Abstract: An antimony based anode material for a rechargeable battery comprises nanoparticles of composition SbMxOy where M is a further element selected from the group consisting of Sn, Ni, Cu, In, Al, Ge, Pb, Bi, Fe, Co, Ga, with 0?x<2 and 0?y?2.5+2x. The nanoparticles form a substantially monodisperse ensemble with an average size not exceeding a value of 30 nm and by a size deviation not exceeding 15%. A method for preparing the antimony based anode material is carried out in situ in a non-aqueous solvent and starts by reacting an antimony salt and an organometallic amide reactant and oleylamine.

Abstract: An anode active material for a lithium secondary battery, the anode active material including a metal silicide core, a silicon shell disposed on the core, and a metal nitride disposed on a surface of the silicon shell opposite the core.

Abstract: Positive electrode active material particles for lithium ion secondary batteries include: a core particle including a first olivine-structured, lithium-containing phosphate compound which includes Fe and/or Mn and Li; and a shell layer attached to the surface of the core particle. The shell layer includes a second olivine-structured, lithium-containing phosphate compound which includes Fe and/or Mn and Li. At least the core particle includes a phosphorous compound represented by the formula (1): MemPnOp, where Me is Fe and/or Mn, 0<m?3, 0<n?3, and 0?p?5; a content C1 of the phosphorous compound in the core particle is 0.5 to 3 mol %; and when the shell layer includes the phosphorous compound represented by the formula (1), a content C2 of the phosphorous compound in the shell layer is smaller than the C1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a silicon-based negative electrode active material, a negative electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. More particularly, the method for preparing the silicon-based negative electrode active material comprises: preparing a porous silica (SiO2) and a thin metal film; coating the porous silica onto the thin metal film; reducing the porous silica to a porous silicon by performing heat-treatment of the thin metal film and the porous silica; and obtaining the porous silicon.

Abstract: A biodegradable battery is provided. The battery includes an anode comprising a material including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein electrochemical oxidation of the anode material results in the formation of a reaction product that is substantially non-toxic and a cathode comprising a material including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the cathode being in direct physical contact with the inner surface of the anode, wherein electrochemical reduction of the cathode material results in the formation of a reaction product that is substantially non-toxic, and wherein the cathode material presents a larger standard reduction potential than the anode material.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention describe nanoporous silicon (Si) network thin films with controllable porosity and thickness that are fabricated by a robust and scalable electrochemical process, and then released from Si wafers and transferred to flexible and conductive substrates. These nanoporous Si network thin films serve as high performance Li-ion battery electrodes, with an initial discharge capacity of 2570 mA h g?1, above 1000 mA h g?1 after 200 cycles without any electrolyte additives.

Abstract: In an aspect, a negative active material, a negative electrode and a lithium battery including the negative active material, and a method of manufacturing the negative active material is provided. The negative active material includes a silicon-based active material substrate; a metal oxide nanoparticle disposed on a surface of the silicon-based active material substrate. An initial irreversible capacity of the lithium battery may be decreased and lifespan characteristics may be improved by using the negative active material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive active material for a lithium secondary battery. The positive active material includes a lithium molybdenum oxide having an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern with peaks at 11.5±2°, 21±2°, 38±2°, and 64±2° 2-theta (2?) and represented by Formula 1: LixMoO3, where 1<x?3. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the positive active material.

Abstract: There is provided an improvement for capacitors having activated carbon electrodes by the use of an electrolyte solution containing a carbonate of the formula RO(C?O)OR1 and a conductive salt such as a lithium salt or a quaternary ammonium salt at a concentration of from 0.6 to 3 mol/l.

Abstract: A power storage device having high capacitance is provided. A power storage device with excellent cycle characteristics is provided. A power storage device with high charge and discharge efficiency is provided. A power storage device including a negative electrode with low resistance is provided. A negative electrode for the power storage device includes a current collector and an active material layer including a plurality of active material particles over the current collector. The active material particle is silicon, and the size of the silicon particle is greater than or equal to 0.001 ?m and less than or equal to 7 ?m.

