An object is to provide an electrode active material that can provide an alkali metal battery having a longer charge/discharge life and a higher capacity. The problem is solved by means of an electrode active material for an alkali metal battery, represented by formula: A.sub.a1MS.sub.a2X.sub.a3 wherein A is selected from Li and Na; M is selected from V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Cr, Mo, and W which are group 4 to 6 elements; X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CO.sub.3, SO.sub.4, NO.sub.3, BH.sub.4, BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, ClO.sub.4, CF.sub.3SO.sub.3, (CF.sub.3SO.sub.2).sub.2N, (C.sub.2F.sub.5SO.sub.2).sub.2N, (FSO.sub.2).sub.2N, and [B(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sub.2]; a1 is 1 to 9; a2 is 2 to 6; when a3 is 3 and a3 is 0, a2 is not 4; and when M does not include V, a3>0.

This positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery contains a lithium-transition metal composite compound. The lithium-transition metal composite compound is represented by general formula Li.sub.xMn.sub.yNi.sub.zMe.sub.αO.sub.aF.sub.b (in the formula, 1≤x≤1.2, 0.4≤y≤0.8; 0≤z≤0.4, x+y+z=2, 0<α<0.05, 1.8≤a≤2, and 1.8≤a±b≤2.2 are satisfied, and Me represents at least two kinds of elements selected from metal elements other than Li, Mn, and Ni) and Me includes at least one kind of element having an ion radius of 0.6 Å or more.

A lithium-sulfur battery includes a casing having a length and a width, the casing including at least an anode and a cathode wound into a jelly roll oriented parallel to the length of the casing, an electrolyte disposed in the lithium-sulfur battery, a negative terminal extending along the length of the casing, and a positive terminal extending along the length of the casing, the positive terminal and the negative terminal parallel to one another.

A lithium-sulfur battery includes a casing, a top lid circumferentially welded to the casing, a negative contact surface positioned opposite the top lid, a positive terminal disposed within the casing, welded to the top lid, and configured as a mandrel, a glass insulator circumferentially wound around the mandrel, and a jelly roll including at least an anode and a cathode wound around the mandrel. The jelly roll may also include a top surface not in contact with the top lid, a bottom surface partially in contact with the negative contact surface, and partially in contact with a plurality of non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles disposed between the bottom surface of the jelly roll and the negative contact surface. At least some of the non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles may provide one or more electrically-conductive pathways between the bottom surface and the negative contact surface.

A lithium-sulfur battery includes a casing, a top lid circumferentially welded to the casing, a negative contact surface positioned opposite the top lid, a positive terminal disposed within the casing, welded to the top lid, and configured as a mandrel, a glass insulator circumferentially wound around the mandrel, and a jelly roll including at least an anode and a cathode wound around the mandrel. The jelly roll may also include a top surface not in contact with the top lid, a bottom surface partially in contact with the negative contact surface, and partially in contact with a plurality of non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles disposed between the bottom surface of the jelly roll and the negative contact surface. At least some of the non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles may provide one or more electrically-conductive pathways between the bottom surface and the negative contact surface.

An electrolyte for a lithium-secondary battery including a solvent, a lithium salt and an additive, wherein the additive includes a diamine-based compound, and a lithium-secondary battery including the same.

A process of synthesizing a solid state lithium ion conductor includes mechanically milling at least two precursors so as to form crystalline Li.sub.6MgBr.sub.8. For instance, the mechanical milling can be carried out using a planetary mill. Moreover, in a practical application, the precursors include LiBr and MgBr.sub.2.

A sulfur cathode generated at least in part by in situ electrochemical pulverization of a metallic sulfide compound is provided. The in situ generated sulfur cathode suppresses the unfavorable process of polysulfide shuttling to provide enhanced sulfur cathode performance and is envisioned for use in Li—S, Na—S, K—S, Ca—S, Mg—S or Al—S batteries used to support rechargeable electronic devices and electric vehicles.

The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6S.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

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.