A topological quantum framework includes a plurality of one-dimensional nanostructures disposed in different directions and connected to each other, wherein a one-dimensional nanostructure of the plurality of one-dimensional nanostructures includes a first composition including a metal capable of incorporating and deincorporating lithium, and wherein the topological quantum framework is porous.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a silicon-based negative electrode, a method for manufacturing a lithium-ion battery from a preformed silicon-based negative electrode, and a lithium-ion battery thus obtained.

Variations of the invention provide an improved aluminum battery consisting of an aluminum anode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a cathode comprising a metal oxide, a metal fluoride, a metal sulfide, or sulfur. The cathode can be fully reduced upon battery discharge via a multiple-electron reduction reaction. In some embodiments, the cathode materials are contained within the pore volume of a porous conductive carbon scaffold. Batteries provided by the invention have high active material specific energy densities and good cycling stabilities at a variety of operating temperatures.

A method for making an electrode involves forming a molten salt, attaching a negative terminal of a direct current power source to a silicon blank and a positive terminal of the direct current power source to a sacrificial electrode or a container for the molten salt. The method further involves submerging the silicon blank in the molten salt such that an electrolytic reaction drives alkali metal ions into the lattice of the silicon blank.

An energy storage device, such as a silver oxide battery, can include a silver-containing cathode and an electrolyte having an ionic liquid. An anion of the ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of: methanesulfonate, methylsulfate, acetate, and fluoroacetate. A cation of the ionic liquid can be selected from the group consisting of: imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, piperidinium, pyrrolidinium, sulfonium, and phosphonium. The energy storage device may include a printed or non-printed separator. The printed separator can include a gel including dissolved cellulose powder and the electrolyte. The non-printed separator can include a gel including at least partially dissolved regenerate cellulose and the electrolyte. An energy storage device fabrication process can include applying a plasma treatment to a surface of each of a cathode, anode, separator, and current collectors. The plasma treatment process can improve wettability, adhesion, electron and/or ionic transport across the treated surface.

A method of preparing a secondary battery which includes pre-lithiating an electrode assembly which includes an electrode structure including a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of separators, and a metal substrate. The plurality of electrodes and the plurality of separators are alternatingly stacked. The metal substrate is present on an outermost surface of the electrode structure in a direction in which the electrode and the separator are stacked. Each positive electrode and negative electrode are spaced apart from each other with one separator of the plurality of separators disposed therebetween. The pre-lithiating includes applying a first current by electrically connecting one of the plurality of positive electrodes and one of the plurality of negative electrodes, and applying a second current by electrically connecting the metal substrate and one of the plurality of positive electrodes, after applying the first current.

Disclosed is a method for activating a surface of metals, such as self-passivated metals, and of metal-oxide dissolution, effected using a fluoroanion-containing composition. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell utilizing an aluminum-containing anode material and a fluoroanion-containing electrolyte, characterized by high efficiency, low corrosion, and optionally mechanical or electrochemical rechargeability. Also disclosed is a process for fusing (welding, soldering etc.) a self-passivated metal at relatively low temperature and ambient atmosphere, and a method for electrodepositing a metal on a self-passivated metal using metal-oxide source.

This disclosure relates to a battery and a method for its manufacture. An example method includes forming a substrate having a first surface, the first surface having a plurality of pores. The pores may be configured to house lithium metal. The method includes incorporating lithium metal into at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The lithium metal may be incorporated into the pores via a pre-lithiation process, which may include electroplating of lithium metal into the porous substrate. The method also includes forming an electrolyte disposed between the first surface of the substrate and a cathode. The electrolyte is configured to reversibly transport lithium ions via diffusion between the substrate and the cathode. The method also includes forming the cathode. Some embodiments may provide the substrate to jointly serve as an anode and electrically-conductive current collector.

A self-supported porous 3D flexible host anode for lithium metal secondary batteries having a primary coating >5 atomic wt % and in addition to <5 atomic wt % of at least two additional lithiophilic elements, leading to synergistic plating and stripping effect of the alkali ions, wherein all the coating elements have the capability of forming intermetallic alloys with lithium and/or between themselves within the potential window range of 1.5 V and 0.5 V Vs Li/Li.sup.+, having a porosity of at least 70%, and a thickness between 10 m and 100 m, comprising a non-woven, woven or ordered arrangement of constituent fibres with a diameter ranging between 200 nm and 40 m.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of new materials, and in particular, to a method for preparing a composite current collector. A specific amount of copper-containing photosensitive material and a high-molecular polymer are utilized together as materials of the surface layer of the composite current collector substrate. The composite current collector substrate is prepared through co-extrusion with a material of a core layer and materials of the surface layer. Under ultraviolet irradiation, a portion of divalent copper ions is reduced to elemental copper, forming a nanoscale copper layer. Simultaneously, another portion of the copper-containing photosensitive material is activated to create seed crystals with catalytic activity for chemical copper plating. The synergy between the nanoscale copper layer and seed crystals meets square resistance requirements for chemical plating or electroplating. This effectively replaces physical vapor deposition step in traditional processes, thereby reducing energy consumption and production costs while improving production efficiency. Additionally, a process of the ultraviolet irradiation treatment does not cause macroscopic damage to the high-molecular polymer, preserving its physical strength and performance and leading to enhanced product yield.