A sacrificial positive active material for a lithium-ion electrochemical element which is a compound of formula (Li.sub.2O).sub.x (MnO.sub.2).sub.y(MnO).sub.z(MO.sub.a).sub.t in which: x+y+z+t=1; 1−x−y≥0; 0.97≥x≥0.6; y≤0.45; x −0.17; y≥0; y+z>0; t≥0; 1≤a<3. M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, B, Al, Ti, Si, V, Mo, Zr and a mixture thereof.

This application describes a process for the preparation of carbon-coated particles, where the particles comprise an electrochemically active material. The process comprises the steps of emulsion polymerization, drying and thermally treating the polymer to obtain a nano-layer of carbon on the particles, where the carbon layer comprises fibers and nitrogen-containing polyaromatics have a graphene-like structure. The application also further relates to the particles produced by the method as well as to electrode materials, electrodes and electrochemical cells comprising the particles.

A lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode including sulfur, a negative electrode including a Li—Mg alloy, and an electrolyte including a furan-based solvent is provided. The lithium secondary battery has improved lifetime characteristics as growth of lithium dendrites and side reaction between polysulfides leached from the positive electrode and lithium at the negative electrode are suppressed due to interaction of the Li—Mg alloy comprised in the negative electrode and the furan-based solvent comprised in the electrolyte.

A negative electrode material that is used for a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery containing a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, includes: a first layer that contains lithium metal as a negative electrode active material; and a second layer that is arranged on at least one surface of the first layer. The second layer consists of a compound represented by a general formula M.sub.xA.sub.y (M is an element selected from a group consisting of Al, In, Mg, Ag, Si, and Sn, and A is an element selected from a group consisting of O, N, P, and F, and 0.3<x/y<3). The second layer has a thickness of 100 nm or less.

A negative electrode material that is used for a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery containing a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, includes: a first layer that contains lithium metal as a negative electrode active material; and a second layer that is arranged on at least one surface of the first layer. The second layer consists of a compound represented by a general formula M.sub.xA.sub.y (M is an element selected from a group consisting of Al, In, Mg, Ag, Si, and Sn, and A is an element selected from a group consisting of O, N, P, and F, and 0.3<x/y<3). The second layer has a thickness of 100 nm or less.

A positive electrode slurry composition of the present application may comprise a positive electrode active material, a lithium-supplementing agent and a binder, wherein the positive electrode active material may include a lithium-containing phosphate represented by formula (I),

LiFe.sub.1-b1-c1Mn.sub.b1M.sup.1.sub.c1PO.sub.4   formula (I) in which 0≤b1≤1, 0≤c1≤0.1, and M.sup.1 is selected from at least one of transition metal elements and non-transition metal elements in addition to Fe and Mn; the lithium-supplementing agent may be selected from one or more of lithium metal oxides of Li.sub.a1M.sup.2O.sub.0.5(2+a1), Li.sub.2M.sup.3O.sub.3, Li.sub.2M.sup.4O.sub.4, Li.sub.3M.sup.5O.sub.4, Li.sub.5M.sup.6O.sub.4, and Li.sub.5M.sup.7O.sub.6, and the binder may be represented by formula (II):

##STR00001## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently H or F, x, y, and z are all positive integers, and 0.52≤(4x+3y+2z)/(4x+4y+4z)≤0.7.

Single, internally adjustable modular battery systems are provided, for handling power delivery from and to various power systems such as electric vehicles, photovoltaic systems, solar systems, grid-scale battery energy storage systems, home energy storage systems and power walls. Batteries comprise a main fast-charging lithium ion battery (FC), configured to deliver power to the electric vehicle, a supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging lithium ion battery (SCeFC), configured to receive power and deliver power to the FC and/or to the EV and to operate at high rates within a limited operation range of state of charge (SoC), respective module management systems, and a control unit. Both the FC and the SCeFC have anodes based on the same anode active material and the control unit is configured to manage the FC and the SCeFC and manage power delivery to and from the power system(s), to optimize the operation of the FC.

In an aspect, provided is an alkaline rechargeable battery comprising: i) a battery container sealed against the release of gas up to at least a threshold gas pressure, ii) a volume of an aqueous alkaline electrolyte at least partially filling the container to an electrolyte level; iii) a positive electrode containing positive active material and at least partially submerged in the electrolyte; iv) an iron negative electrode at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, the iron negative electrode comprising iron active material; v) a separator at least partially submerged in the electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; vi) an auxiliary oxygen gas recombination electrode electrically connected to the iron negative electrode by a first electronic component, ionically connected to the electrolyte by a first ionic pathway, and exposed to a gas headspace above the electrolyte level by a first gas pathway.

Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries.

A use, in an electrolyte for a battery, of an additive which includes at least one organocatalyst. Also, a method of preventing the contact between the anode and residual water in a battery and/or reducing the level of gas in a battery. Moreover, an electrolyte for a battery, including an additive which includes at least one organocatalyst. Moreover, a battery including an electrolyte which includes an additive which comprises at least one organocatalyst.