New Liquid Cathode Electrolytes in High Rate Cells
Abstract
The power limitations of liquid oxyhalide batteries have been explored by examining the physical and electrical properties of new electrolytes. Conductivity, kinematic viscosity and specific gravity of electrolytes were measured inside a specially adapted argon filled drybox. Liquid cathode oxyhalide electrolytes designed to enhance power density were tested first in demountable test cells and then, the most promising, in hermetically sealed high rate F size jellyroll cells. For F cells, the capacity on constant current discharge was measured at 3.5 and 12.5 mA/cm2 for fresh cells at 21 C and at 3.5 mA/cm2 for cells stored 4 weeks at 54 C then discharged at -30 C. An optimized cell design with thicker electrodes was developed for testing electrolytes with higher conductivity than LiAlCl4-SOCl2. The best capacity at 2A was achieved with LiGaCl4-SOCl2 or LiAlCl4-SOCl2. The best capacity at 7A was achieved with LiGaCl4-SOCl2. LiGaCl4 in SOCl2 was found to discharge at higher temperatures than LiAlCl4 in SOCl2. Imidazolium, aralkylammonium and sulfonium chlorides were found to have high solubility and conductivity in thionyl chloride, but lithium was found to be passive in contact with these solutions and most metals corroded excessively. These salts mixed with aluminum chloride were much less aggressive and when mixed with lithium salts in addition gave high conductivity and test cell capacities. In finished cells, however, the solutions were still too corrosive to make stable systems. Lithium batteries, Liquid cathodes, Thionyl chloride, Sulfuryl chloride, Electrolyte salts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA219822
Entities
People
- David W. Kalisz
- George E. Blomgren
- Jean W. Bailey