utilizing the isoelectric pH to form nanometer thickness, self-assembled layers on the material, are described. Forming such layers utilizing information obtained about the isoelectric pH values of the substrate and the coating is advantageous since the growth of the coating is self-limiting because once the surface charge has been neutralized there is no longer a driving force for the solid electrolyte coating thickness to increase, and uniform coatings without pinhole defects will be produced because a local driving force for assembly will exist if any bare electrode material is exposed to the solution. The present self-assembly procedure, when combined with electrodeposition, may be used to increase the coating thickness.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon anode material for rechargeable cells includes providing a metal matrix that includes no more than 30 wt % of silicon, including silicon structures dispersed therein. The metal matrix is at least partially etched to at least partially isolate the silicon structures.

Abstract: A lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery having a composite cathode including an electroactive cathode material, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder. The electroactive cathode material is a single fluorinated carbon having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2. The non-electroactive additive is at least one or a mixture of two or more oxides selected from the group comprising Mg, B, Al, Si, Cu, Zn, Y, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, or Ni. The conductive agent is selected from the group comprising carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof. Finally, the binder is an amorphous polymer selected from the group comprising fluorinated polymers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR), poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), carboxymethyl celluloses (CMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

Abstract: A method of etching silicon of a material comprising silicon, the method comprising the steps of partially covering a silicon surface of the material comprising silicon with an elemental metal and then carrying out a metal-assisted chemical etching of the silicon by exposing the partially covered silicon surface to an etching composition, wherein at least some of the elemental metal for the metal-assisted chemical etching is formed by either: (a) exposing the silicon surface to a composition comprising metal ions, wherein the elemental metal forms by reduction of the metal ions and wherein the composition comprising metal ions is substantially free of HF, or (b) depositing the elemental metal directly onto the silicon surface.

Abstract: An anode active material capable of preventing shape deformation due to expansion and shrinkage and a battery using the anode are provided. An anode active material layer contains a powdery anode active material containing Si or Sn as an element. The average degree of circularity of the anode active material is 0.90 or less. By decreasing the average degree of circularity, the surface area becomes wide, and the reactive region becomes large. As a result, an intense local reaction is prevented, and the number of cracks resulting from expansion and shrinkage are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell comprising an anodic current collector in contact with an anode. A cathodic current collector is in contact with a cathode. A solid electrolyte thin-film separates the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery uses different binders that exhibit different swelling ratios in an electrolyte as cathode binders and thus having superior cycle performance and battery capacity. A first binder is a binder having a large swelling ratio in an electrolyte, and a second binder is a binder having a small swelling ratio in the electrolyte. The first binder is in direct contact with the active material. The second binder may indirectly contact the active material as being present between a plurality of first binders which are in direct contact with the active material.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a photovoltaic system including: a power generation module including at least one power generation section configured to convert energy of light to electrical power, and a power storage module including a plurality of power storage devices configured to store the electrical power converted by the power generation section. The power generation module and the power storage module are connected in parallel. In the power storage module, the plurality of power storage devices is connected in series. And, number of the power storage devices is larger than number of the power generation sections.

Abstract: Silicon slurry for anode active materials of secondary batteries is provided. The silicon slurry includes silicon particles and a dispersion medium. The silicon slurry satisfies dispersion conditions of 1?D90/D50?2.5 and 2 nm<D50<180 nm, where D90 denotes an average diameter of the silicon particles at 90% of cumulative particle size distribution, and D50 denotes an average diameter of the silicon particles at 50% of cumulative particle size distribution.

Abstract: A battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics and the swollenness characteristics is provided. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The node has an anode current collector and an anode active material layer provided thereon, and the anode active material layer contains a plurality of anode active material particles having silicon, and a metal material having a metal element not being alloyed with an electrode reactant in a gap between the anode active material particles.

