Lithium Inorganic Electrolyte Cells Utilizing Solvent Reduction

Abstract

This paper describes a study of room temperature lithium cells employing solutions of in and in as electrolytes and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)‐bonded carbon black electrodes as cathodes. A novel feature of these cells is that during discharge the solvents, i.e., and , are electrochemically reduced and behave as soluble cathodes. Sealed prototype cells were fabricated using a polyethylene‐polyester laminated bag container. Based on total cell weight, a prototype cell yielded an experimental energy density of 244 W‐hr/lb for a 57‐hr discharge rate (20 mA constant current; 1 mA/cm2 current density). The performance of these cells is also compared with the performance of prototype lithium‐organic electrolyte‐graphite monofluoride and lithium‐inorganic electrolyte‐tetracarbon monofluoride cells.