A method for producing an yttrium oxide-containing thin film by atomic layer deposition, the method comprising: a step for introducing a raw material gas containing tris(sec-butylcyclopentadienyl) yttrium into a treatment atmosphere in order to deposit tris(sec-butylcyclopentadienyl) yttrium on a substrate; and a step for introducing a reactive gas containing water vapor into the treatment atmosphere and causing the reactive gas to react with the tris(sec-butylcyclopentadienyl) yttrium that has been deposited on the substrate, thereby oxidizing yttrium is provided.

Presented are electrochemical devices with copper-free electrodes, methods for making/using such devices, and lithium alloy-based electrode tabs and current collectors for rechargeable lithium-class battery cells. A method of manufacturing copper-free electrodes includes feeding an aluminum workpiece, such as a strip of aluminum sheet metal, into a masking device. The masking device then applies a series of dielectric masks, such as strips of epoxy resin or dielectric tape, onto discrete areas of the workpiece to form a masked aluminum workpiece with masked areas interleaved with unmasked areas. The masked workpiece is then fed into an electrolytic anodizing solution, such as sulfuric acid, to form an anodized aluminum workpiece with anodized surface sections on the unmasked areas interleaved with un-anodized surface sections underneath the dielectric masks of the masked areas. The dielectric masks are removed to reveal the un-anodized surface sections, and the anodized aluminum workpiece is segmented into multiple copper-free electrodes.

The present invention provides a method of preparing an electrode for a lithium secondary battery which includes forming a first electrolyte layer by immersing an electrode current collector in a composition for forming the first electrolyte layer and applying a current, and forming a second electrolyte layer by immersing the electrode current collector having the first electrolyte layer formed thereon in a composition for forming the second electrolyte layer and applying a current, wherein one of the composition for forming the first electrolyte layer and the composition for forming the second electrolyte layer is a composition for forming an organic electrolyte layer, and another one is a composition for forming an inorganic electrolyte layer, and the composition for forming an inorganic electrolyte layer includes a compound represented by Formula 1.

High-performance flexible batteries are promising energy storage devices for portable and wearable electronics. The major obstacle to develop flexible batteries is the shortage of flexible electrodes with excellent electrochemical performance. Another challenge is the limited progress in the flexible batteries beyond Li-ion because of safety concerns for the Li-based electrochemical system. Accordingly, a self-supported tin sulfide (SnS) porous film (PF) was fabricated as a flexible cathode material in Al-ion battery, which delivers a high specific capacity of 406 mAh/g. A capacity decay rate of 0.03% per cycle was achieved, indicating a good stability. The self-supported and flexible SnS film also shows an outstanding electrochemical performance and stability during dynamic and static bending tests. Microscopic images demonstrated that the porous structure of SnS is beneficial for minimizing the volume expansion during charge/discharge. This leads to an improved structural stability and superior long-term cyclability.

This application discloses a negative electrode plate, a preparation method thereof, a secondary battery, a battery module, a battery pack, and an electric apparatus. The negative electrode plate may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode film layer, where the negative electrode film layer may be provided on at least one surface of the negative electrode current collector and may include a negative electrode active material; where at least part of surface of the negative electrode active material may be provided with an artificial solid electrolyte interface film, where the artificial solid electrolyte interface film may include a first inorganic lithium salt, and the first inorganic lithium salt may be selected from one or two of Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 and Li.sub.2SO.sub.3.

At least one embodiment relates to a method for transforming at least part of a valve metal layer into a template that includes a plurality of spaced channels aligned longitudinally along a first direction. The method includes a first anodization step that includes anodizing the valve metal layer in a thickness direction to form a porous layer that includes a plurality of channels. Each channel has channel walls and a channel bottom. The channel bottom is coated with a first insulating metal oxide barrier layer as a result of the first anodization step. The method also includes a protective treatment. Further, the method includes a second anodization step after the protective treatment. The second anodization step substantially removes the first insulating metal oxide barrier layer, induces anodization, and creates a second insulating metal oxide barrier layer. In addition, the method includes an etching step.

An anode for a lithium-based energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery is disclosed. The anode includes an electrically conductive current collector comprising an electrically conductive layer and a transition metal oxide layer overlaying the electrically conductive layer. The anode may include a continuous porous lithium storage layer provided over the transition metal oxide layer. The continuous porous lithium storage layer may include at least 80 atomic % silicon. A method of making the anode may include providing an electrically conductive current collector having an electrically conductive layer and a transition metal oxide layer provided over the electrically conductive layer. A continuous porous lithium storage layer is deposited over the transition metal oxide layer by PECVD. The continuous porous lithium storage layer has a total content of silicon of at least 80 atomic %.

The development of a novel battery comprising of high-oxidation-state periodate complex cathode and zinc anode is disclosed. A periodate complex H.sub.7Fe.sub.4(IO.sub.4).sub.3O.sub.8 was prepared by a precipitation reaction between Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3 and NaIO.sub.4, and was used in battery development for the first time. NaMnIO.sub.6 double periodate salts were also synthesized from MnSO.sub.4 and NaIO.sub.4 using the same techniques. The H.sub.7Fe.sub.4(IO.sub.4).sub.3O.sub.8 alone showed specific capacity of 300 mAh g.sup.−1; while NaMnIO.sub.6 showed specific capacity as high as 750 mAh g.sup.−1. Compared to single-electron processes in conventional cathode reactions, the possibility to significantly enhance cathode specific capacity via a multi-electron process associated with valence change from I(VII) to I.sub.2 is demonstrated. Novel 3D-printed reserve battery casing designs comprising replaceable electrodes also disclosed. Batteries featuring an ion-exchange membrane dual-electrolyte design are disclosed. Periodate based dry cell batteries utilizing polymer electrolytes are also disclosed.

A solid-state ion conductor includes a compound of Formula (I):

Li.sub.4+(b−a)y+cδ+(a−γ)xM.sup.1.sub.3+x+yM.sup.2.sub.3−yM″.sub.xO.sub.12X.sup.1.sub.cX.sup.2.sub.1−c  Formula (I)

wherein, M.sup.1 is a cationic element having an oxidation state of +2 or +3; M.sup.2 is a cationic element having an oxidation state of +4 or +5; M″ is a cationic element having an oxidation state of γ, wherein γ is less than b; X.sup.1 is a cluster anion having an oxidation state of (−1-δ), wherein δ is 0 or 1; X.sup.2 is a halogen; 0<c≤1; 0≤x≤1; and 0≤y≤2.

Presented are electrochemical devices with copper-free electrodes, methods for making/using such devices, and lithium alloy-based electrode tabs and current collectors for rechargeable lithium-class battery cells. A method of manufacturing copper-free electrodes includes feeding an aluminum workpiece, such as a strip of aluminum sheet metal, into a masking device. The masking device then applies a series of dielectric masks, such as strips of epoxy resin or dielectric tape, onto discrete areas of the workpiece to form a masked aluminum workpiece with masked areas interleaved with unmasked areas. The masked workpiece is then fed into an electrolytic anodizing solution, such as sulfuric acid, to form an anodized aluminum workpiece with anodized surface sections on the unmasked areas interleaved with un-anodized surface sections underneath the dielectric masks of the masked areas. The dielectric masks are removed to reveal the un-anodized surface sections, and the anodized aluminum workpiece is segmented into multiple copper-free electrodes.