Abstract: A battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an aqueous electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode and including a cation A. At least one of the cathode and the anode includes an electrode material having an open framework crystal structure into which the cation A is reversibly inserted during operation of the battery. The battery has a reference specific capacity when cycled at a reference rate, and at least 75% of the reference specific capacity is retained when the battery is cycled at 10 times the reference rate.

Abstract: Electrode active material of the invention is mainly an amorphous transition metal complex represented by AxMPyOz (where x and y are values which independently satisfy 0?x?2 and 0?y?2, respectively, and z=(x+5y+valence of M)/2 to satisfy stoichiometry; also, A is an alkali metal and M is a metal element selected from transition metals), and has a peak near 220 cm?1 in Raman spectroscopy. Applying the electrode active material of the invention to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery increases the capacity of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrochemical energy storage systems comprising metallolyte composites, iron fluoride composites and iron oxyfluoride composites. The present invention further provides methods for fabricating metallolyte composites.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode material for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a heat-treated mixture of an oxide powder (a) represented by Formula I and an oxide powder (b) represented by Formula II, wherein a mixing ratio of the oxide powder (a):oxide powder (b) is in a range of 30:70 to 90:10, the oxide powder (a) is monolithic particles having a D50 of more than 10 ?m, and the oxide powder (b) is agglomerated particles having a D50 of less than 10 ?m, and heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of 400° C. or higher. LiCoO2??(I) LizMO2??(II) wherein 0.95<z<1.1; M=Ni1-x-yMnxCoy, 0<y<0.5, and a ratio of Mn to Ni (x/(1?x?y)) is in a range of 0.4 to 1.1.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode having a positive electrode material mixture containing a composite lithium oxide; a negative electrode; a polyolefin separator; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a heat-resistant insulating layer interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The positive electrode material mixture has an estimated heat generation rate at 200° C. of not greater than 50 W/kg. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound together with the separator and the heat-resistant insulating layer interposed therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery with three-dimensional network porous bodies as current collectors in which the internal resistance does not increase even after repeated charging and discharging. A lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode and a negative electrode each having as a current collector a three-dimensional network porous body, the positive electrode and the negative electrode being formed by filling at least an active material into pores of the three-dimensional network porous bodies, wherein the three-dimensional network porous body for the positive electrode is a three-dimensional network aluminum porous body having a hardness of 1.2 GPa or less, and the three-dimensional network porous body for the negative electrode is a three-dimensional network copper porous body having a hardness of 2.6 GPa or less.

Abstract: A negative-electrode active material includes a compound that has a pseudobrookite structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cathode active material including a lithium transition metal oxide based on at least one transition metal selected from a group consisting of Ni, Mn and Co. The lithium transition metal oxide contains fluorine, and most of the fluorine is present on a surface of the lithium transition metal oxide, and at least one metal selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ti, Zr, Al and Fe as well as sulfur (S) are further contained in the lithium transition metal oxide.

Abstract: A conductive agent having a nonzero surface charge, a positive electrode slurry composition of a lithium secondary battery, including the conductive agent, and a lithium secondary battery including the conductive agent.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a positive electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with which characteristics of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, such as a charge/discharge efficiency, a capacity retention ratio, and a discharge capacity retention ratio are not easily degraded even in the case where the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is continuously charged at a high temperature. [Solution] A positive electrode 12 of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 includes a positive electrode active material layer 12b. The positive electrode active material layer 12b contains a positive electrode active material and a compound represented by a general formula (1): MH2PO2 (1). In the general formula (1), M represents a monovalent cation.

Abstract: Pillared particles of silicon or silicon-comprising material and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. These particles may be used to create both a composite anode structure with a polymer binder, a conductive additive and a metal foil current collector, and an electrode structure. The structure of the particles overcomes the problems of charge/discharge capacity loss.

Abstract: A negative electrode and a lithium battery including the same, the negative electrode including nanotubes including a Group 14 metal/metalloid, disposed on a conductive substrate.

