A purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing, etc., a member for an electrochemical device in which the problem of irreversible change in the composition of the electrochemical device due to solvent depletion, moisture absorption, etc., during manufacturing of the electrochemical devices is unlikely to occur. This method for manufacturing a member for an electrochemical device includes performing at least one shaping operation described in the present specification on a shaping material composition that comprises: at least one filler (F); a plasticizer (P-S), being water, an ionic liquid, or a mixture thereof; and a polymer (P1), the shaping material composition being substantially free of an organic solvent and having plasticity and self-supporting property.

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing, etc., a member for an electrochemical device in which the problem of irreversible change in the composition of the electrochemical device due to solvent depletion, moisture absorption, etc., during manufacturing of the electrochemical devices is unlikely to occur. This method for manufacturing a member for an electrochemical device includes performing at least one shaping operation described in the present specification on a shaping material composition that comprises: at least one filler (F); a plasticizer (P-S), being water, an ionic liquid, or a mixture thereof; and a polymer (P1), the shaping material composition being substantially free of an organic solvent and having plasticity and self-supporting property.

The present application relates to a separator in the electrochemical field and a preparation method therefor, and to a secondary battery comprising the separator, a device comprising the secondary battery. The separator of the present application is prepared by a simple process and has excellent heat resistance performance. Moreover, the secondary batteries and devices comprising the separator of the present application have good safety performance and cycling performance.

The present application relates to a separator, comprising a substrate and a coating formed on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises inorganic particles and first organic particles embedded in the inorganic particles and forming protrusions on the surface of the coating, and the first organic particles have a primary particle morphology and a number-average particle size of ≥2 μm. The present application also relates to a secondary battery comprising the separator, a device comprising the secondary battery and a method for preparing the separator.

High voltage, high-ionic-conductivity, fire resistant solid-state polymer electrolytes include poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) P(VDF-HFP), sulfolane plasticizer, lithium salt, and ceramic nanoparticles with the basic formula Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12 (LLZO) and derivatives thereof. During the curing process, the presence of the LLZO nanoparticles prevent the P(VDF-HFP) from developing into a crystalline phase. In the electrolyte formed, the P(VDF-HFP) is in an amorphous phase with LLZO nanoparticles, lithium salt and sulfolane distributed in the polymer matrix. The solid-state electrolyte with the amorphous polymer phase exhibit higher ionic conductivities than those having a crystalline polymer phase. The LLZO contributes to mechanical properties of the electrolyte and also function as tough ceramic fillers that inhibit lithium dendrite growth during operation of lithium-ion cells and batteries. 5V all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries incorporated the electrolytes exhibit high energy densities (250-350 Whr/kg), high power densities (high discharge rate up to 5 C) and long service lives (500-1500 cycles, <2% irreversible loss/month).

High voltage, high-ionic-conductivity, fire resistant solid-state polymer electrolytes include poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) P(VDF-HFP), sulfolane plasticizer, lithium salt, and ceramic nanoparticles with the basic formula Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12 (LLZO) and derivatives thereof. During the curing process, the presence of the LLZO nanoparticles prevent the P(VDF-HFP) from developing into a crystalline phase. In the electrolyte formed, the P(VDF-HFP) is in an amorphous phase with LLZO nanoparticles, lithium salt and sulfolane distributed in the polymer matrix. The solid-state electrolyte with the amorphous polymer phase exhibit higher ionic conductivities than those having a crystalline polymer phase. The LLZO contributes to mechanical properties of the electrolyte and also function as tough ceramic fillers that inhibit lithium dendrite growth during operation of lithium-ion cells and batteries. 5V all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries incorporated the electrolytes exhibit high energy densities (250-350 Whr/kg), high power densities (high discharge rate up to 5 C) and long service lives (500-1500 cycles, <2% irreversible loss/month).

A battery includes an electrode layer, a counter-electrode layer placed opposite to the electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter-electrode layer, and an insulating layer located between the electrode layer and the solid electrolyte layer. The electrode layer includes a collector and an electrode active material layer located between the collector and the solid electrolyte layer and between the collector and the insulating layer. The insulating layer is located at ends of the electrode active material layer in plan view. The insulating layer is located in a region where a length of the electrode active material layer from an outer periphery in plan view is less than or equal to 1 mm.

A battery includes an electrode layer, a counter-electrode layer placed opposite to the electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter-electrode layer, and an insulating layer located between the electrode layer and the solid electrolyte layer. The electrode layer includes a collector and an electrode active material layer located between the collector and the solid electrolyte layer and between the collector and the insulating layer. The insulating layer is located at ends of the electrode active material layer in plan view. The insulating layer is located in a region where a length of the electrode active material layer from an outer periphery in plan view is less than or equal to 1 mm.

Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”). Additional components, such as additional electrolytes and solvents, may also be included.

Described herein are electrodes, electrochemical cells, methods of making electrodes and methods of making electro-chemical cells. The electrodes described herein have an interface layer or material that can stabilize reversible alkali metal deposition. The interface material may correspond to or be a solid-electrolyte interphase that can allow alkali metal ions to transmit through and be deposited below the interface material. The interface material can prevent dendrite formation and/or decomposition of the electrolyte, enabling use of lithium metal safely in a secondary (i.e., rechargeable) electrochemical cell. The interface material may comprise a combination of one or more metals, one or more chalcogens, and one or more other elements or organic functional groups.