Abstract: To inhibit degradation of charge and discharge cycle characteristics of a secondary battery. To suppress generation of defects due to expansion and contraction of an active material in a negative electrode. To inhibit deterioration of an electrode due to changes in its form. An electrode member including a current collector, an active material, and a porous body is used. The porous body is in contact with one surface of the current collector and includes a plurality of spaces. The active material is located in the space in the porous body. The space has a larger size than the active material.

Abstract: An electrode structure includes a first diffusion barrier layer, an aluminum reflective layer formed over the first diffusion barrier layer. The aluminum reflective layer has a thickness from about 500 angstroms (?) to less than 2,000 ?, a second diffusion barrier layer formed over the aluminum reflective layer, and an electrode layer overlying the second diffusion barrier layer. The electrode structure is applicable in a light emitting diode device.

Abstract: An inexpensive negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes three types of powder materials: alloy material A; alloy material B; and a conductive material. Alloy material A includes a CoSn2 structure containing Co, Sn, and Fe and has an Sn content of at least 70.1 mass % and less than 82.0 mass %. Alloy material B includes Co3Sn2 and has a lower discharge capacity than alloy material A. The proportion RB of the mass of alloy material B based on the total mass of alloy material A and B is greater than 5.9% and less than 27.1%. The content of the conductive material is at least 7 mass % and at most 20 mass % based on the total mass of alloy material A and B, and the conductive material. The exotherm starting temperature for the negative electrode material is less than 375.4° C.

Abstract: An anode includes an anode active material including a lithium titanium oxide, a binder, and 0 to about 2 parts by weight of a carbon-based conductive agent based on 100 parts by weight of the lithium titanium oxide.

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

Abstract: A positive electrode includes: a positive electrode collector; and a positive electrode active material layer provided on the positive electrode collector and containing a positive electrode active material and an alkaline earth metal carbonate having a fixed form.

Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to a sulfur-carbon composite material comprising: (i) a bimodal porous carbon component containing therein a first mode of pores which are mesopores, and a second mode of pores which are micropores; and (ii) elemental sulfur contained in at least a portion of said micropores. The invention is also directed to the aforesaid sulfur-carbon composite as a layer on a current collector material; a lithium ion battery containing the sulfur-carbon composite in a cathode therein; as well as a method for preparing the sulfur-composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium mixed metal oxide which is useful for a positive electrode active material that is capable of providing a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having more excellent cycle characteristics, in particular, more excellent cycle characteristics during high-temperature operation at 60 DEG C. or the like. Specifically disclosed is a lithium mixed metal oxide represented by the following formula (A). Lix(Mn1-y-zNiyFez)O2 (A) (In the formula, x is not less than 0.9 and not more than 1.3; y is 0.46 or more and less than 0.5; and z is 0 or more and less than 0.1.) Also disclosed are: a positive electrode active material which comprises the lithium mixed metal oxide; a positive electrode which comprises the positive electrode active material; and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which comprises the positive electrode.

Abstract: A cathode for a lithium-ion secondary battery is provided, which not only efficiently absorbs oxygen released from a solid solution based cathode active material when initial charging is applied but prevents a cathode energy density from lowering. Further, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a vehicle and a power storage system equipped with the lithium-ion secondary battery are provided. The cathode for a lithium-ion secondary battery comprises a cathode active material represented by the general formula: xLi2MO3-(1?x)LiM?O2 (where 0<x<1; M is at least one element selected from the group of Mn, Ti and Zr; and M? is at least one element selected from the group of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Al, Mg, Cr and V), and an oxygen absorbing substance having both oxygen absorbing and lithium-ion intercalation/de-intercalation abilities. Herein, the oxygen absorbing substance is disposed on the cathode active material.

