This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.

This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.

A lithium ion conducting protective film produced using a layer-by-layer assembly process. The lithium ion conducting protective film is assembled on a substrate by a sequential exposure of the substrate to a first poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) layer including a cross-linking silane component on the first side of the substrate, a graphene oxide (GO) layer on the first PEO layer, a second poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) layer including a cross-linking silane component on the GO layer and a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) layer on the second PEO layer. The film functions as a lithium ion conducting protective film that isolates the lithium anode from the positive electrochemistry of the cathode in a lithium-air battery, thereby preventing undesirable lithium dendrite growth.

A lithium ion conducting protective film produced using a layer-by-layer assembly process. The lithium ion conducting protective film is assembled on a substrate by a sequential exposure of the substrate to a first poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) layer including a cross-linking silane component on the first side of the substrate, a graphene oxide (GO) layer on the first PEO layer, a second poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) layer including a cross-linking silane component on the GO layer and a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) layer on the second PEO layer. The film functions as a lithium ion conducting protective film that isolates the lithium anode from the positive electrochemistry of the cathode in a lithium-air battery, thereby preventing undesirable lithium dendrite growth.

Methods for forming anode structures are provided and include transferring a flexible substrate a first deposition chamber arranged downstream from a first spool chamber, the first deposition chamber containing a first coating drum capable of guiding the flexible substrate past a first plurality of deposition units, and guiding the flexible substrate past the first plurality of deposition units while depositing a lithium metal film on the flexible substrate via the first plurality of deposition units. The method also includes transferring the flexible substrate from the first deposition chamber to a second deposition chamber, the second deposition chamber containing a second coating drum capable of guiding the flexible substrate past a second deposition unit containing a crucible capable of depositing ceramic on the lithium metal film, and guiding the flexible substrate past the crucible while depositing a ceramic protective film on the lithium metal film via the evaporation crucible.

Methods for forming anode structures are provided and include transferring a flexible substrate a first deposition chamber arranged downstream from a first spool chamber, the first deposition chamber containing a first coating drum capable of guiding the flexible substrate past a first plurality of deposition units, and guiding the flexible substrate past the first plurality of deposition units while depositing a lithium metal film on the flexible substrate via the first plurality of deposition units. The method also includes transferring the flexible substrate from the first deposition chamber to a second deposition chamber, the second deposition chamber containing a second coating drum capable of guiding the flexible substrate past a second deposition unit containing a crucible capable of depositing ceramic on the lithium metal film, and guiding the flexible substrate past the crucible while depositing a ceramic protective film on the lithium metal film via the evaporation crucible.

A composite for use the manufacture of an electrode, the composition comprising a spontaneously formed segregated network of nanosheets of conducting materials, or a combination thereof, and a particulate active material, in which no additional polymeric binder or conductive-additive are required.

A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a negative electrode current collector, and a negative electrode mixture layer supported on the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode mixture layer includes a negative electrode active material capable of electrochemically absorbing and releasing lithium ions, a binder, and a conductive agent. The negative electrode active material includes flaky silicon particles, and the binder includes a silicate.

A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a negative electrode current collector, and a negative electrode mixture layer supported on the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode mixture layer includes a negative electrode active material capable of electrochemically absorbing and releasing lithium ions, a binder, and a conductive agent. The negative electrode active material includes flaky silicon particles, and the binder includes a silicate.

An all-solid secondary battery, including: a cathode; an anode; and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode comprises an anode current collector; a first anode active material layer in contact with the anode current collector and comprising a first metal; a second anode active material layer disposed between the first anode active material layer and the solid electrolyte layer and comprising a carbon-containing active material; and a contact layer between the second anode active material layer and the solid electrolyte layer, and disposed such that the contact layer prevents contact between the second anode active material layer and the solid electrolyte layer, wherein the contact layer comprises a second metal, and has a thickness less than a thickness of the first anode active material layer.