A method is provided for forming a metal battery electrode with a pyrolyzed coating. The method provides a metallorganic compound of metal (Me) and materials such as carbon (C), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and combinations of the above-listed materials, expressed as Me.sub.XC.sub.YN.sub.ZS.sub.XXO.sub.YY, where Me is a metal such as tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), or lead (Pb), or a metal alloy. The method heats the metallorganic compound, and as a result of the heating, decomposes materials in the metallorganic compound. In one aspect, decomposing the materials in the metallorganic compound includes forming a chemical reaction between the Me particles and the materials. An electrode is formed of Me particles coated by the materials. In another aspect, the Me particles coated with a material such as a carbide, a nitride, a sulfide, or combinations of the above-listed materials.

A method is provided for fabricating a battery using an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method forms an ion-permeable membrane immersed in an electrolyte. A preloaded anode is immersed in the electrolyte, comprising Me.sub.aX, where X is a material such as carbon, metal capable of being alloyed with Me, intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. Me is a metal such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and combinations of the above-listed metals. A cathode is also immersed in the electrolyte and separated from the preloaded anode by the ion-permeable membrane. The cathode comprises M1.sub.YM2.sub.Z(CN).sub.N.MH.sub.2O. After a plurality of initial charge and discharge operations are preformed, an anode is formed comprising Me.sub.bX overlying the current collector in a battery discharge state, where 0b<a.

A method is provided for fabricating a battery using an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method forms an ion-permeable membrane immersed in an electrolyte. A preloaded anode is immersed in the electrolyte, comprising Me.sub.aX, where X is a material such as carbon, metal capable of being alloyed with Me, intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. Me is a metal such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and combinations of the above-listed metals. A cathode is also immersed in the electrolyte and separated from the preloaded anode by the ion-permeable membrane. The cathode comprises M1.sub.YM2.sub.Z(CN).sub.N.MH.sub.2O. After a plurality of initial charge and discharge operations are preformed, an anode is formed comprising Me.sub.bX overlying the current collector in a battery discharge state, where 0b<a.

A method is presented for fabricating an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method provides a material (X), which may be one of the following materials: carbon, metals able to be electrochemically alloyed with a metal (Me), intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X). Typically, Me is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or a combination of the two. As a result, the method forms a preloaded anode comprising Me/X for use in a battery comprising a M1.sub.YM2.sub.Z(CN).sub.N.MH.sub.2O cathode, where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X) using physical (mechanical) mixing, a chemical reaction, or an electrochemical reaction. Also provided is preloaded anode, preloaded with consumable metals.

A method is presented for fabricating an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method provides a material (X), which may be one of the following materials: carbon, metals able to be electrochemically alloyed with a metal (Me), intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X). Typically, Me is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or a combination of the two. As a result, the method forms a preloaded anode comprising Me/X for use in a battery comprising a M1.sub.YM2.sub.Z(CN).sub.N.MH.sub.2O cathode, where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X) using physical (mechanical) mixing, a chemical reaction, or an electrochemical reaction. Also provided is preloaded anode, preloaded with consumable metals.

A cathode for an electrochemical device is described including a sodium-based disordered rock salt which can include a transition metal, such as manganese, iron, or titanium. The electrochemical device can be a sodium-ion battery. The disordered rock salt can either be stoichiometric or an over-stoichiometric. A degree of over-stoichiometry of the disordered rock salt is from 0% to about 100%. The disordered rock salt may include, Na.sub.1.1Ti.sub.0.2Mn.sub.0.7O.sub.2, MS10-Na.sub.1.1Ti.sub.0.2Mn.sub.0.7O.sub.2, MS20-Na.sub.1.1Ti.sub.0.2Mn.sub.0.7O.sub.2, Na.sub.1.2Ti.sub.0.4Mn.sub.0.4O.sub.2, MS10-Na.sub.1.2Ti.sub.0.4Mn.sub.0.4O.sub.2, Na.sub.1.3Ti.sub.0.6Mn.sub.0.1O.sub.2, and MS10-Na.sub.1.3Ti.sub.0.6Mn.sub.0.1O.sub.2, or a combination thereof.

A cathode for an electrochemical device is described including a sodium-based disordered rock salt which can include a transition metal, such as manganese, iron, or titanium. The electrochemical device can be a sodium-ion battery. The disordered rock salt can either be stoichiometric or an over-stoichiometric. A degree of over-stoichiometry of the disordered rock salt is from 0% to about 100%. The disordered rock salt may include, Na.sub.1.1Ti.sub.0.2Mn.sub.0.7O.sub.2, MS10-Na.sub.1.1Ti.sub.0.2Mn.sub.0.7O.sub.2, MS20-Na.sub.1.1Ti.sub.0.2Mn.sub.0.7O.sub.2, Na.sub.1.2Ti.sub.0.4Mn.sub.0.4O.sub.2, MS10-Na.sub.1.2Ti.sub.0.4Mn.sub.0.4O.sub.2, Na.sub.1.3Ti.sub.0.6Mn.sub.0.1O.sub.2, and MS10-Na.sub.1.3Ti.sub.0.6Mn.sub.0.1O.sub.2, or a combination thereof.

The disclosure provides a method of producing hydrogen. The method comprises conducting a thermochemical reaction by contacting a metal, or an alloy thereof, with steam to produce a metal oxide and/or a metal hydroxide and hydrogen. The method then comprises contacting the metal oxide and/or the metal hydroxide produced in the thermochemical reaction with water or a basic aqueous solution to produce a solution comprising a metal ion. Finally, the method comprises conducting an electrochemical reaction by applying a voltage across an anode and a cathode, whereby at least a portion of the cathode contacts the solution comprising the metal ion, to produce hydrogen, oxygen and the metal, or the alloy thereof.