Abstract: A current collector for a nonaqueous solvent secondary battery, which includes: a first metal layer; and a second metal layer stacked on a surface of the first metal layer, is composed so that a Young's modulus (E1), Vickers hardness (Hv1) and thickness (T1) of the first metal layer and a Young's modulus (E2), Vickers hardness (Hv2) and thickness (T2) of the second metal layer can satisfy the following Expression: (E1>E2 or Hv1>Hv2); and T1<T2.

Abstract: A negative active material including graphite; silicon nanowires; and silicon nanoparticles, wherein a silicon nanowire of the silicon nanowires and a silicon nanoparticle of the silicon nanoparticles are each disposed on a particle of the graphite to form a composite with the graphite.

Abstract: Provided are an anode active material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries and an anode, which are capable, when used in a lithium ion rechargeable battery, of providing excellent charge/discharge capacity and cycle characteristics, and also high rate performance, as well as a lithium ion rechargeable battery using the same. The anode active material contains particles having a crystal phase represented by RAx, wherein R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements including Sc and Y but excluding La, A is Si and/or Ge, and x satisfies 1.0?x?2.0, and a crystal phase consisting of A. The material is thus useful as an anode material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: One of objects is to reduce the effect caused by the volume expansion of an active material. An embodiment is a method for manufacturing an electrode for a power storage device which includes an active material over one of surfaces of a current collector. The active material is formed by forming a conductive body functioning as the current collector; forming a mixed layer including an amorphous region and a microcrystalline region over one of surfaces of the conductive body; and etching the mixed layer selectively, so that a part of or the whole of the amorphous region is removed and the microcrystalline region is exposed. Thus, the effect caused by the volume expansion of the active material is reduced.

Abstract: A needle-like structure of silicon is provided. A crystalline silicon region is formed over a metal substrate by an LPCVD method, whereby whisker-like crystalline silicon which is a polycrystalline body and grows in the <110> direction or the <211> direction with {111} the plane as a twin boundary can be obtained. Whisker-like crystalline silicon grows while forming a twin crystal (introducing stacking faults), and an initial nucleus is provided so that the normal direction <111> of the twin boundary is always included in the plane perpendicular to the growth direction of whisker-like crystalline silicon (in a transverse cross section). Such a material is used as a negative electrode active material of a lithium-ion secondary battery and for a photoelectric conversion device such as a solar battery.

Abstract: A composite electrode includes an active component directly bonded to a current collector. The direct bonding provides a low resistance contact between the current collector and the active material. The active component can be provided as fibers of silicon. The fibers can be free or attached to a support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, which includes a silicon-based composite having a silicon oxide of the form SiOx where x?1.5 and at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, P, Li, Ge, Al, and V, and a carbonaceous material. The negative active material of the present invention can improve the cycle-life and high-rate charge/discharge characteristics of a rechargeable lithium battery.

Abstract: Disclosed are an anode active material for secondary batteries, capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, the anode active material including a core including a crystalline carbon-based material, and a composite coating layer including one or more materials selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon, and a hydrophilic material containing oxide capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, wherein the composite coating layer includes a matrix comprising one component selected from (a) the one or more materials selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon and (b) the hydrophilic material containing oxide capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, and a filler including the other component, incorporated in the matrix, and a secondary battery including the anode active material.

Abstract: A method of forming a particulate material comprising silicon, the method comprising the step of reducing a particulate starting material comprising silica-containing particles having an aspect ratio of at least 3:1 and a smallest dimension of less than 15 microns, or reducing a particulate starting material comprising silica-containing particles comprising a plurality of elongate structural elements, each elongate structural element having an aspect ratio of at least 3:1 and a smallest dimension of less than 15 microns.

Abstract: Provided is a current collecting assembly for use in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the current collecting assembly comprises a current collecting substrate having a first side defining a first surface, and a second side defining a second surface. Each of the first and second surfaces defines a surface area. The current collecting assembly further comprises a first assembly of reinforcing structures disposed on and attached to the first side of the current collecting substrate. The current collecting substrate comprises a conductive material. The first assembly of reinforcing structures comprises a first set of reinforcing structures. The first set of reinforcing structures comprises a first polymer material. The first assembly of reinforcing structures mechanically reinforces the current collecting substrate.

