Abstract: Polymer electrolyte composites for alkali metal electrochemical devices which are formed by coating an inert, lightweight, electrically insulating, non-woven glass fiber net which includes a polyvinyl alcohol binder, with a liquid polymer which may be ionically conductive, and curing the polymer to form a solid or semi-solid state electrolyte composite.

Abstract: An electrochemical device comprising at least one substrate (1, 7), at least one electroconductive layer (2, 6) at least one electrochemically active layer (3, 5) capable of reversibly injecting ions, and an electrolyte (4), wherein the electrolyte (4) is a layer or a multilayer stack comprising at least one layer (4b) made of an ionically conductive material capable of reversibly injecting said ions but whose overall degree of oxidation is maintained essentially constant.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel polar solvents and novel electrolytic compositions comprising such solvents, and having a high range of stability, as required for applications in the field of electrochemistry. The present solvents have a highly polar amide function, and preferably combine with a salt soluble in the solvent and having an anion with a delocalized charge, and at least one polymer, to form an electrolytic composition.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide represented by the general formula (I): Lix Mn(2−y) My1 By2 O4 wherein M represents at least one member selected form among Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Ga, and Mg; 0.9≦x≦1.1; and y=y1+y2, wherein 0.002≦y≦0.5, 0≦y1≦0.5, and 0.002≦y2≦0.1 or represented by the general formula (Ia) Lix Mn(2−y) My O4, which is the same as the general formula (I) except that y2 is 0. In formula (Ia) M and x are each as defined above and 0.002≦y≦0.5; and a cathode active material for a lithium ion rechargeable battery comprising the spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide having improved charge-discharge characteristics produce by the above method. The composite oxide thus produce is a novel one improved in cycle characterized, particularly in charge-discharge cycle characterized in a high-temperature (50° C. or above) environment, and hence is very useful form the viewpoint of industry.

Abstract: A process for conditioning an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of fabricating an electrochemical cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte, associating an additive with the electrochemical cell, elevating the temperature of the electrochemical cell, and cycling the electrochemical cell, and in turn, forming a passivation layer at an interface between one of the electrodes and the electrolyte.

Abstract: A sintered lithium titaniumphosphate is produced by subjecting the powder of a mixture consisting of a Li source, a Ti source, and a P source to spark plasma sintering under an increased pressure.

Abstract: The thin film of non-protonic electrolyte comprises the microporous polyolefin film impregnated with an immobilized non-protonic electrolytic solution, where the film is treated to have improved affinity for the non-protonic solution by graft polymerization of the film with a monomer which can dissolve the non-protonic electrolytic solution, coating of the film with terminal-modified polypropylene which can dissolve the non-protonic electrolytic solution or coating of the film with wax which can dissolve the non-protonic electrolytic solution. The electrolyte-immobilized liquid-film conductor comprises the microporous polyolefin film impregnated with an immobilized non-protonic electrolytic solution, where the film contains an electron-conductive substance and is treated to have improved affinity for the non-protonic solution. The thin film of non-protonic electrolyte comprising the microporous polyolefin film gives a polymer battery, such as lithium battery, when combined with an anode and cathode.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte lithium primary or secondary battery having improved storage property is disclosed. The battery includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode in which the active material is lithium, a lithium alloy or a compound capable of occluding and discharging lithium; and a nonaqueous electrolyte including a solvent containing at least 10 wt % of dioxolane or derivative of dioxolane and an electrolytic solute represented by LiN(CmF2m+1SO2)(CnF2n+1SO2) (where m is a natural number of 1 or greater, and n is a natural number of 2 or greater).

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode for use in a secondary electrochemical cell, such cathode being coated with a very thin, protective film, permeable to ions. The protective film of the cathode usually has a thickness of up to about 0.1 &mgr;m and it provides protection against high voltage charging and overdiscbarging. The present invention further provides a secondary electrochemical cell comprising such a cathode.

Abstract: A polymer-based electrolyte composition having excellent film-forming properties, flexibility, mechanical strength and high hydroxide conductivity is disclosed. The composition comprises an organic polymer having an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt structure; a nitrogen-containing, heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salt; and a metal hydroxide salt. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is cast in the form of a film that is suitable for use as an ion-conducting or other specialty membrane in a power source, such as for example an alkaline battery or fuel cell, that relies on hydroxide anion transport for its operation.