Abstract: An anode capable of relaxing the stress due to expansion and shrinkage and a battery using the anode are provided. In the anode, an anode active material layer containing at least one of silicon and tin as an element is provided on both faces of a strip-shaped anode current collector. In the anode current collector and the anode active material layer, at least one penetrating portion that is cut out or slit to penetrate the anode current collector and the anode active material layer is formed to extend to include a longitudinal component of the anode current collector.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing carbon particles for an electrode, each containing particles of a metal capable of forming an alloy with lithium, being formed by an aggregation of numerous fine particles composed of carbon, and having a hollow open-cell structure in which cells among the fine particles form a plurality of interconnected pores. The method includes mixing together a monomer having a low compatibility with a polymer to be formed, an organic solvent having a low compatibility with the polymer to be formed, and particles of a metal capable of forming an alloy with lithium, to prepare a monomer-containing mixture; dispersing the monomer-containing mixture in an aqueous phase to prepare a suspension containing, dispersed therein, oil droplets of the monomer-containing mixture; polymerizing the oil droplets in the suspension to prepare resin particles; and curing the resin particles. The carbon particles find use for negative-electrode in lithium-ion secondary batteries.

Abstract: In a battery production process, a positive electrode active material having a reaction-suppressing layer that does not easily peel off formed on the surface thereof, and a positive electrode and an all-solid-state battery that use said material are provided. The present invention involves positive electrode active material particles for an all-solid-state battery containing sulfide-based solid electrolyte. The positive electrode active material particles are an aggregate containing two or more particles. The surface of the aggregate is coated with a reaction-suppressing layer for suppressing reactions with the sulfide-based solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A composite cathode active material, a cathode including the composite cathode active material, and a lithium battery including the cathode. The composite cathode active material includes: a lithium transition metal oxide; and a lithium-containing impurity on a surface of the lithium transition metal oxide. The lithium-containing impurity includes free lithium in an amount of about 0.050 wt % or less based on a total weight of the composite cathode active material, and LiOH and Li2CO3 in a mole ratio of LiOH to Li2CO3 of about 0.50 or less.

Abstract: This invention provides a nanocomposite-based lithium battery electrode comprising: (a) A porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a three-dimensional network of electron-conducting paths, wherein the nano-filaments have a diameter or thickness less than 1 ?m (preferably less than 500 nm); and (b) Sub-micron or nanometer-scale electro-active particles that are bonded to a surface of the nano-filaments with a conductive binder material, wherein the particles comprise an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and wherein the electro-active material content is no less than 25% by weight based on the total weight of the particles, the binder material, and the filaments. Preferably, these electro-active particles are coated with a thin carbon layer. This electrode can be an anode or a cathode.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a cathode active segment for an electrochemical cell. The cathode active segment includes at least one cathode active material, a cross-sectional width including a first curvilinear surface, a second curvilinear surface, a longitudinal length, and at least one cathode mating surface. The at least one cathode mating surface extends along the longitudinal length of the cathode active segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfur-containing composite, comprising a conductive microporous substrate and sulfur with chain structure loaded into said conductive microporous substrate; as well as an electrode material and a lithium-sulfur battery comprising said sulfur-containing composite.

Abstract: We provide a mesoporous silicon material (PSi) prepared via a template-free and HF-free process. The production process is facile and scalable, and it may be conducted under mild reaction conditions. The silicon may be produced directly by the reduction of a silicon-halogenide precursor (for example, SiCl4) with an alkaline alloy (for example, NaK alloy). The resulting Si-salt matrix is then annealed for the pore formation and crystallite growth. Final product is obtained by removal of the salt by-products with water.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having superior cycle characteristic is provided. The lithium ion secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte. The anode has an anode active material layer including a plurality of anode active material fibers containing silicon as an element provided on an anode current collector.

