Abstract: A surface-enabled, metal ion-exchanging battery device comprising a cathode, an anode, a porous separator, and a metal ion-containing electrolyte, wherein the metal ion is selected from (A) non-Li alkali metals; (B) alkaline-earth metals; (C) transition metals; (D) other metals such as aluminum (Al); or (E) a combination thereof; and wherein at least one of the electrodes contains therein a metal ion source prior to the first charge or discharge cycle of the device and at least the cathode comprises a functional material or nano-structured material having a metal ion-capturing functional group or metal ion-storing surface in direct contact with said electrolyte, and wherein the operation of the battery device does not involve the introduction of oxygen from outside the device and does not involve the formation of a metal oxide, metal sulfide, metal selenide, metal telluride, metal hydroxide, or metal-halogen compound.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte for a cell having an anode comprising magnesium or magnesium alloy. The cell's cathode may desirably include iron disulfide (FeS2) as cathode active material. The improved electrolyte comprises a magnesium salt, preferably magnesium perchlorate dissolved in an organic solvent which preferably includes acetonitrile or mixture of tetrahydrofuran and propylene carbonate. The electrolyte includes an additive to retard the buildup of deleterious passivation coating on the magnesium anode surface, thereby enhancing cell performance. Such additive may preferably include 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), or aluminum chloride (AlCl3).

Abstract: An organic electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt; an organic solvent including a high permittivity solvent and a low boiling solvent; and a vinyl-based compound represented by Formula 1 below, wherein m and n are each independently integers of 1 to 10; X1, X2, and X3 each independently represent O, S, or NR9; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are represented in the detailed description. The organic electrolyte solution of the present invention and a lithium battery using the same suppress degradation of an electrolyte, providing improved cycle properties and life span thereof.

Abstract: A lithium-free, anion based charge transport electrochemical system that uses fluoride ion transporting electrolytes, including ionic liquids, with and without various additives to improve performance, is described. The fluoride ion transporting electrolyte can be wholly or partly an ionic liquid that is typically liquid at temperatures less than 200 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, electrolytes that remain liquid at less than 100 degrees Celsius are useful.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to prevent deterioration and expanding of anode active material and to improve charge-discharge cycle characteristics in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an anode of which current collector has thereon a thin layer of an anode active material containing a metal. To solve this problem, in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery wherein a thin layer of anode active material containing a metal which absorbs and discharges lithium is formed on a current collector and the thin layer of the anode active material is divided into columns by a gap formed along the thickness thereof, a compound represented by the following formula is contained in the non-aqueous electrolyte. A-N?C?O In the above formula, A represents an element or a group other than hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte solution and a lithium ion secondary battery which maintain for a long period high battery characteristics represented by the discharge capacity retention rate after the charge/discharge cycle, and simultaneously achieve also the high safety represented by the flame retardation. The present invention provides an electrolyte solution containing a nonaqueous solvent, an electrolyte, a specific compound having a perfluoroalkyl group in the molecule, and an additive having a fluorine atom and/or a phosphorus atom in the molecule.

Abstract: In a molten salt battery 1, a positive electrode 2 including an active material film 22 arranged on an Al collector 21, a separator 3 formed of a glass cloth impregnated with a molten salt serving as an electrolyte, and a negative electrode 4 including an active material film 43 and a Zn film 42 arranged on an Al collector 41 are accommodated in an Al case 5. The active material film 43 contains an active material composed of a Sn—Na alloy. The active material film 22 and the active material film 43 occlude and emit Na ions of the molten salt. Thereby, provided are a negative electrode material for a battery, the negative electrode material having higher hardness on a surface side (active material side) than a Na negative electrode during the operation of the battery, suppressing the formation of Na dendrites.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte separator system comprising an ionic liquid, a conductive salt and a ceramic separator, and the use of the electrolyte separator system according to the invention in electrochemical energy storage systems, in particular of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: An electrochemical device, having an anode containing magnesium; a cathode stable to a voltage of at least 3.2 V relative to a magnesium reference; and an electrolyte containing a solvent and a LiCl complex of a magnesium halide salt of a sterically hindered secondary amine is provided. In a preferred embodiment the electrolyte contains tetrahydrofuran and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-magnesium chloride-lithium chloride complex.