Abstract: An ion-conducting polyelectrolyte moldable and flexible even at low temperatures is disclosed, comprising a (meth)acrylic polymer and an ionic salt, the (meth)acrylic polymer comprising (A) 20 to 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylic monomer represented by formula (I): CH2═C(R1)COO—R2—R3  (I) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms; and R3 represents (XR4)nXR5, wherein X represents —O— or —S—; R4 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 20; and R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, (B) 0 to 80 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylic monomer represented by formula (II): CH2═C(R1)COO—R6  (II) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R6 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and (C) 0 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of comp

Abstract: The invention encompasses battery electrolytes and batteries. In one aspect, the invention encompasses a battery electrolyte which includes the lithium salts, LiN(CF3SO2)2, and LiCF3SO3 in a solvent blend comprising ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a battery. The battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte between the first and second electrodes. The electrolyte comprises these lithium salts in a solvent blend comprising ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses another embodiment of a battery. The battery includes a cathode comprising at least one of MnO2 and (CF)x, and an anode comprising lithium. The battery further includes a non-aqueous electrolyte between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: A solid-state secondary lithium battery with excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics, using a negative electrode active material which shows discontinuous change of potential caused by the lithium ion insertion and extraction reactions, wherein the amount of the lithium ion inserted, until discontinuous change of potential of the negative elctrode takes place, is equal to or smaller than the maximum amount of extraction of lithium ions within the range where lithium ions are inserted and extracted into or from the lithium transition metal oxide reversibly, and a battery assembly using these batteries.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonaqueous-electrolytic solution secondary battery that comprises a negative-electrode material, a positive-electrode material, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing a lithium salt, wherein the battery contains an organoboron compound. This nonaqueous-electrolytic solution secondary battery has high capacity and good charge and discharge cycle characteristics.

Abstract: An electrolyte solution for a lithium secondary battery comprising a non-aqueous solvent, and an electrolyte and a carbonic ester derivative both dissolved therein, said carbonic ester derivative having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, provided that R.sup.2 may be a hydrogen atom and provided that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be connected through a methylene group to form a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Positive and negative active material particles 7a and 9a are adhered to the respective current collectors 6 and 8 by means of a binder resin 11 to prepare positive and negative electrodes 3 and 5. The positive and negative electrode active material layers 7 and 9 are adhered to a separator 4 with the binder resin 11 so that the interlaminar strength between each active material layer 7, 9 and the separator 4 may be not lower than that between the active material layer 7, 9 and the respective current collector 10, 9. A lithium ion-containing electrolytic solution is held in voids 12 made in the active material layers 7, 9 and the separator 4 to complete an electrical connection between the electrodes.

Abstract: Solid composite electrolytes are provided for use in lithium batteries which exhibit moderate to high ionic conductivity at ambient temperatures and low activation energies. In one embodiment, a ceramic-ceramic composite electrolyte is provided containing lithium nitride and lithium phosphate. The ceramic-ceramic composite is also preferably annealed and exhibits an activation energy of about 0.1 eV.

Abstract: A method of preparing an anode material using sepiolite clay having channel-like interstices in its lattice structure. Carbonaceous material is deposited in the channel-like interstices of the sepiolite clay and then the sepiolite clay is removed leaving the carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is formed into an anode. The anode is combined with suitable cathode and electrolyte materials to form a battery of the lithium-ion type.

Abstract: A current collector in the form of a conductive substrate subjected to a special chemical etch on both major surfaces to provide a "basket weave" structure, is described. The basket weave structures has a lattice construction surrounded by a frame and comprising first strand structures intersecting second strand structures to provide a plurality of diamond-shaped openings or interstices bordered by the strands. The strand structures intersect or join with each other at junctions thereby forming the current collector as an integral unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved secondary battery having high weight energy density and good reversibility, more specifically, a battery containing i) a positive electrode comprising a reversible positive electrode material containing an organosulfur compound wherein sulfur-sulfur bond is formed upon oxidation and sulfur-sulfur bond is cleaved upon electrolytic reduction, an electroactive component selected from main group elements compound, electrically conductive ingredients and a current collector containing copper metal; ii) a polymer electrolyte having lithium salt; and iii) a negative electrode made of lithium metal, lithium alloy or lithium intercalating carbon.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte composites for alkali metal electrochemical devices which are formed by coating an inert, lightweight, electrically insulating, woven or non-woven glass fiber net with a liquid, ion-conductive polymer, and curing the polymer to form a solid state or semi-solid state electrolyte composite.

