The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material for a battery. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is L.sub.ixA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a−zM.sub.zO.sub.2.Math.nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0.02 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof.

The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material for a battery. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is L.sub.ixA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a−zM.sub.zO.sub.2.Math.nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0.02 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof.

An alkaline dry cell includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an electrolytic solution contained in the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator, wherein the electrolytic solution contains an alkaline aqueous solution. The negative electrode contains an additive and a negative electrode active material containing zinc; and the additive contains at least one selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and salts of the foregoing. The amount of the negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode is from 176 to 221 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of water contained in the electrolytic solution. The amount of the additive contained in the negative electrode is from 0.1 to 1.0 part by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the negative electrode active material.

Provided are electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing these cells. An electrochemical cell comprises a positive electrode and an electrolyte layer, printed over the positive electrode. In some examples, each of the positive electrode, electrolyte layer, and negative electrode comprises an ionic liquid enabling ionic transfer. The negative electrode comprises a negative active material layer (e.g., comprising zinc), printed over and directly interfacing the electrolyte layer. The negative electrode also comprises a negative current collector (e.g., copper foil) and a conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer is disposed between and adhered to, directly interfaces, and provides electronic conductivity between the negative active material layer and the negative current collector. In some examples, the conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises carbon and/or metal particles (e.g., nickel, copper, indium, and/or silver). Furthermore, the conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer may comprise an acrylic polymer, encapsulating these particles.

A redox mediator-containing electrolyte incorporated into a battery cell is described. The redox mediator-containing electrolyte includes water, at least one hydroxide salt dissolved in the water, and at least one redox mediator incorporated into the water. The at least one redox mediator increases at least one of a rate capability or a cycle life of the battery cell by at least 10%. Also described are battery cells that may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the redox mediator-containing electrolyte. The battery cells may further include an ion-selective material that diffuses hydroxide ions through the material at a faster rate than at least one of the redox mediators.

A method for forming a battery structure includes texturing an anode packaging material to form a first textured surface, depositing one or more metal layers including an anode metal on the first textured surface and forming a separator on the anode metal. It also includes texturing a cathode packaging material to form a second textured surface, depositing a cathode metal on the second textured surface, and forming an electrolyte binder paste on the cathode metal, which contacts the separator with any gap being filled with electrolyte.

A method for forming a battery structure includes texturing an anode packaging material to form a first textured surface, depositing one or more metal layers including an anode metal on the first textured surface and forming a separator on the anode metal. It also includes texturing a cathode packaging material to form a second textured surface, depositing a cathode metal on the second textured surface, and forming an electrolyte binder paste on the cathode metal, which contacts the separator with any gap being filled with electrolyte.

A nickel-hydrogen secondary battery includes an electrode group comprising a separator, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material including a base particle comprising a nickel hydroxide particle containing Mn in solid solution and a conductive layer comprising a Co compound and covering the surface of the base particle, wherein the X-ray absorption edge energy of Mn detected within 6500 to 6600 eV by measurement with an XAFS method is 6548 eV or higher.

A nickel-hydrogen secondary battery includes an electrode group comprising a separator, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material including a base particle comprising a nickel hydroxide particle containing Mn in solid solution and a conductive layer comprising a Co compound and covering the surface of the base particle, wherein the X-ray absorption edge energy of Mn detected within 6500 to 6600 eV by measurement with an XAFS method is 6548 eV or higher.

The invention is directed towards a cathode. The cathode includes an electrochemically active cathode material and at least one cathode additive. The at least one cathode additive includes a head group and at least one hydrocarbon tail group. The head group includes at least one p-element atom that is bonded to a second p-element atom. The at least one p-element atom has an electronegativity and the second p-element atom has an electronegativity. The electronegativity of the at least one p-element atom is different from the electronegativity of the second p-element atom.