Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material capable of being doped/undoped with lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains at least one of thiols, thiophenes, thioanisoles, thiazoles, thioacetates, aromatic sulfones, and the derivatives thereof. The capacity of the battery is not significantly degraded after cycling and its cycle life is significantly long.

Abstract: The invention concerns ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been delocalized. A compound disclosed by the invention is comprised of an amide or one of its salts, including an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality; the compound is further comprised of M as a hydroxonium, a nitrosonium NO+, an ammonium —NH4+, a metallic cation with the valence m, an organic cation with the valence m, or an organometallic cation with the valence m. The anionic portion matches the formula RF—SOx—N−Z, wherein RF is a perfluorinated group, x is 1 or 2, and Z is an electroattractive substituent. The compounds can be used notably for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants, and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte comprises a matrix formed, at least partially, (a) of crosslinked polymer comprising units derived from ethylene oxide and units derived from ethylene oxide substituted with a reactive radical by substitution, at least part of which participates in a crosslinking bond, and (b) of at least an inonizable alkaline salt chelated in said matrix. In addition, a multilayer electrochemical assembly (1) comprises a positive electrode (2) and a current collector (6) of the negative electrode (3) and optionally of its current collector (5), the electrodes being separated by a solid polymer electrolyte (4), as previously described.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lithium ion secondary battery, wherein a positive electrode 3 is prepared by bonding a positive electrode active material layer 7 to a positive electrode collector 6, a negative electrode 5 is prepared by bonding a negative electrode active material layer 9 to a negative electrode collector 10 and a separator 4 which is arranged between these two electrodes and closely adhered thereto by bonding, using a fluoride containing adhesive resin mixed with N-methylpyrrolidone solvent and in which the N-methylpyrrolidone solvent is evaporated to produce through holes, which communicate the positive electrode active material layer 7 and the negative electrode active material layer 9 with the separator 4.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer electrolyte containing a block copolymer comprising one or more blocks having sulfonic acid groups and one or more blocks having substantially no sulfonic acid group, and at least one block among all blocks is a block having aromatic rings in the main chain thereof, and a method for producing the same. The polymer electrolyte is suitable for a proton conductive film of a fuel cell due to excellent water resistance and heat resistance, and high proton conductivity.

Abstract: The composite electrolyte for use in a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery comprises a porous or microporous inert polymer separator laminate which carries another porous polymer containing a dissociable lithium compound, and the adherent polymer layers are impregnated with an organic liquid containing a lithium salt. The porous or microporous separator laminate may be a single polymer layer or a multiple polymer layer. The composite electrolyte is inserted between the electrodes of a rechargeable lithium battery. In another embodiment the porous polymer separator sheet has an adherent dissociable lithium compound containing polymer layer on each of its major faces.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte comprising a polymer, a metal salt and possibly at least one plasticizer or solvent, wherein the polymer is an amphiphilic graft copolymer comprising a backbone carrying hydrophilic and hydrophobic grafts attached to different carbon atoms in the backbone, wherein the hydrophobic grafts are selected from the group of fluorinated chains or alkyl chains having at least 8 carbon atoms

Abstract: The present invention is a grafted polymer electrolyte membrane prepared by first preparing a precursor membrane comprising a polymer which is capable of being graft polymerized, exposing the surface of the precursor membrane to a plasma in an oxidative atmosphere, then graft-polymerizing a side chain polymer to the plasma treated precursor membrane and introducing a proton conductive functional group to the side chain. The resulting grafted polymer electrolyte membrane has excellent stability and performance when used in a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell or for electrolysis of water.

Abstract: A molding, preferably a film-like molding, is produced by a process which comprises the following stage:

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery with an electrolyte containing one or more alkai metal salts, one or more non-aqueous solvents and immobilized by a polymer selected from cellulose acetates, cellulose acetate butyrates, cellulose acetate propionates, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylenes and polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetates, the polymer preferably being used in an amount of at most 15% by weight based on the weight of the salts, solvents and polymer of the electrolyte system, with the proviso that in the case of polyvinlidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylenes, the polymer is present in an amount of at most 12% by weight based on the weight of the salts, solvents and polymer of the electrolyte system. The immobilized electrolyte does not cause problems with respect to leakage from the cell compartment and the elctrolyte also high conductivity implying a capacity utilization more closely approaching the utilization observed for batteries using liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: Novel sulfonylimide and sulfonylmethide compounds are described which are useful as conductive salts. Also described is the use of the above compounds in salt form in battery electrolytes, particular salts having mixed perfluorocarbon and hydrocarbon groups or having all hydrocarbon groups. The above salts are less expensive to produce and still exhibit excellent conductivity and low corrosivity.