Abstract: A glass-polymer composite electrolyte includes a glass electrolyte having a lithium compound and at least one compound selected from P.sub.2 S.sub.5, SiS.sub.2 or GeS.sub.2, and a polymer electrolyte comprising a lithium salt.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery is disclosed, comprising a positive electrode sheet containing a lithium-containing transition metal oxide as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode sheet having at least one layer containing a negative electrode material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a lithium metal salt, wherein the battery into which an electrolytic solution has been injected is sealed, subjected to charging treatment having at least two stages, and subjected to storage treatment having at least two steps. A process for preparing such the nonaqueous secondary battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries can be equipped with internal electrical disconnect devices to protect against overcharge abuse. At the abnormally high voltages of overcharge, the devices can be activated by gasses generated as a result of the electrochemical polymerization of suitable monomer additives incorporated in the electrolyte. Aromatic compounds such as biphenyl are particularly suitable aromatic additives for LiCoO.sub.2 based lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for generating acid-free lithium salt solutions for lithium and lithium ion batteries and for preparing high purity lithium salts. The invention comprises removing acid species from lithium salt solutions such as lithium hexafluorophosphate solutions using weak base resins. The process does not require the addition of a base such as ammonia which when added to the electrolytic solution generally must be removed from the final product. Once the lithium salt has been treated by the weak base resin, the substantially acid-free lithium salt solution may be recovered from the weak base resin to provide a solution which may be used as an electrolytic solution or which may be used to prepare high purity lithium salts.

Abstract: There are provided glass-ceramics having a high lithium ion conductivity which include in mol %:______________________________________ P.sub.2 O.sub.5 35-40% SiO.sub.2 0-15% GeO.sub.2 + TiO.sub.2 25-50% in which GeO.sub.2 0 <-50% and TiO.sub.2 0-<50% ZrO.sub.2 0-10% M.sub.2 O.sub.3 (where M is one or 0.5-15% two selected from the group consisting of Al and Ga) Li.sub.2 O 10-25% ______________________________________and containing Li.sub.1+X M.sub.X (Ge.sub.1-Y Ti.sub.Y).sub.2-X (PO.sub.4).sub.3 (where 0<X<0.8 and 0<Y<1.0) as a main crystal phase. There are also provided glass-ceramics having a high lithium ion conductivity which include in mol % ______________________________________ P.sub.2 O.sub.5 32-40% SiO.sub.2 7-14% TiO.sub.2 38-45% Li.sub.2 O 10-18% ______________________________________and containing Li.sub.1+X Ti.sub.2 Si.sub.X P.sub.3-X O .sub.12 (where X>0) as a main crystal phase.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a thin film of an electrical insulating material such as resin, a positive collector made of an electrically conductive thin film provided on one side of said electrically insulative thin film, a positive compound layer provided on said positive collector, a negative collector made of an electrically conductive thin film provided on the other side of said electrically insulative thin film, a negative compound layer provided on said negative collector, and an electrolyte film provided in contact with at least one of said positive compound layer and said negative compound layer.

Abstract: A solid-state secondary lithium battery with excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics, using a negative electrode active material which shows discontinuous change of potential caused by the lithium ion insertion and extraction reactions, wherein the amount of the lithium ion inserted, until discontinuous change of potential of the negative elctrode takes place, is equal to or smaller than the maximum amount of extraction of lithium ions within the range where lithium ions are inserted and extracted into or from the lithium transition metal oxide reversibly, and a battery assembly using these batteries.