Abstract: An electrode active material mainly includes an organic compound having, in a structural unit thereof, a conjugated diamine structure represented by the general formula (I), and an electrolyte includes a carbonate ester compound represented by the general formula (II). In the formulae, R1 to R4 represent substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, or the like, whereas X1 to X4 represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. A secondary battery is achieved which has a high energy density and thus produces a high output, and has favorable cycle characteristics with a small capacity degradation even in the case of repeating charge and discharge.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode including a form of lithium, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode and configured to use a form of oxygen and carbon dioxide as reagents in a reversible electrochemical reaction wherein Li2CO3 is formed and consumed at the positive electrode, a separator positioned between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and an electrolyte including a salt.

Abstract: An ion transporting solvent for use with batteries can be improved by simultaneously shortening a phosphazene compound's pendent groups, eliminating most or all of the distal ion carriers, and randomizing the solvent molecules so as to intentionally disrupt symmetry to the maximum degree possible. The combination of these strategies dramatically improves battery performance to the point where the performance recorded is comparable to batteries using conventional organic solvents.

Abstract: Li-based anodes for use in an electric current producing cells having long life time and high capacity are provided. In certain embodiments, the Li-based anode comprises at least one anode active Li-containing compound and a composition comprising at least one polymer, at least one ionic liquid, and optionally at least one lithium salt. The composition may be located between the at least one Li-containing compound and the catholyte used in the electric current producing cell. In some embodiments, the at least one polymer may be incompatible with the catholyte. This configuration of components may lead to separation between the lithium active material of the anode and the catholyte. Processes for preparing the Li-based anode and to electric current producing cells comprising such an anode are also provided.

Abstract: Spiro ammonium salts as an additive for electrolytes in electric current producing cells, in particular electric current producing cells comprising a Li-based anode, are provided. In some embodiments, the electric current producing cell comprises a cathode, a Li-based anode, and at least one electrolyte wherein the electrolyte contains at least one spiro ammonium salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing new additives and a lithium secondary battery including the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt, an electrolyte compound, a first additive compound with an oxidation initiation potential of more than 4.2 V, and a second additive compound with an oxidation initiation potential of more than 4.2 V, which is higher in oxidation initiation potential than the first additive, and deposits oxidative products or form a polymer film, in oxidation, as well as a lithium secondary battery including the same. The present invention can provide a lithium secondary battery excellent in both the battery performance and the battery safety in overcharge by the combined use of the first additive and the second battery as additives to the nonaqueous electrolyte solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphate-based acrylate crosslinking agent for polymer electrolyte and a polymer electrolyte composition comprising the phosphate-based acrylate crosslinking agent, and in particular to a phosphate-based acrylate crosslinking agent where a phosphate-based compound is introduced with a polyalkylene oxide group and an acrylate group and a polymer electrolyte composition comprising the phosphate-based acrylate crosslinking agent. The polymer electrolyte composition can be applied to electrolyte thin film and polymer electrolyte of small and large capacity lithium-polymer secondary battery due to its superior ionic conductivity and electrochemical and thermal stability, where the physical properties of electrolyte composition may be controlled by means of the length of polyalkylene oxide of the crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode structure for an energy storage apparatus. The electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a current collector; and an active material layer formed in the current collector, wherein the active material layer includes: an active material; and a conductive material having a relatively higher content than that of the active material as being away from the current collector.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode containing an active material, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, the negative electrode including a current collector and a negative electrode active material supported by the current collector, the negative electrode active material having a Li insertion potential not lower than 0.2V (vs. Li/Li+) and an average primary particle diameter not larger than 1 ?m, and a specific surface area of the negative electrode, excluding a weight of the current collector, as determined by the BET method falls within a range of 3 to 50 m2/g.

Abstract: A non-aqueous liquid electrolyte to be used for a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte secondary battery containing a anode electrode and a cathode electrode, capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, and the non-aqueous liquid electrolyte. In the non-aqueous liquid electrode, the anode electrode contains an anode electrode active material having at least one kind of atom selected from the group consisting of Si atom, Sn atom and Pb atom. The non-aqueous liquid electrolyte also contains a carbonate having at least either an unsaturated bond or a halogen atom, and also contains a compound represented by formula (III-1) as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a lithium salt, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and an additive including a triazine-based compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and fluoroethyl carbonate, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the electrolyte. where R1, R2, and R3 are the same as described in the detailed description.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell can be charged at a high voltage of 4.3V or more and has excellent cycle characteristics and excellent high-temperature storage characteristics. The cell includes positive and negative electrodes capable of inserting and extracting lithium, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte contains a non-aqueous solvent, 1,3-dioxane and a dinitrile compound additives, and an electrolyte salt. The non-aqueous solvent contains ethylene carbonate in the range of 25% to 40% by volume under the conditions of 25° C. and 1 atm.

