The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6S.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries.

A method for manufacturing an electrode having a porosity of between 20% and 60% by volume and pores with an average diameter of less than 50 nm. In the method, provision is made of a substrate and a colloidal suspension of aggregates or agglomerates of monodisperse primary nanoparticles of an active electrode material, having an average primary diameter D.sub.50 of between 2 and 100 nm, the aggregates or agglomerates having an average diameter D.sub.50 of between 50 nm and 300 nm. A layer is deposited from said colloidal suspension on the substrate. The deposited layer is then dried and consolidated to obtain a mesoporous layer. A coating of an electronically conductive material is then deposited on and inside the pores of the porous layer. Such a porous electrode can be used in lithium-ion microbatteries.

Disclosed is a negative electrode current collector for an anode-free lithium metal battery. The negative electrode current collector includes a PdTe.sub.2 layer and an intermediate layer to inhibit the growth of lithium dendrite, resulting in significant improves in lifespan and performance of the lithium metal battery. The negative electrode current collector further includes an ion conductive layer to improve the performance of the lithium metal battery.

Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries.

An electrode material, its manufacturing method, and its use as a cathode material in batteries are provided. The electrode material comprises a plurality of nanoparticles, each having a diameter of approximately 100-400 nm and comprising a core and a shell encapsulating the core. The shell comprises carbon and nitrogen, respectively having a mass fraction of approximately 70-90% and approximately 5-20% relative to a total mass of the shell. The core comprises sulfur, having a mass fraction of approximately 40-97% relative to a total mass of the core. The core has a mass fraction of approximately 50-90% relative to a total mass of each nanoparticle. The electrode material can be used in a cathode of a Li—S battery, which has a good energy storage capacity, a high electrochemical stability, and a low capacity decay.

An immobilized selenium body, made from carbon and selenium and optionally sulfur, makes selenium more stable, requiring a higher temperature or an increase in kinetic energy for selenium to escape from the immobilized selenium body and enter a gas system, as compared to selenium alone Immobilized selenium localized in a carbon skeleton can be utilized in a rechargeable battery Immobilization of the selenium can impart compression stress on both the carbon skeleton and the selenium. Such compression stress enhances the electrical conductivity in the carbon skeleton and among the selenium particles and creates an interface for electrons to be delivered and or harvested in use of the battery. A rechargeable battery made from immobilized selenium can be charged or discharged at a faster rate over conventional batteries and can demonstrate excellent cycling stability.

A preparation method of fluorocarbon-coated VSe.sub.2 composite (VSe.sub.2@CF) anode electrode material, including: weighting and dissolving an acetylacetone oxovanadium (VO(acac).sub.2) and a selenium dioxide in a solvent to prepare a first solution with a concentration of 0.5-2 mol/L, and stirring the first solution for 0.5 h to obtain a dark green solution; adding the dark green solution with an organic acid to obtain a second solution; transferring the second solution to a polytetrafluoroethylene-lined high-pressure hydrothermal reactor, and holding at a heat insulation temperature for 15-30 h to obtain a third solution; after the third solution is cooled, suction filtering the cooled third solution, and washing the filtered third solution repeatedly to obtain a precipitate; drying the precipitate to obtain a black powder; co-mixing a citric acid solution with the black powder, stirring, ball milling, and drying; and heating up, holding, and finally cooling naturally to room temperature under inert atmosphere.

A method of making an anode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method includes providing a current collector having an electrically conductive substrate and a surface layer overlaying a first side of the electrically conductive substrate. A second side of the electrically conductive substrate includes a filament growth catalyst, wherein the second side is opposite the first. The method further includes depositing a lithium storage layer onto the surface layer using a first CVD process forming a plurality of lithium storage filamentary structures on the second side of the electrically conductive substrate using second CVD process.

A method for manufacturing an electrochemical device, implementing a process for manufacturing a porous electrode having a porous layer deposited on a substrate, the porous layer having a porosity of between 20% and 60% by volume and pores with an average diameter of less than 50 nm. The method includes providing a substrate and a colloidal suspension including aggregates or agglomerates of monodisperse primary nanoparticles of an active electrode material, having an average primary diameter of between 2 and 60 nm, the aggregates or agglomerates having an average diameter of between 50 nm and 300 nm, then depositing a layer from the colloidal suspension on the substrate, then drying and consolidating the layer to obtain a mesoporous layer, and then depositing a coating of an electronically conductive material on and inside the pores of the layer.