An electrochemical device is claimed and disclosed, including a method of manufacturing the same, comprising an environmentally sensitive material, such as, for example, a lithium anode; and a plurality of alternating thin metallic and ceramic, blocking sub-layers. The multiple metallic and ceramic, blocking sub-layers encapsulate the environmentally sensitive material. The device may include a stress modulating layer, such as for example, a Lipon layer between the environmentally sensitive material and the encapsulation layer.

A conductive composition for electrode is provided that is excellent in conductivity and dispersibility. Further, an electrode for lithium ion secondary battery with lower plate resistance and a lithium ion secondary battery excellent in rate characteristics are provided that use this conductive composition. A conductive composition for electrode, including: carbon nanofiber with a median diameter D50 value by volume from 0.1 to 8 μm; an active material; and a binder enables production of an electrode for lithium ion secondary battery with lower plate resistance and a lithium ion secondary battery excellent in rate characteristics.

The present invention relates to a porous separator comprising a porous layer containing a plurality of plate-type inorganic particles and a first binder polymer positioned on part or all of the surface of the plate-type inorganic particles to connect and fix between the plate-type inorganic particles; and a metal layer formed on any one surface of the porous layer, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same.

The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance. The application of force to the electrochemical cell has been found, in accordance with the invention, to reduce such behavior and to improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell.

The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance. The application of force to the electrochemical cell has been found, in accordance with the invention, to reduce such behavior and to improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell.

A silicon-based electrode forms an interface with a layer pair being: 1. a thin, semi-dielectric layer made of a lithium (Li) compound, e.g. lithium fluoride, LiF, disposed on and adheres to the electrode surface of the silicon-based electrode and 2. an molten-ion conductive layer of a lithium containing salt (lithium salt layer) disposed on the semi-dielectric layer. One or more device layers can be disposed on the layer pair to make devices such as energy storage devices, like batteries. The interface has a low resistivity that reduces the energy losses and generated heat of the devices.

An all-solid-state battery includes: a cathode-current-collector layer, a first layer disposed on the cathode-current-collector layer, and including at least one selected from the group consisting of a particulate carbon material, a fibrous carbon material, and a combination thereof; a second layer arranged between the first layer and the cathode-current-collector layer, and including a carbon material having a layered structure; an electrolyte layer disposed on the first layer; and a complex anode layer disposed on the electrolyte layer.

The present invention relates to a sodium-ion battery comprising a positive electrode compartment comprising a positive electrode, said positive electrode comprising a Na-insertion compound; a negative electrode compartment comprising a negative electrode, said negative electrode comprising metallic sodium; and an electrolyte composition comprising a solid sodium-ion conductive ceramic electrolyte and a catholyte comprising a metallic salt with formula MY, wherein M is a cation selected from an alkali metal and an alkali-earth metal; and Y is an anion selected from [R.sup.1SO.sub.2NSO.sub.2R.sup.2], CF.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.−, C(CN).sub.3.sup.−, B(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sub.2.sup.− and BF.sub.2(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sup.−, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from fluorine or a fluoroalkyl group. The device is able to operate below the melting point of the anode component.

The present invention relates to a sodium-ion battery comprising a positive electrode compartment comprising a positive electrode, said positive electrode comprising a Na-insertion compound; a negative electrode compartment comprising a negative electrode, said negative electrode comprising metallic sodium; and an electrolyte composition comprising a solid sodium-ion conductive ceramic electrolyte and a catholyte comprising a metallic salt with formula MY, wherein M is a cation selected from an alkali metal and an alkali-earth metal; and Y is an anion selected from [R.sup.1SO.sub.2NSO.sub.2R.sup.2], CF.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.−, C(CN).sub.3.sup.−, B(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sub.2.sup.− and BF.sub.2(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sup.−, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from fluorine or a fluoroalkyl group. The device is able to operate below the melting point of the anode component.

An exemplary electrochemical energy storage device includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution includes an electrolyte salt represented by Li(XSO.sub.2NSO.sub.2Y) (where X and Y are any of F, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1 and (CF.sub.2).sub.m, and (CF.sub.2).sub.m forms a cyclic imide anion), an organic solvent which is capable of dissolving the electrolyte salt, and a polyethylene glycol of which both terminals are not OH. The positive electrode active material includes a chloride of Cu, Bi or Ag, and the negative electrode active material includes lithium.