Abstract: Provided are an electrolyte which may prevent the degradation of the battery performance by including a functional group which can react with a side reaction site which is responsible for decomposition of negative electrode material components and a functional group which can react with moisture which is responsible for decomposition of positive electrode material components in an electrolyte of the battery to ensure the stability of the battery at high temperatures, and a secondary battery manufactured by adding the same. The present invention may employ a compound including a functional group which can react with a side reaction site of a negative electrode material and a functional group which can react with moisture to maximize the improvement of the storage performance of a secondary battery at high temperatures.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolytic solution of an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, containing a hydantoin compound represented by the following general formula (I) in an amount of from 0.01 to 5% by mass of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution, and excellent in battery characteristics such as high-temperature storage property and cycle property. (In the formula, R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group or an ethyl group; R3 and R4 each represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of improving cycle characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode 21, an anode 22, and an electrolytic solution. A separator 23 provided between the cathode 21 and the anode 22 is impregnated with the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains a solvent and an electrolyte salt. The solvent contains a cyclic compound having a disulfonic acid anhydride group (—S(?O)2—O—S(?O)2—) and succinonitrile. Compared to a case that the solvent does not contain both the cyclic compound having the disulfonic acid anhydride group and succinonitrile or a case that that the solvent contains at least one thereof, chemical stability of the electrolytic solution is improved. Thus, even if charge and discharge are repeated, electrolytic solution decomposition is inhibited.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte solution for a lithium secondary battery includes a non-aqueous solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent. The lithium salt includes LiN(CF3SO2)2. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution further includes a sulfate-based compound and vinylene carbonate. A lithium secondary battery having the above non-aqueous electrolyte solution may keep overall high temperature performance in a high level and also improve low temperature power characteristics.

Abstract: One object is to provide a power storage device including an electrolyte using a room-temperature ionic liquid which includes a univalent anion and a cyclic quaternary ammonium cation having excellent reduction resistance. Another object is to provide a high-performance power storage device. A room-temperature ionic liquid which includes a cyclic quaternary ammonium cation represented by a general formula (G1) below is used for an electrolyte of a power storage device. In the general formula (G1), one or two of R1 to R5 are any of an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a methoxy group, a methoxymethyl group, and a methoxyethyl group. The other three or four of R1 to R5 are hydrogen atoms. A? is a univalent imide anion, a univalent methide anion, a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid anion, tetrafluoroborate (BF4?), or hexafluorophosphate (PF6?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pentacyclic anion salt and to the use thereof in electrolyte compositions. The compound comprises an inorganic, organic or organometallic cation M of valency m (1?m?3) and m anions corresponding to the formula (I) in which Rf is a —CFZ?Z? group in which Z? is F or a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and Z? is an H, F or Cl group, an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated alkoxy group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated oxaalkoxy group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Z? being other than F when Z? is F. An electrolyte composition comprises said salt in solution in a liquid solvent or a polymer solvent.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte solution is provided that realizes a large capacity, exhibits high storage characteristics and cycle characteristics, and is capable of inhibiting gas generation. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a lithium salt and a non-aqueous solvent, and further comprises: a cyclic carbonate compound having an unsaturated bond in a concentration of 0.01 weight % or higher and 8 weight % or lower; and a compound expressed by general formula (Ia) in a concentration of 0.01 weight % or higher and 5 weight % or lower. (in the formula (Ia), R11 and R12 represent, independently of each other, an organic group that is composed of one or more carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms and may optionally contain one or more oxygen atoms but excludes unsaturated bonds, provided that at least either R11 or R12 has an ether linkage. The total number of carbon atoms of R11 and R12 is between 3 and 18, and the total number of oxygen atoms contained in R11 and R12 is between 1 and 6.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid battery using an electrochemically stable electrolyte composition and electrodes suitable for use in the electrolyte composition. The hybrid battery is non-toxic and highly stable, and has improved high-current charge/discharge characteristics. The hybrid battery comprises an electrode unit consisting of an anode and a cathode, a separator for electrically separating the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte filled in a space between the anode and the cathode so as to form an electric double layer on surfaces of the anode and cathode when a voltage is applied wherein the electrolyte contains a mixture of a lithium salt, an ammonium salt and a pyrrolidinium salt as solutes in a carbonate-based solvent so that the solute mixture has a concentration of 1.0-2.5 mol/L.

