A zinc-air battery cell assembly comprising: a layer of anode material; one or more layers of cathode material; a separator directly between and engaging both the layer of anode material and the layer of cathode material that acts as both an electronic insulator and an ion conductive path between the layer of anode material and the layer of cathode material; and a diffusion member directly engaging the layer of cathode material.

A metal battery, such as a lithium battery, includes an anode, an anode current collector in electrical contact with the anode, a cathode, a cathode current collector in electrical contact with the cathode, a separator disposed between the anode and cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and an anode protection structure. The anode protection structure includes an anode protection layer disposed between the anode and the separator. The anode protection layer includes a matrix and domains within the matrix. One of the matrix and domains contains a first material and the other of the matrix and domains contains a second material. The first material is less permeable by the electrolyte than the second material.

A metal battery, such as a lithium battery, includes an anode, an anode current collector in electrical contact with the anode, a cathode, a cathode current collector in electrical contact with the cathode, a separator disposed between the anode and cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and an anode protection structure. The anode protection structure includes an anode protection layer disposed between the anode and the separator. The anode protection layer includes a matrix and domains within the matrix. One of the matrix and domains contains a first material and the other of the matrix and domains contains a second material. The first material is less permeable by the electrolyte than the second material.

A thin separator for electrochemical elements, which has achieved chemical stability, while maintaining a good balance among short-circuit resistance, resistivity, electrolyte solution impregnability and electrolyte solution retainability of the separator. A separator for electrochemical elements, which is interposed between a pair of electrodes so as to separate the electrodes from each other, and which holds an electrolyte solution. This separator for electrochemical elements is composed of beaten cellulose fibers and thermoplastic synthetic fibers, and has a thickness of 5.0-30.0 μm and a density of 0.50-0.75 g/cm.sup.3; and the thickness X (μm) and the air resistance Y (second/100 ml) of this separator for electrochemical elements satisfy formula 1:
Y≥0.01X.sup.2−0.6X+11.5.

A thin separator for electrochemical elements, which has achieved chemical stability, while maintaining a good balance among short-circuit resistance, resistivity, electrolyte solution impregnability and electrolyte solution retainability of the separator. A separator for electrochemical elements, which is interposed between a pair of electrodes so as to separate the electrodes from each other, and which holds an electrolyte solution. This separator for electrochemical elements is composed of beaten cellulose fibers and thermoplastic synthetic fibers, and has a thickness of 5.0-30.0 μm and a density of 0.50-0.75 g/cm.sup.3; and the thickness X (μm) and the air resistance Y (second/100 ml) of this separator for electrochemical elements satisfy formula 1:
Y≥0.01X.sup.2−0.6X+11.5.

A crosslinked polyolefin separator having a ratio (A/B) of storage modulus G′ (A) to loss modulus G″ (B) of 2 or more, at a range of the frequency of the crosslinked polyolefin separator of 1 rad/s or less, in the frequency-loss/storage modulus curve. The crosslinked polyolefin separator is controlled to have a high ratio of storage modulus to loss modulus, and thus maintains its elasticity even at high temperature. Therefore, it is possible to provide a separator having improved safety.

A crosslinked polyolefin separator having a ratio (A/B) of storage modulus G′ (A) to loss modulus G″ (B) of 2 or more, at a range of the frequency of the crosslinked polyolefin separator of 1 rad/s or less, in the frequency-loss/storage modulus curve. The crosslinked polyolefin separator is controlled to have a high ratio of storage modulus to loss modulus, and thus maintains its elasticity even at high temperature. Therefore, it is possible to provide a separator having improved safety.

An electrode structure for a positive electrode of a metal-air battery is provided. The electrode structure for a positive electrode of a metal-air battery is formed of a compound of copper, phosphorus, and sulfur and it can comprise a membrane in which a plurality of fibrillated fibers form a network.

A flame-resistant polymer composite separator for use in a lithium battery, wherein the polymer composite separator comprises (a) a binder or matrix polymer; (b) 0.1% to 50% by weight of a lithium salt dispersed in the polymer; and (c) from 30% to 99% by weight of particles or fibers of an inorganic material or polymer fibers that are dispersed in or bonded by the polymer, wherein the polymer is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive comprising (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or crosslinking agent, and (iii) the lithium salt and wherein the polymer composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 μm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10.sup.−8 S/cm to 5×10.sup.−2 S/cm at room temperature.

A flame-resistant polymer composite separator for use in a lithium battery, wherein the polymer composite separator comprises (a) a binder or matrix polymer; (b) 0.1% to 50% by weight of a lithium salt dispersed in the polymer; and (c) from 30% to 99% by weight of particles or fibers of an inorganic material or polymer fibers that are dispersed in or bonded by the polymer, wherein the polymer is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive comprising (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or crosslinking agent, and (iii) the lithium salt and wherein the polymer composite separator has a thickness from 50 nm to 100 μm and a lithium ion conductivity from 10.sup.−8 S/cm to 5×10.sup.−2 S/cm at room temperature.