Abstract: An electrode active material of the present invention is made of a layered composition including organic backbone layers containing an aromatic compound that is a dicarboxylic acid anion having a naphthalene backbone; and alkali metal element layers containing an alkali metal element coordinated to oxygen contained in the carboxylic acid anion to form a backbone. The layered composition has an interplanar spacing between (002) planes of 0.42400 to 0.42800 nm, an interplanar spacing between (102) planes of 0.37000 to 0.37600 nm, an interplanar spacing between (211) planes of 0.32250 to 0.32650 nm, and an interplanar spacing between (112) planes of 0.30400 to 0.30700 nm, as measured by X-ray diffraction. Preferably, the layered composition has an interplanar spacing between (200) planes of 0.50500 to 0.50950 nm as measured by X-ray diffraction.

Abstract: A battery. including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution where at least one of the cathode, the anode, the separator, and/or the electrolytic solution contains at a fluorine resin and is effective to improve cycle characteristics.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise a sulfur-based core and a multi-functional shell. The sulfur-based core is provided to electrochemically react with metal ions during battery operation to store the metal ions in the form of a corresponding metal-sulfide during discharging or charging of the battery and to release the metal ions from the corresponding metal-sulfide during charging or discharging of the battery. The multi-functional shell at least partially encases the sulfur-based core and is formed from a material that is (i) substantially permeable to the metal ions of the corresponding metal-sulfide and (ii) substantially impermeable to electrolyte solvent molecules and metal polysulfides.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing elements ultra-low diameter, ultra-high aspect ratio nanowires. A hierarchical template with ordered and arrayed nanopores either freestanding or on a support material is provided. The template can be pre-shaped. Optionally, one or more compounds can be layered within the nanopores to reduce the diameters thereof. The template is filled with material to form a nanostructure array configured as ultra-low diameter, ultra-high aspect ratio nanowires with a diameter of less than 10 nm. The optional layering is self-initiated by selectively adjusting pH of a coating material. The nanostructure array may be supported in a lower thermal conductivity material. The method can be used to produce elements that function as a phonon-confined thermoelectric device, a photovoltaic device and a battery.

Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical systems and related methods of making and using electrochemical systems. Electrochemical systems of the invention implement novel cell geometries and composite carbon nanomaterials based design strategies useful for achieving enhanced electrical power source performance, particularly high specific energies, useful discharge rate capabilities and good cycle life. Electrochemical systems of the invention are versatile and include secondary lithium ion cells, such as silicon-sulfur lithium ion batteries, useful for a range of important applications including use in portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A storage battery is provided comprising a positive electrode of lead, a negative electrode of gallium and an aqueous electrolyte containing aluminum sulfate. Upon charging the cell, lead dioxide is formed and aluminum is alloyed with the gallium. During discharge, aluminum goes back into solution and lead dioxide is reduced to lead sulfate.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode having a positive-electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative-electrode active material, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution having a nonaqueous solvent dissolving a solute. The negative-electrode active material includes powdered silicon and/or a silicon alloy, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution includes additives composed of at least one fluorinated lithium phosphate selected from the group consisting of lithium monofluorophosphate, lithium difluorophosphate, and lithium trifluorophosphate and a diisocyanate compound, and the nonaqueous solvent includes a chain carbonate compound.

Abstract: A battery having high output voltage, high energy density and excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics is achieved through the use of one of the following negative electrode base members as a negative electrode base member for lithium ion secondary batteries: a negative electrode base member where a metal film is formed on a support having an organic film; such a negative electrode base member where the surface layer of the organic film is covered with a metal oxide film; a negative electrode base member where a metal film is formed on a support having a composite film formed from a composite film-forming material containing an organic component and an inorganic component; and a negative electrode base member where a silica coating is formed, on a support having a photoresist pattern, from a silica film-forming coating liquid and a metal film is formed on the support after removing the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: Novel intermetallic materials are provided that are composed of tin and one or more additional metal(s) having a formula M(1-x)-Sn5, where ?0.1?x?0.5, with 0.01?x?0.4 being more preferred and the second metallic element (M) is selected from iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt(Co), nickel (Ni), and a combination of two or more of those metals. Due to low concentration of the second metallic element, the intermetallic compound affords an enhanced capacity applicable for electrochemical cells and may serve as an intermediate phase between Sn and MSn2. A method of synthesizing these intermetallic materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrodes, energy storage devices using such electrodes, and associated methods are disclosed. In an example, an electrode for use in an energy storage device can comprise porous silicon having a plurality of channels and a surface, the plurality of channels opening to the surface; and a structural material deposited within the channels; wherein the structural material provides structural stability to the electrode during use.

