Cathode material for electrochemical cells

• US 5,238,761 A
• Filed: 07/29/1991
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Ryan, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US07/736,987
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 429/218, 429/199
• US Class Current: 429/338
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/40 Alloys based on alkali metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/485 of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy H01M4/505, H01M4/525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/14 Cells with non-aqueous electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/16 with organic electrolyte H01M6/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/36 containing electrolyte and made operational by physical means, e.g. thermal cells

Abstract

There is provided a primary cell having an anode material, an electrolyte material and a cathode material, wherein the cathode material, in the pre-discharge condition thereof, is K₃ V₅ O₁₄. In one aspect, the invention comprises a thermal cell having a lithium metal or lithium alloy anode, an electrolyte material comprising at least one lithium salt and the aforementioned cathode material. In another aspect, the invention comprises an improved conventional room or ambient temperature cell having a lithium anode, a nonaqueous electrolyte and the aforementioned cathode material.

Claims

1. A primary cell having an anode material, an electrolyte material and a cathode material, wherein said cathode material, in the pre-discharge condition thereof, is K₃ V₅ O₁₄.

2. A thermal cell in accordance with claim 1 wherein said anode material is lithium metal or an alloy of lithium.

3. The cell of claim 2 wherein said cathode material is in intimate admixture with an electrolyte material comprising at least one lithium salt.

4. The cell of claim 3 wherein said electrolyte material is LiCl/KCl eutectic.

5. The cell of claim 3 wherein said electrolyte material is LiF/LiCl/LiBr eutectic.

6. The cell of claim 3 wherein said electrolyte material is LiBr/KBr eutectic.

7. The cell of claim 2 wherein said anode material is a lithium/aluminum alloy containing about 20 to 24 weight percent lithium.

8. The cell of claim 2 wherein said anode material is a lithium/silicon alloy containing about 44 to 56 weight percent lithium.

9. The cell of claim 2 wherein said anode material is a lithium/boron alloy containing about 53 to 80 weight percent lithium.

10. A primary cell in accordance with claim 1 wherein said anode material is lithium metal and wherein said electrolyte material is a nonaqueous solvent.

11. The cell of claim 10 wherein said electrolyte material is an organic solvent.

12. The cell of claim 11 wherein said electrolyte material is acetonitrile.

13. The cell of claim 11 wherein said electrolyte material is propylene carbonate.