A rechargeable battery cell includes an electrode and an ion exchange material arranged to define an interpenetrating interface with at least a portion of the electrode. Providing an interpenetration interface in intimate contact can include completely or partially embedding the electrode in the ion exchange material, or alternatively, surrounding the electrode or discrete portions of the electrode with a thin film of ion exchange material. In one embodiment, electrodes can be particles fully or partially embedded, coated with, or partially contacting ion exchange material.

A method for preparing a dry electrode is disclosed. The method comprises mixing of nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets in powder form to obtain a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite is compressed to obtain a compacted material, which is rolled to obtain a three dimensional graphene architecture framework (3D-GAF) active film. The 3D-GAF active film is laminated on a current collector to obtain a three dimensional graphene architecture framework dry electrode for next generation energy storage devices.

Disclosed are methods of making porous zinc electrodes. Taken together, the steps are: forming a mixture of water, a soluble compound that increases the viscosity of the mixture, an insoluble porogen, and metallic zinc powder; placing the mixture in a mold to form a sponge; optionally drying the sponge; placing the sponge in a metal mesh positioned to allow air flow through substantially all the openings in the mesh; heating the sponge in an inert atmosphere at a peak temperature of 200 to 420 C. to fuse the zinc particles to each other to form a sintered sponge; and heating the sintered sponge in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a peak temperature of 420 to 700 C. to form ZnO on the surfaces of the sintered sponge. The heating steps burn out the porogen.

Disclosed are methods of making porous zinc electrodes. Taken together, the steps are: forming a mixture of water, a soluble compound that increases the viscosity of the mixture, an insoluble porogen, and metallic zinc powder; placing the mixture in a mold to form a sponge; optionally drying the sponge; placing the sponge in a metal mesh positioned to allow air flow through substantially all the openings in the mesh; heating the sponge in an inert atmosphere at a peak temperature of 200 to 420 C. to fuse the zinc particles to each other to form a sintered sponge; and heating the sintered sponge in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a peak temperature of 420 to 700 C. to form ZnO on the surfaces of the sintered sponge. The heating steps burn out the porogen.

A composite for forming an electrode contains an active material and macromolecular particles, and can be discharged by an inkjet method. The composite for forming an electrode is excellent in the storage stability and the discharge stability even when the content of the active material is increased.

A composite for forming an electrode contains an active material and macromolecular particles, and can be discharged by an inkjet method. The composite for forming an electrode is excellent in the storage stability and the discharge stability even when the content of the active material is increased.

In an embodiment, a secondary ZnMnO.sub.2 battery comprises a battery housing, a MnO.sub.2 cathode, a Zn anode, and an electrolyte solution. The MnO.sub.2 cathode, the Zn anode, and the electrolyte solution are disposed within the battery housing, and the MnO.sub.2 cathode comprises a MnO.sub.2 cathode mixture and a current collector. The MnO.sub.2 cathode mixture is in electrical contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the current collector, and the MnO.sub.2 cathode has a porosity of from about 5 vol. % to about 90 vol. %, based on the total volume of the MnO.sub.2 cathode mixture of the MnO.sub.2 cathode.

In an embodiment, a secondary ZnMnO.sub.2 battery comprises a battery housing, a MnO.sub.2 cathode, a Zn anode, and an electrolyte solution. The MnO.sub.2 cathode, the Zn anode, and the electrolyte solution are disposed within the battery housing, and the MnO.sub.2 cathode comprises a MnO.sub.2 cathode mixture and a current collector. The MnO.sub.2 cathode mixture is in electrical contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the current collector, and the MnO.sub.2 cathode has a porosity of from about 5 vol. % to about 90 vol. %, based on the total volume of the MnO.sub.2 cathode mixture of the MnO.sub.2 cathode.

Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, containing cathodes with a nickel compound active material, wherein active material particles are coated with at least one of a number of materials so as to improve the shelf life of the electrochemical cell. Methods of preparing such cathodes and electrochemical cells are also provided.

Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, containing cathodes with a nickel compound active material, wherein active material particles are coated with at least one of a number of materials so as to improve the shelf life of the electrochemical cell. Methods of preparing such cathodes and electrochemical cells are also provided.