An electrochemical cell according to an embodiment includes a hydrogen electrode, an electrolyte laminated on the hydrogen electrode, a barrier-layer laminated on the electrolyte, and an oxygen electrode laminated on the barrier-layer. The barrier-layer has a porous structure having a thickness of greater than 20 μm and a porosity of greater than 10%.

Methods of flash sintering have been developed in which particle are initially coated with thin layers by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Examples are provided in which 8 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) particles are coated with small quantities of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 by particle atomic layer deposition (ALD). Sintered materials that result from the process have been characterized. Sintered materials having unique characteristics are also described.

Set forth herein are processes and materials for sintering dense thin green films comprising lithium-stuffed garnet powder and a binder to obtain sintered lithium-stuffed garnet thin films. Some of the processes, herein, include providing a first setter and a second setter, wherein the first setter and second setter each include at least 5 atomic % lithium (Li) per setter; placing the green film on the first setter; placing the second setter within 2 cm of the green film but not in contact with the green film; and heating the green film to at least 900 C.

The disclosure relates to a method for producing a solid-state lithium ion conductor material in which the use of water and/or steam is a medium when the obtained intermediate product is cooled or quenched and, if needed, comminution of the intermediate product and/or carrying out of a cooling process with the production of a powder in one comminution step or in a plurality of comminution steps leads or lead to especially advantageous production products. The subject of the disclosure is also the solid-state lithium ion conductor material that has an ion conductivity of at least 10.sup.−5 S/cm at room temperature as well as a water content of <1.0 wt %. The disclosure further relates to the use of the solid-state lithium ion conductor material in the form of a powder in batteries or rechargeable batteries, preferably lithium batteries or rechargeable lithium batteries, in particular, separators, cathodes, anodes, or solid-state electrolytes.

Disclosed is a member for electrochemical devices comprising a current collector, an electrode mixture layer provided on the current collector, and an electrolyte layer provided on the electrode mixture layer in this order, wherein the electrode mixture layer comprises an electrode active material, a polymer having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1), at least one electrolyte salt selected from the group consisting of lithium salts, sodium salts, calcium salts, and magnesium salts, and a molten salt having a melting point of 250° C. or less, and the electrolyte layer comprises an inorganic solid electrolyte: ##STR00001## wherein X.sup.− represents a counter anion.

A sintered composite ceramic, includes: a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium dendrite growth inhibitor minor phase, such that the lithium dendrite growth inhibitor minor phase has a Li-metal oxide in a range of >0-10 wt. % based on the total weight of the sintered composite ceramic.

A component for a lithium battery including a first layer including a lithium garnet having a porosity of 0 percent to less than 25 percent, based on a total volume of the first layer; and a second layer on the first layer and having a porosity of 25 percent to 80 percent, based on a total volume of the second layer, wherein the second layer is on the first layer and the second layer has a composition that is different from a composition of the first layer.

A method of manufacturing a layer of crystalline ytterbium doped zirconia on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing a solution including precursor metal salts of the ytterbium doped zirconia onto a surface of the substrate, wherein the surface is a metallic or a ceramic surface. The solution is dried to form a film of the precursor metal salts on the surface. The film of the precursor metal salts is heated to decompose it to form an ytterbium doped zirconia. The previous steps may optionally be repeated. The film(s) are fired in order to form the layer of crystalline ytterbium doped zirconia. The ytterbium doped zirconia has a formula:

([Yb.sub.xM.sub.1−x].sub.2O.sub.3).sub.z(ZrO.sub.2).sub.1−z

wherein M is a metallic dopant ion; z is in the range of 0.03 to 0.13; and x is in the range of 0.05 to 1.

A novel and environmentally preferable method is provided for preparing solid electrolyte particles capable of making dense, flexible, Li.sup.+ conducting electrolyte thin films. Methods are also provided for using the solid electrolyte particles and/or thin films in manufacturing safer and more efficient lithium-based batteries. In particular, the method uses inorganic precursors instead of using organic precursors in preparing an aerosol and then convert the aerosol to solid powders to provide the solid electrolyte particles. The solid electrolyte particles prepared have a cubic polymorph and have a desired particle size range, and are capable of making a solid electrolyte film with a thickness less than 50 μm.

Herein discussed is a method of using an oxide ion conducting membrane comprising exposing the oxide ion conducting membrane to a reducing environment on both sides of the membrane. In an embodiment, the oxide ion conducting membrane also conducts electrons. In various embodiments, the membrane is impermeable to fluid flow (e.g., having a permeability of less than 1 micro darcy). In an embodiment, the oxide ion conducting membrane comprises lanthanum chromite and a material selected from the group consisting of doped ceria, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), lanthanum strontium gallate magnesite (LSGM), scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), Sc and Ce doped zirconia, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the lanthanum chromite comprises undoped lanthanum chromite, strontium doped lanthanum chromite, iron doped lanthanum chromite, strontium and iron doped lanthanum chromite, lanthanum calcium chromite, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the membrane is mixed conducting.