Abstract: A cathode active material having a composition represented by the following formula (1) LiMn1?xMxP1?ySiyO4??(1) wherein M is at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, Y and Al; x is within a range of 0<x?0.5; and y is within a range of 0<y?0.5.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive. The additive includes a gamma butyrolactone compound substituted with at least one F atom at the ?-position.

Abstract: Selenium or selenium-containing compounds may be used as electroactive materials in electrodes or electrochemical devices. The selenium or selenium-containing compound is mixed with a carbon material.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method of manufacturing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes carbon particles having interplanar spacing (d002) ranging from about 0.34 nm to about 0.50 nm at a 002 plane, measured by X-ray diffraction using CuK?, and nitrogen on the surface of the carbon particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous structures comprising sulfur in electrochemical cells. Such materials may be useful, for example, in forming one or more electrodes in an electrochemical cell. For example, the systems and methods described herein may comprise the use of an electrode comprising a conductive porous support structure and a plurality of particles comprising sulfur (e.g., as an active species) substantially contained within the pores of the support structure. The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that, in some embodiments, the sizes of the pores within the porous support structure and/or the sizes of the particles within the pores can be tailored such that the contact between the electrolyte and the sulfur is enhanced, while the electrical conductivity and structural integrity of the electrode are maintained at sufficiently high levels to allow for effective operation of the cell.

Abstract: A composite of silicon and tin is prepared as a negative electrode composition with increased lithium insertion capacity and durability for use with a metal current collector in cells of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-sulfur battery. This negative electrode material is formed such that the silicon is present as a distinct amorphous phase in a matrix phase of crystalline tin. While the tin phase provides electron conductivity, both phases accommodate the insertion and extraction of lithium in the operation of the cell and both phases interact in minimizing mechanical damage to the material as the cell experiences repeated charge and discharge cycles. In general, roughly equal atomic proportions of the tin and silicon are used in forming the phase separated composite electrode material.

Abstract: A negative electrode active material including mesoporous silica having mesopores filled with a metal and a lithium battery including the same.

Abstract: Electrodes employing as active material metal nanoparticles synthesized by a novel route are provided. The nanoparticle synthesis is facile and reproducible, and provides metal nanoparticles of very small dimension and high purity for a wide range of metals. The electrodes utilizing these nanoparticles thus may have superior capability. Electrochemical cells employing said electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing metal nanoparticles and the nanoparticles so produced are provided. The methods include addition of surfactant to a novel reagent complex between zero-valent metal and a hydride. The nanoparticles produced by the method include oxide-free, zero-valent tin nanoparticles useful in fabricating a battery electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon monoxide composite negative electrode material, which comprises silicon monoxide substrate. Nano-Silicon material uniformly deposited on the silicon monoxide substrate and nanoscale conductive material coating layer on the surface of the silicon monoxide/Nano-Silicon. The preparation method of the silicon monoxide composite negative electrode material includes Nano-Silicon chemistry vapour deposition, nanoscale conductive material coating modification, screening and demagnetizing. The silicon monoxide composite negative electrode material has properties of high specific capacity (>1600 mAh/g), high charge-discharge efficiency of the first cycle (>80%) and high conductivity.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries, electrodes, nanofibers, and methods for producing same are disclosed herein. Provided herein are batteries having (a) increased energy density; (b) decreased pulverization (structural disruption due to volume expansion during lithiation/de-lithiation processes); and/or (c) increased lifetime. In some embodiments described herein, using high throughput, water-based electrospinning process produces nanofibers of high energy capacity materials (e.g., ceramic) with nanostructures such as discrete crystal domains, mesopores, hollow cores, and the like; and such nanofibers providing reduced pulverization and increased charging rates when they are used in anodic or cathodic materials.

