Primary Sodium Batteries with Beta‐Alumina Solid Electrolyte

Abstract

The principal characteristics of a new class of high‐energy density primary batteries are described. These batteries employ sodium beta‐alumina as a solid electrolyte membrane that separates the reactants, sodium‐mercury amalgam as the anode, and halogens, water, or air as the oxidants. The batteries operate at or near ambient temperatures and produce very high cell voltages and energy densities. They have an essentially nondetectable rate of self‐discharge, and shelf and operating times of ten years appear feasible. A present limitation is their low power drain capability. The operating features of the sodium‐mercury amalgam anode, the cell polarization characteristics, and the discharge behavior of cells employing various liquid cathodes are described.