The present invention relates to a method for producing a substrate (2) which is coated with an alkali metal (1), in which method a promoter layer (3) which is composed of a material which reacts with the alkali metal (1) by at least partial chemical reduction of the promoter layer (3) is applied to a surface of the substrate (2) and a surface of the promoter layer (3) is acted on by an alkali metal (1) and then the alkali metal (1) is converted into the solid phase and a coating containing the alkali metal is formed.

An object of the present invention is to provide active material particles excellent in ion uptake ability. The silicon-based active material particles according to the present invention comprise a layer structure. Here, the “silicon-based active material particles” are, for example, active material particles for forming a negative electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery. Examples of the active material particles for forming the negative electrode of the lithium ion secondary battery include so-called Si-based active materials such as silicon (Si), silicon oxide (SiO.sub.x), metal element-containing silicon oxide containing alkaline metal elements such as lithium (Li) and alkaline earth metal elements such as magnesium (Mg), silicon alloys. The thickness of the layer in the active material particles is preferably 1 μm or less. Here, the thickness of the layer is preferably 0.01 μm or more.

A method for using an integrated battery and device structure includes using two or more stacked electrochemical cells integrated with each other formed overlying a surface of a substrate. The two or more stacked electrochemical cells include related two or more different electrochemistries with one or more devices formed using one or more sequential deposition processes. The one or more devices are integrated with the two or more stacked electrochemical cells to form the integrated battery and device structure as a unified structure overlying the surface of the substrate. The one or more stacked electrochemical cells and the one or more devices are integrated as the unified structure using the one or more sequential deposition processes. The integrated battery and device structure is configured such that the two or more stacked electrochemical cells and one or more devices are in electrical, chemical, and thermal conduction with each other.

A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery, in which a LiF layer comprising amorphous LiF in an amount of 30 mol % or more is formed on a negative electrode active material layer comprising a carbon-based active material, a lithium secondary battery comprising the same, and a preparation method thereof.

A lithium electrode and a lithium secondary battery including the same. The lithium electrode has a surface oxide layer with a controlled thickness and surface roughness. The lithium electrode may be used as a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery, for example, a lithium-sulfur secondary battery. A lithium-sulfur battery including the lithium electrode has an enhanced lifetime due to suppression of side reactions with polysulfide.

Metal electrodes, more specifically lithium-containing anodes, high performance electrochemical devices, such as secondary batteries, including the aforementioned lithium-containing electrodes, and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In one implementation, an anode electrode structure is provided. The anode electrode structure comprises a current collector comprising copper, a lithium metal film formed on the current collector, a copper film formed on the lithium metal film, and a protective film formed on the copper film. The protective film is a lithium-ion conducting film selected from the group comprising lithium-ion conducting ceramic, a lithium-ion conducting glass, or ion conducting liquid crystal.

An electrochemical cell including at least one nitrogen-containing compound is disclosed. The at least one nitrogen-containing compound may form part of or be included in: an anode structure, a cathode structure, an electrolyte and/or a separator of the electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is a battery including the electrochemical cell.

In a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, a porous or non-porous metal substrate may be provided. A precursor solution may be applied to a surface of the metal substrate. The precursor solution may comprise a chalcogen donor compound dissolved in a solvent. The precursor solution may be applied to the surface of the metal substrate such that the chalcogen donor compound reacts with the metal substrate and forms a conformal metal chalcogenide layer on the surface of the metal substrate. A conformal lithium metal layer may be formed on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Metal electrodes, more specifically lithium-containing anodes, high performance electrochemical devices, such as secondary batteries, including the aforementioned lithium-containing electrodes, and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In one or more embodiments, an anode electrode structure is provided and includes a current collector comprising copper, a lithium metal film formed on the current collector, a copper film formed on the lithium metal film, and a protective film formed on the copper film. The protective film is a lithium-ion conducting film can include lithium-ion conducting ceramic, a lithium-ion conducting glass, or ion conducting liquid crystal.

Provided are methods of effecting cation exchange in MXene materials so as to stabilize the materials. Also provided are compositions, comprising layered MXene materials that comprise an organic cation between layers. Also provided are MXene compositions comprising a chalcogen disposed thereon, the MXene composition further optionally comprising a quaternary ammonium halide disposed thereon.