A composite electrode material may include a carbon-based matrix component and a silicon-based particulate component embedded in the carbon-based matrix component. The silicon-based particulate component may include a plurality of core-shell structures, with each core-shell structure including: a silicon core, an intermetallic layer overlying the core, and a graphitic shell surrounding the silicon core and the intermetallic layer. In a method of making the composite electrode material, a metal catalyst layer may be deposited on a plurality of silicon particles to form a plurality of precursor structures in particle form. The precursor structures may be dispersed in organic polymeric material to form a precursor electrode material, which may be heated in an inert environment to pyrolyze the organic polymeric material and transform the precursor electrode material into a composite electrode material.

Provided is an anode electrode (e.g. a layer or roll of a laminated structure) for a lithium battery or sodium battery, the anode electrode comprising: (a) an anode current collector having two primary surfaces; (b) multiple particles or coating of a lithium-attracting metal or sodium-attracting metal deposited on at least one of the two primary surfaces, wherein the lithium-attracting metal or sodium-attracting metal, having a diameter or thickness from 1 nm to 10 μm, is selected from Au, Ag, Mg, Zn, Ti, K, Al, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Sn, V, Cr, an alloy thereof, or a combination thereof; and (c) a layer of graphene that covers and protects the multiple particles or coating of the metal. Also provided is a process for producing such an anode electrode and a battery cell.

An active material (1) for a positive electrode includes an aggregate (10) of an electrochemically active polymer having an oxidized repeat unit and a reduced repeat unit. The aggregate (10) includes a first portion (11) forming a surface of the aggregate 10 and a second portion 12 covered by the first portion 11. In the active material 1, the percentage content of the oxidized repeat unit in the first portion 11 on a weight basis is lower than the percentage content of the oxidized repeat unit in the second portion 12 on a weight basis.

A lithium-sulfur secondary battery is disclosed, and in particular, a lithium-sulfur secondary battery in which a positive electrode includes a sulfur-carbon composite including a microporous carbon material and sulfur, or a conductive additive including a carbon material having high specific surface area. By specifying conditions of the positive electrode and an electrolyte liquid, energy density may be enhanced compared to existing lithium-sulfur secondary batteries.

An electrode and an energy storage device including the electrode, the electrode including: an active material including a material structure of metal sulfides; a conductive polymer including an ionic liquid disposed on the active material; wherein the combination of the conductive polymer and the ionic liquid is arranged to maintain integrity of the material structure and facilitate ion transportation across the material structure during an operation of charging and discharging cycle of the energy storage device.

The invention features a rechargeable cathode and a battery comprising the cathode. The cathode includes a solid, ionically conducting polymer material and electroactive sulfur. The battery contains a lithium anode; the cathode; and an electrolyte; wherein at least one of anode, the cathode and the electrolyte, include the solid, ionically conducting polymer material.

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a first electrode plate including a core plate and an active material layer including an active material and a binder, and disposed on a surface of the core plate; a second electrode plate; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. When the surface of the active material layer in contact with the core plate is taken as zero point, the amount of the binder in a 0%-10% thickness region X is 8.5 to 9.5 mass % of the total amount of the binder in the active material layer, the amount of the binder in a 90%-100% thickness region Y is 9.5 to 11.5 mass % of the total amount of the binder in the active material layer, and a binder-richest portion across the thickness of the active material layer resides in a 55%-100% thickness region across the thickness of the active material layer.

The invention relates to a method for applying polymer patches, in particular from polymer electrode material, on a carrier substrate, including the following method steps:

a) plasticizing the polymer electrode material to form a melt,

b) feeding the plasticized polymer electrode material via at least one die to a heated, structured roller or to a heated, structured conveyor belt, wherein the roller and/or the conveyor belt have recesses that correspond to the dimensions of the patches to be applied,

c) applying the plasticized polymer electrode material on a carrier substrate by bringing the roller and/or the conveyor belt in contact with a carrier substrate.

A nanoparticle and a method for fabricating the nanoparticle utilize a decomposable material yoke located within permeable organic polymer material shell and separated from the permeable organic polymer material shell by a void space. When the decomposable material yoke comprises a sulfur material and the permeable organic polymer material shell comprises a material permeable to both a sulfur material vapor and a lithium ion within a battery electrolyte the nanoparticle may be used within an electrode for a Li/S battery absent the negative effects of battery electrode materials expansion.

The invention features a rechargeable cathode and a battery comprising the cathode. The cathode includes a solid, ionically conducting polymer material and electroactive sulfur. The battery contains a lithium anode; the cathode; and an electrolyte; wherein at least one of anode, the cathode and the electrolyte, include the solid, ionically conducting polymer material.