Abstract: An electrolyte is provided having a backbone that includes a plurality of aromatic constituents coupled together by at least one atom having a &pgr;-cloud, and in which a halogen atom and an ion exchange group are covalently bound directly to the backbone. Furthermore, the electrolyte is high temperature resistant and may comprise perhalogenated polymers, including perhalogenated polyphenylenes, perhalogenated polyamides, perhalogenated aromatic polyesters, perhalogenated polyimide, etc. Still further, the electrolyte may have acidic groups as ion exchange groups, including sulfonic acid groups, or phosphoric acid groups.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite for an electrochemical reaction apparatus that possesses satisfactory ion conduction properties and has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance, is provided, the solid polymer electrolyte composite is characterized in that a solid polymer electrolyte is contained in the continuous pores of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which has continuous pores and in which the inner surfaces defining the pores are covered with a functional material such as a metal oxide. An electrochemical reaction apparatus containing an electrolyte, wherein said electrochemical reaction apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte composite is used as this electrolyte is also provided.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte obtained by blending (1) a polyether copolymer having a main chain, which is derived form ethylene oxide, and a side chain having two oligooxyethylene groups, (2) an electrolyte salt compound, and, if necessary, (3) a plasticizer which is any one of an aprotic organic solvent or a derivative or metal salt of a polyalkylene glycol having a number-average molecular weight of 200 to 5,000 or a metal salt of the derivative, is superior in ionic conductivity and also superior in processability, moldability and mechanical strength to a conventional solid electrolyte. A secondary battery is constructed by using the solid polymer electrolyte in combination with a lithium metal negative electrode and a lithium cobaltate positive electrode.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte having a high ionic conductivity and a high mechanical strength, and a preparation method therefor. The solid polymer electrolyte comprises a metal salt and a polymer blend of a fluoropolymer and a polyether comprising either or both of an ethylene oxide unit and a propylene oxide unit as a monomeric unit.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte containing a polymeric matrix, a salt, a solvent, and a toughening agent, is provided. The toughening agent may include alumina, silica, zeolite, and metal oxides (e.g., calcium oxide and magnesium oxide), and mixtures thereof. The toughening agent acts as a drying agent to remove excess solvent in the electrolyte. The solid electrolyte have improved mechanical strength and adherence to the anode and cathode.

Abstract: To obtain a lithium ion secondary battery having excellent charge and discharge characteristics in which electric connection between electrodes can be maintained without requiring a strong armor metal case, so that it can be made into thin forms having large energy density.

Abstract: Solid polymer membranes comprised of a high charge density sulfonated poly (phenylene oxide) blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) in varied ratios have improved membrane characteristics. These membranes are inexpensive and possess very high ionic conductivity, and thus are suitable for solid polymer electrolytes in electrochemical applications, especially for the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, the electrolyte double-layer capacitor, and the rechargeable zinc-halide cell. These membranes enhance the performance of these devices.

Abstract: An ionic conductive material chosen from a metal or a hydrogen ion and on anion portion comprising a resonance structure containing a Group IVB atom as the anion portion, and an electron-withdrawing group which is bonded to said resonance structure through a Group VIB atom, which has a good high voltage stability. These materials find applicability in lithium cells.

Abstract: To overcome the drawbacks of a P(VDF-HFP) system gel electrolyte and a cell using the same, a polymer having a vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a backbone and poly-vinylidene fluoride in a side chain featuring good adhesion and exhibiting electro-chemical properties similar to the P(VDF-HFP) system without a crosslinking step is used as a binder for a gel electrolyte or electrode. The invention improves the adhesion of gel electrolyte to a current collector or electrode to reduce internal resistance; develops a polymeric solid electrolyte which is storage stable and capable of continuous lamination of coating layers; and provides an electrode which does not require an extra crosslinking step in assembly procedure, prevents positive and negative electrode materials from stripping off, and experiences a minimal capacitance drop upon repetitive charge/discharge cycles. A lithium secondary cell and an electric double-layer capacitor using the electrode is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and a process for producing it. This invention also describes batteries which employ the polymer electrolyte membrane of this invention.

Abstract: A nonaqueous polymer cell according to the present invention contains a lithium ion conductive polymer having a porosity in the range of 10% to 80%. In the cell of the present invention, the electrolyte is held not only in the pores of the microporous polymer but also within the polymer itself. Consequently, lithium ions can move not only through the pores of the microporous polymer film but through the polymer itself. The cell of the present invention, which contains a microporous polymer having interconnected pores, shows greatly improved high-rate charge/discharge characteristics especially when the microporous polymer is used in combination with an electrode comprising an active material which expands and contracts upon charge and discharge, because volume changes of the active material cause flows of the electrolyte through the pores of the microporous polymer and the flows carry lithium ions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electrochemical cells employing novel plasticizers that can be removed by evaporation under vacuum is provided thereby obviating the need for solvent extraction. The plasticizers comprise 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acetate, dimethyl adipate, dibutyl phthalate, propylene carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical cell wherein the electrode material adheres to the current collector to create good electrical contact is provided. A critical aspect in the process of preparing the polymer mixture for both the anode and cathode slurries is that the polymer (or copolymer) not be subject to high shear so as to be degraded. Polymer degradation contributes to the creation of the polymer concentration gradient in the electrode film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed comprising an electrochemical cell having a positive electrode, an absorber-separator and a negative electrode wherein at least one of the electrodes or absorber-separator comprises a porous polyvinylidene fluoride. The porous polyvinylidene fluoride electrodes have an electrode material combined therewith, and the porous polyvinylidene fluoride absorber-separator has an electrolyte material combined therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety feature for batteries comprising an integrated series of lithium-ion bi-cells. Each individual bi-cell comprises, sequentially, an anode, a film separator, a cathode, a film separator, and an anode. When multiple bi-cells are joined within a single package an insulator element, preferably an electrolyte permeable insulator element, is placed between anode elements of adjoining bi-cells. This insulator element appears to restrict internal shorting during crushing of the battery, thus avoiding undesirable effects of shorting such as thermal run-away and producing a safer battery.