Abstract: A class of organic redox shuttle additives is described, preferably comprising nitrogen-containing aromatics compounds, which can be used in a high temperature (85.degree. C. or higher) electrochemical storage cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte to provide overcharge protection to the cell. The organic redox additives or shuttles are characterized by a high diffusion coefficient of at least 2.1.times.10.sup.-8 cm.sup.2 /second and a high onset potential of 2.5 volts or higher. Examples of such organic redox shuttle additives include an alkali metal salt of 1,2,4-triazole, an alkali metal salt of imidazole, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene, and a dialkali metal salt of 3-4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte according to the present invention comprises a polymer (A), and a liquid electrolyte (B) composed of a lithium salt and an aprotic solvent, optionally and a ceramic filler (C). The polymer (A) is poly(acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), poly(acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate-oligooxyethylene ethylether methacrylate) or poly(acrylonitrilc-methyl methacrylate-styrene). The polymer (A) is poly(acrylonitrile methyl methacrylate) containing acrylonitrile of 10.about.90 mol %, preferably 26.about.46 mol %, poly(acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate-oligooxyethylene ethylether methacrylate) containing acrylonitrile of 20.about.80 mol %, methyl methacrylate of 20.about.80 mol % and oligooxyethylene ethylether methacrylate of 5.about.20 mol %, and poly(acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate-styrene) containing acrylonitrile of 10.about.80 mol %, methyl methacrylate of 10.about.60 mol % and styrene of 5.about.50 mol %.

Abstract: The power loss of lithium/lithium ion battery cells is significantly reduced, especially at low temperatures, when about 1% by weight of an additive is incorporated in the electrolyte layer of the cells. The usable additives are organic solvent soluble cyanoethylated polysaccharides and poly(vinyl alcohol). The power loss decrease results primarily from the decrease in the charge transfer resistance at the interface between the electrolyte and the cathode.

Abstract: A polymer solid electrolyte, a method for manufacturing the polymer solid electrolyte, and a lithium secondary cell adopting the polymer solid electrolyte are provided. The polymer solid electrolyte includes a polymer electrolyte medium, at least one vinylidene fluoride resin and/or at least one N,N-diethylacrylamide. The polymer solid electrolyte provides excellent ion conductivity and mechanical strength.

Abstract: A polymer solid electrolyte that is useable in a lithium secondary cell comprising a polymer matrix, a polymerization initiator, an inorganic salt and a solvent. The polymer matrix is composed of a copolymer of a monomer having an amide group at a side chain and a polymer with an oxyethylene repeating unit. The polymer solid electrolyte has excellent conductivity and can easily be processed due to its good mechanical property.

Abstract: New lithium ion conducting materials comprise phthalocyanine rings. These materials function as sites through which the lithium ion passes. In one aspect of the invention, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of a major amount of a lithium phthalocyanine and a minor amount of a polymer binder. In another aspect, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of aligned and spaced lithium phthalocyanine rings, wherein alignment and spacing of the phthalocyanine rings is achieved through the use of ladder type polymers, comb-like polymers, or crystalline polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ionically conductive polymeric gel electrolyte for batteries having high ionic conductivity and sufficiently high solid strength. The invention has an object to provide a solid battery which prevents internal short-circuiting even if no diaphragm is used and which has high reliability, by using the ionically conductive polymeric gel electrolyte. Disclosed is an ionically conductive polymeric gel electrolyte, containing at least a polymer matrix, a non-aqueous electrolytic solution and an electrolytic salt, wherein at least one kind of a halogen-substituted carbonic ester is contained as a solvent of the non-aqueous electrolytic solution. Also disclosed is a solid battery having the ionically conductive polymeric gel electrolyte as a constituent.

Abstract: A secondary, lithium-ion electrochemical cell having improved properties and a method for providing a secondary, lithium-ion electrochemical cell having the same. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for reducing and/or preventing the exfoliation of the graphitic carbonaceous electrode of a lithium-ion cell, wherein the exfoliation is caused by the intercalation of electrolyte solvent along with lithium ion into the graphitic carbonaceous electrode. This method is accomplished by adding one or more chelating polyamines to the electrolyte solution of the lithium-ion cell. The novel method and the improved lithium-ion cell are claimed herein.