Abstract: Amorphous silicon anode electrodes and devices for a rechargeable batteries having enhanced structural stabilities are provided. An amorphous silicon anode can include an electrically conductive substrate and an electrode layer deposited onto the substrate, where the electrode layer is comprised of one or more amorphous silicon structures, and the amorphous silicon structures have at least one dimension that is less than or equal to about 500 nm.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least 50 weight % of a first particulate electroactive material and 3-15 weight % of a carbon additives mixture comprising elongate carbon nanostructures and carbon black, wherein: the elongate carbon nanostructures comprise at least a first elongate carbon nanostructure material and a different second elongate carbon nanostructure material; and the elongate carbon nanostructures:carbon black weight ratio is in the range 3:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery disclosed in the present application includes: a positive electrode capable of absorbing and releasing lithium, containing a positive electrode active material composed of a lithium-containing transition metal oxide having a layered crystalline structure; and a negative electrode capable of absorbing and releasing lithium, containing a negative electrode active material composed of a lithium-containing transition metal oxide obtained by substituting some of Ti element of a lithium-containing titanium oxide having a spinel crystalline structure with one or more element different from Ti, wherein a retention of the negative electrode is set to be greater than a retention of the positive electrode, and an irreversible capacity rate of the negative electrode is set to be greater than an irreversible capacity rate of the positive electrode, whereby a discharge ends by negative electrode limitation.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries includes a coating layer containing at least nickel (Ni) and/or manganese (Mn) on the surface of a complex oxide particle containing lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co), wherein a binding energy value obtained by analysis of a surface state by an ESCA surface analysis on the surface of the coating layer is 642.0 eV or more and not more than 642.5 eV in an Mn2p3 peak, and a peak interval of Co—Mn is 137.6 eV or more and not more than 138.0 eV.

Abstract: A negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, where the negative electrode contains a carbon material A and a carbon material B. Carbon material A is a multilayer-structure carbon material containing a graphitic particle having an amorphous carbon surface covering, where the interplaner spacing of 002 planes, by wide-angle XRD, is 3.37 ? or less, Lc is 900 ? or more, the tap density is 0.8 g/cm3 or more, and the Raman R value is from 0.25 to 0.6. Carbon material B is a graphitic particle where the interplanar spacing of 002 planes, by wide-angle XRD, is 3.37 ? or less, Lc is 900 ? or more, the tap density is 0.8 g/cm3 or more, the Raman R value is from 0.2 to 0.5, and the average degree of circularity, determined by a flow-type particle analyzer, is 0.9 or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to negative active materials for rechargeable lithium batteries, manufacturing methods thereof, and rechargeable lithium batteries including the negative active materials. A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a core including a material capable of carrying out reversible oxidation and reduction reactions and a coating layer formed on the core. The coating layer has a reticular structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a porous silicon-based negative electrode active material comprising: mixing a porous silica (SiO2) and an aluminum powder; oxidizing all or part of the aluminum powder as an aluminum oxide while at the same time reducing all or part of the porous silica as a porous silicon (Si) by heat-treating a mixture of the porous silica with the aluminum powder, a negative electrode active material, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.

Abstract: Provided is a sodium secondary battery including a graphite felt having a maximum porosity on a surface facing a solid electrolyte and a decreased porosity in a thickness direction, as a cathode current collector impregnated with an electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery including an electrode mixture including an electrode active material, binder and conductive material coated on a current collector. Provided are a method including surface-treating the current collector such that an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer of 40 nm or less is formed on the current collector so as to enhance adhesion between the electrode mixture and the current collector, and an electrode for a secondary battery manufactured using the same.