Disclosed are positive electrodes containing active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The cells include active-sulfur, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. These materials are provided in a manner allowing at least about 10% of the active-sulfur to be available for electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The method begins with a step of combining the electrode components in a slurry. Next, the slurry is homogenized such that the electrode components are well mixed and free of agglomerates. Thereafter, before the electrode components have settled or separated to any significant degree, the slurry is coated on a substrate to form a thin film. Finally, the coated film is dried to form the electrode in such a manner that the electrode components do not significantly redistribute.

Rechargeable positive electrode

This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Protective coating for separators for electrochemical cells

Disclosed are electrolyte solvents for ambient-temperature lithium-sulfur batteries. The disclosed solvents include at least one ethoxy repeating unit compound of the general formula R1(CH2CH2O)nR2, where n ranges between 2 and 10 and R1 and R2 are different or identical alkyl or alkoxy groups (including substituted alkyl or alkoxy groups). Alternatively, R1 and R2 may together with (CH2CH2O)n form a closed ring. Examples of linear solvents include the glymes (CH3O(CH2CH2)nCH3). Some electrolyte solvents include a donor or acceptor solvent in addition to an ethoxy compound as described. Examples of donor solvents include hexamethylphosphoramide, pyridine, N,N-diethylacetamide, N,N-diethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetramethylurea, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, tributylphosphate, trimethylphosphate, N,N,N',N'-tetraethylsulfamide, tetramethylenediamine, tetramethylpropylenediamine, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine. These assist in solvation of lithium ions. Examples of acceptor solvents include alcohols, glycols, and polyglycols. These assist in solvation of the sulfide and polysulfide anions.

Liquid electrolyte lithium-sulfur batteries

The present invention pertains to composite cathodes suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, said cathodes comprising: (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, in its oxidized state, comprises a polysulfide moiety of the formula -Sm-, wherein m is an integer equal to or greater than 3; and (b) an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition, which encapsulates said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, and which retards the transport of anionic reduction products of said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, said electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition comprising an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide having the formula MjYk(OR)1, wherein: M is a transition metal; Y is the same or different at each occurrence and is oxygen, sulfur, or selenium; R is an organic group and is the same or different at each occurrence; j is an integer ranging from 1 to 12; k is a number ranging from 0 to 72; and l is a number ranging from 0 to 72, with the proviso that k and l cannot both be 0. The present invention also pertains to methods of making such composite cathodes, cells comprising such composite cathodes, and methods of making such cells.

Composite cathodes, electrochemical cells comprising novel composite cathodes, and processes for fabricating same

An electrochemical storage cell or battery with an anode space for an alkali metal as the anolyte and with a cathode space for a sulfur-containing catholyte substance, which are separated from each other by an alkali-ion-conducting solid electrolyte and are confined by a cell wall of metal, particularly of a light metal or steel Long-life corrosion protection of the metal cell wall is provided by a protective layer by applying to at least that part of the metal cell wall in contact with the catholyte substance, a foil of corrosion-resistant material 001 to 02 mm thick by means of a conductive adhesive which retains its adhesive properties at operating temperatures

Electrochemical storage cell

CELLS HAVING CATHODES CONTAINING C.sub.s S CATHODE-ACTIVE MATERIALS

The present invention is directed to an electric current-producing cell which contains: (a) an anode having as its anode-active material one or more alkali metals; (b) a cathode having as its cathode-active material one or more polymer compounds having a plurality of carbon monosulfide units; and (c) an electrolyte which is chemically inert with respect to said anode and said cathode and which permits the migration of ions between said anode and said cathode.

Cells having cathodes containing carbon monosulfide polymer cathode-active materials

The present invention is directed to an electric current-producing cell which contains: (a) an anode having as its anode-active material one or more alkali metals; (b) a cathode having as its cathode-active material one or more carbon-sulfur compounds having the formula: Cx S, wherein x is a numerical value within the range of about 4 to about 50; and, (c) an electrolyte which is chemically inert with respect to said anode and said cathode and which permits the migration of ions between said anode and said cathode.

Cells having cathodes containing Cs S cathode-active materials

Nonstoichiometric carbon-sulfur compounds have been found to be effective adsorbents for removing a wide variety of organic and/or inorganic materials from liquids, preferably polar liquids. Removal of biorefractory organics, such as aromatics, is particularly effective using such compounds. The spent adsorbent may then be regenerated.

Use of nonstoichiometric carbon-sulfur compounds to remove components from liquids

w Carbon-sulfur compounds, C,S, have been studied as solvent-regenerable adsorbents for the removal of phenol from aqueous solution in a continuous column packed with granular adsorbent. The C,S material studied was prepared easily by reacting poly(viny1idene fluoride) charcoal with sulfur dioxide a t 600 “C. Results of adsorption-regeneration cycling experiments at room temperature show that C,S has a virgin capacity of 8.1 lb/ft3 with an influent concentration of 2000 ppm a t a flow rate of -10 bed volumes/h. Regeneration of the adsorbent with 2.0 bed volumes of 2-propanol recovers 90% of its capacity. Parallel studies on a conventional activated carbon, Filtrasorb 300, under similar experimental conditions show that the activated carbon has an initial capacity of 5.6 lb/ft3 and its capacity falls gradually to a value of 4.1 lb/ft3 after several cycles. The difference in regenerability between C,S and the activated carbon is attributed to the difference in surface groups.

Chin H. Chang

Papers

CELLS HAVING CATHODES CONTAINING C.sub.s S CATHODE-ACTIVE MATERIALS

Cells having cathodes containing carbon monosulfide polymer cathode-active materials

Cells having cathodes containing Cs S cathode-active materials

Use of nonstoichiometric carbon-sulfur compounds to remove components from liquids

Investigations of solvent-regenerable carbon-sulfur surface compounds for phenol removal in a packed column.