Abstract: The described invention relates to primary and secondary electrochemical energy storage systems, particularly to such systems as battery cells, which use materials that take up and release ions as a means of storing and supplying electrical energy, and methods of fabrication thereof.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery, comprising: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution, the nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing as a flame retardant a compound of the general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2, which are the same or different, each represents a group that is selected from a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower cycloalkyl or aryl group, and that may have a substituent, or R1 and R2 taken together are a methylene group that may have a substituent, or R1 and R2 taken together form a ring structure containing a nitrogen atom to which R1 and R2 are attached, the ring structure being a five-membered or six-membered hydrocarbon ring that may have one or two oxo groups, or a five-membered or six-membered heterocycle that may further contain a nitrogen atom; n is 0 or 1; when n is 0, R3 is a group that is selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, low

Abstract: A battery electrolyte solution contains from 0.01 to 80% by weight of an aromatic phosphorus compound. The aromatic phosphorus compound provides increased thermal stability for the electrolyte, helping to reduce thermal degradation, thermal runaway reactions and the possibility of burning. The aromatic phosphorus compound has little adverse impact on the electrical properties of the battery, and in some cases actually improves battery performance.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of improving battery characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode 21 containing a cathode active material capable of inserting and extracting an electrode reactant, an anode 22 containing an anode active material capable of inserting and extracting the electrode reactant, and an electrolyte containing a solvent and an electrolyte salt. At least one of the cathode 21, the anode 22, and the electrolyte contains a radical scavenger compound. The radical scavenger compound is a compound in which a group having a radical scavenger function exists as a matrix, to which one or more carboxylic metal bases or one or more sulfonic metal bases are introduced. Chemical stability of the cathode 21, the anode 22, or the electrolyte containing the radical scavenger compound is improved. Thus, at the time of charge and discharge, decomposition reaction of the electrolytic solution is easily inhibited.

Abstract: A positive electrode material is provided which is a blended combination of lithium nickel cobalt oxide (and aluminum substituted compounds thereof) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide. Also provided Is a non-aqueous electrolyte lithium secondary battery having high specific capacity and good thermal stability characteristics.

Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a battery or power source, provides improved performance under stringent or extreme conditions. Such an electrochemical device for use in high temperature conditions may include at least a cathode, a lithium-based anode, a separator, and an ionic liquid electrolyte. This device also may include a current collector and housing that are electrochemically inert with respect to other components of the device. This electrochemical device may operate at temperatures ranging from 0 to 180, 200, 220, 240, and 260° C.

Abstract: To provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a small increase in internal resistance and less gas generation during high-temperature charged storage, and with a high residual capacity, when using a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a nitrile group-containing compound. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode plate containing positive electrode active material, a negative electrode plate containing negative electrode active material, a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a nitrile group-containing compound, and a separator provided between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and is also provided with a layer of inorganic particles between the positive electrode plate and the separator or between the negative electrode plate and the separator. It is preferable that the layer of inorganic particles be formed on a surface of the positive electrode plate.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery capable of obtaining superior cycle characteristics, superior storage characteristics, and superior load characteristics is provided. The lithium secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains a nonaqueous solvent, a lithium ion, at least one of nitrogen-containing organic anion having a Lewis acidic ligand, and at least one of inorganic anion having fluorine and an element of Group 13 to Group 15 in the long period periodic table as an element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium-ion electrochemical cell comprising an ionic liquid electrolyte solution and a positive electrode having a carbon sheet current collector.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide an electrolyte solution which can dramatically suppress the time degradation in performance of an electrochemical device, especially an electrochemical capacitor. The present invention relates to an electrolyte solution for electrochemical device which comprises an imidazolium salt (A) represented by the general formula (1) as a main component, wherein the content of the imidazolium salt (B) represented by the general formula (2) is not more than 15% by weight to the total weight of the imidazolium salt (A) and imidazolium salt (B); (in the formula, R1, R2 and R3 may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 and R5 may be the same or different and each represents an hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and X? represents a counter anion) (in the formula, R1, R3, R4, R5 and X? are the same as the definition for the general formula (1)).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode, wherein a substrate comprises a porous carbon material and an electroconductive polymer layer formed by an electrolytic polymerization method is provided substantially on the substrate; the electrode, wherein the porous carbon material comprises at least one porous carbon material selected from the group consisting of a carbon paper, a carbon fiber, a porous carbon sheet and an activated carbon sheet; and an actuator having the above electrode as a counter electrode.