Abstract: A battery electrode material includes: 1) primary particles formed of an electrochemically active material; and 2) a secondary particle defining multiple, discrete internal volumes, wherein the primary particles are disposed within respective ones of the internal volumes.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing metal nanoparticles and the nanoparticles so produced are provided. The methods include addition of surfactant to a novel reagent complex between zero-valent metal and a hydride. The nanoparticles produced by the method include oxide-free, zero-valent tin nanoparticles useful in fabricating a battery electrode.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems for harvesting heat energy, and associated electrochemical cells and methods, are generally described.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for mass production of silicon nanowires and/or nanobelts. The invented method is a chemical etching process employing an etchant that preferentially etches and removes other phases from a multiphase silicon alloy, over a silicon phase, and allows harvesting of the residual silicon nanowires and/or nanobelts. The silicon alloy comprises, or is treated so as to comprise, one-dimensional and/or two-dimensional silicon nanostructures in the microstructure of the multi-phase silicon alloy prior to etching. When used as anode for secondary lithium batteries, the silicon nanowires or nanobelts produced by the invented method exhibit high storage capacity.

Abstract: To achieve a power storage unit that can be repeatedly bent without a large decrease in charge and discharge capacity. In the flexible power storage unit, the content of a binder in an active material layer containing an active material is greater than or equal to 1 wt % and less than or equal to 10 wt %, preferably greater than or equal to 2 wt % and less than or equal to 8 wt %, and more preferably greater than or equal to 3 wt % and less than or equal to 5 wt %.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode and a lithium battery including the positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a current collector, a first layer irreversibly deintercalating lithium ions, and a second layer allowing reversible intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions. In one embodiment, the first layer further comprises a first sublayer and a second sublayer, in which the first sublayer is interposed between the current collector and the second sublayer. The first sublayer comprises a first active material represented by Formula 1 Li2Mo1-nR1nO3, and the second sublayer comprises a second active material represented by Formula 2 Li2Ni1-mR2mO2. In Formula 1, 0?n<1; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), and combinations of at least two of the foregoing elements.

Abstract: A cathode active material of the present invention is a cathode active material having a composition represented by General Formula (1) below, LiFe1-xMxP1-ySiyO4??(1), where: an average valence of Fe is +2 or more; M is an element having a valence of +2 or more and is at least one type of element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, Y, and Al; the valence of M is different from the average valence of Fe; 0<x?0.5; and y=x×({valence of M}?2)+(1?x)×({average valence of Fe}?2). This provides a cathode active material that not only excels in terms of safety and cost but also can provide a long-life battery.

Abstract: The invention provides composite graphite particles, comprising a core material consisting of graphite having a interlayer distance d(002) of 0.337 nm or less and a surface layer consisting of graphite in which the intensity ratio ID/IG (R value) between the peak intensities (ID) in a range of 1300 to 1400 cm?1 and ( IG) in a range of 1580 to 1620 cm?1 as measured by Raman scattering spectroscopy is 0.3 or higher, wherein the peak intensity ratio I110/I004 between the peak intensities (I110)of face (110) and (I004)of face (004) obtained by XRD measurement on the graphite crystal is 0.15 or higher when the graphite has been mixed with a binder and pressure-molded to a density of 1.55 to 1.

Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery allowed to improve cycle characteristics and initial charge-discharge characteristics is provided. The lithium-ion secondary battery includes a cathode; an anode; and an electrolytic solution. The anode includes an anode active material layer including a plurality of anode active material particles. The anode active material particles each include a core section and a coating section applied to a part or a whole of a surface of the core section, and the core section includes a silicon-based material (SiOx: 0?x<0.5) and the coating section includes an amorphous or low-crystalline silicon-based material (SiOy: 0.5?y?1.8).

Abstract: Anode active materials, anodes, and batteries are provided. In one embodiment, an anode active material includes particles consisting essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon and an alloy of silicon. An average degree of circularity of the particles is 90% or less.