Abstract: An organic electrolyte solution for use in a redox flow battery and the redox flow battery including the organic electrolyte solution has a high energy density because re-precipitation is prevented in the organic electrolyte solution or eduction is prevented in an electrode during reduction of a metal ion used as an electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed are an additive for improving charge/discharge characteristics of a lithium-ion cell, a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing the additive, and a lithium-ion cell using the additive and/or the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The additive serves as a solvent for a fluorine resin, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride), which is incorporated as an adhesive in a positive electrode containing a lithium-transition metal oxide capable of absorbing and releasing lithium and a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of absorbing and releasing lithium. The additive comprises three compounds selected, respectively, from a 2-pyrrolidinone compound group, a cyclic alkyl compound group, and a cyclic pentanone compound group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-aqueous electrolyte including an electrolyte salt and an electrolyte solvent, the non-aqueous electrolyte further including a compound containing both a carboxy group and a (meth)acrylic group, and a secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte. The use of the compound containing both the carboxy group and the (meth)acrylic group as a component for an electrolyte significantly reduces the increase of battery thickness at high temperature storage.

Abstract: A new cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material mixed with a binder and a conductive diluent in at least two differing formulations. Each of the formulations exists as a distinct cathode layer. After each layer is pressed or sheeted individually, a first one of the layers is contacted to a current collector. The other layer is then contacted to the opposite side of the layer contacting the current collector. Therefore, by using electrodes comprised of layers, where each layer is optimized for a desired characteristic (i.e. high capacity, high power, high stability), the resulting battery will display improved function over a wide range of applications. Such an exemplary cathode is comprised of: SVO (100?x %)/SVO (100?y %)/current collector/SVO (100?y %)/SVO (100?x %), wherein x and y are different and represent percentages of non-active materials.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells including components and configurations for electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable lithium batteries, are provided. The electrochemical cells described herein may include a combination of components arranged in certain configurations that work together to increase performance of the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, such combinations of components and configurations described herein may minimize defects, inefficiencies, or other drawbacks that might otherwise exist inherently in prior electrochemical cells, or that might exist inherently in prior electrochemical cells using the same or similar materials as those described herein, but arranged differently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte for a lithium ion rechargeable battery and a lithium ion rechargeable battery including the same. The electrolyte includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and triphenyl phosphate. A lithium ion rechargeable battery including the electrolyte has improved overcharge stability and shows excellent chemical properties including reducing swelling, high-temperature storage stability, and cycle life characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode including a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, an anode including a carbon-based material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte with addition of a compound of formula (1). Incorporation of the compound (1) into the electrolyte significantly improves the high-temperature performance and cycle life characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: Provided is an anode for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode active layer has a first layer comprising lithium metal and a multi-layer structure comprising single ion conducting layers and polymer layers in contact with the first layer comprising lithium metal or in contact with an intermediate protective layer, such as a temporary protective metal layer, on the surface of the lithium-containing first layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an anode active layer formed by the in-situ deposition of lithium vapor and a reactive gas. The anodes of the current invention are particularly useful in electrochemical cells comprising sulfur-containing cathode active materials, such as elemental sulfur.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte includes: at least one ionically conducting salt, a non-aqueous, anhydrous solvent for the ionically conductive salt, said solvent being selected to achieve a lithium transference number between 0.45 and 1.0, at least one oxide in a particulate form, said oxide being selected such that it is not soluble in said solvent and such that it is water-free.