Lithium-Metal Oxide Organic Electrolyte Systems

We have discovered that certain cobalt oxides can be cathodically discharged in organic electrolytes with high efficiency. These cobalt oxides were also found to be highly stable in the organic electrolytes. The materials were found to be exceedingly suitable for Li/Cobalt oxide organic electrolyte primary cells.

The objects of the invention are:

A. TO PROVIDE Li/Cobalt oxide primary cells with high volumetric and gravimetric capacity,

B. TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CELLS WITH HIGH UTILIZATION EFFICIENCY,

C. TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CELLS WITH LONG SHELF LIFE,

D. TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CELLS WITH RELATIVELY STEADY OUTPUT VOLTAGE THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CELLS,

E. TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CELLS WHICH DO NOT EXHIBIT ANY SPONTANEOUS GASSING DURING STORAGE AND DURING THE OPERATION OF THE CELL,

F. TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR RENDERING USEFUL IN BATTERIES COBALT OXIDES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN OF ANY USE IN WET CELLS HITHERTO, BECAUSE OF THEIR INTRINSIC DEFICIENCIES IN THE EXISTING SYSTEMS.

1. Li/Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 cells were constructed in parallel plate configuration using two rectangular lithium anodes (lithium ribbon pressed on stainless steel) placed on both sides of a rectangular (2.27 cm .times. 0.95 cm) Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 cathode, using one layer of filter paper separator on each side. The Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 rectangular cathodes were constructed according to the method described below.

A mixture of 70% Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 and 30% graphite by weight was throughly mixed using a "Waring" blender. The mix was then pelletized into small pellets using a pressure of 36 tons per square inch. The pellets were then broken mechanically to produce a granular mix. This mix was then treated with an aqueous Teflon dispersion (commonly known as colloidal Teflon) so that the amount of solid Teflon content was 3% by weight of the mix. This was then treated with isopropyl alcohol and mechanically kneaded to form a rubbery material. The rectangular cathodes were finally molded on expanded nickel current collector using the above rubbery mix by pressing with a force of 10,000 lbs. in a rectangular die. The apparent area of the finished cathode was 2.16 cm.sup.2 on one side. The cathodes were then cured at 200.degree.C for 2 hours.

The cells were packaged in a foil laminate (aluminum foil laminated with polyethylene) bag with 1M LiClO.sub.4 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) electrolyte and were heat sealed.

The open circuit voltage of the cells were 3.5 volts. The cells were discharged at constant currents of 2.25 ma (0.52 ma/cm.sup.2) and 4.5 ma (1.04 ma/cm.sup.2). The typical discharge curves of the Li/Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 cells are shown in FIG. 1. The voltage of the cells dropped quickly to 1.1 volts and remained relatively steady with the end of the discharge when the voltage dropped drastically below 0.8 volts. The material utilization efficiency of the cathode, based on the reaction

was 85% at 0.52 ma/cm.sup.2 and 99% at 1.04 ma/cm.sup.2 current densities.

The recoverable volumetric capacity of the Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 depolarizer was found to be over 5.2A hr./c.c. based on the active material. This was almost twice that of the theoretical volumetric capacity (2.8A hr/cc) of the H.sub.g O depolarizer. Furthermore, the Li/Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 organic electrolyte system did not exhibit any gassing during storage or during operation, unlike that of the Zn/HgO alkaline systems.

The above properties made the system particularly suitable for application in the electric watches where a steady voltage (1.1 volt or so) was preferable. The absence of gassing was also found to be particularly desirable, as it prevented the bulging and leakage of the button type watch cells. Cells made in W-4 Mallory battery cans using Li/Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 -- 1MLiClO.sub.4 --THF system, were used successfully to operate an "Accutron" watch.

The use of Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 in wet cells was not possible because of the polarization, low voltage and inefficient operation of the cathode in aqueous alkaline cells. These difficulties were overcome, in this invention, by the use of organic solvent and lithium metal anode.

2. Li/Co.sub.2 O.sub.3 cells were constructed using methods similar to that described in Example 1. The open circuit voltage of the cells was found to be 3.7 volts. The cells were discharged at a constant current of 2.25 ma (0.52 ma/cm.sup.2). The typical discharge curve is shown in FIG. 2. The voltage dropped to 1.1 volt on the passage of current and remained relatively steady thereafter. The material utilization efficiency, based on the complete reduction to the metal was found to be 54%.

The use of Co.sub.2 O.sub.3 in wet cells was thus made possible by the choice of organic solvent and lithium anode.

The voltage of NiO.sub.2 cells was thus considerably improved over the alkaline Ni-Cd or Ni-Zn cells, by using the lithium anode in organic electrolytes.

In a similar fashion it is thought that sodium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, and beryllium as an anode material will result in beneficial results as does lithium.

The invention is applicable to all primary cells with:

1. light metal anodes, e.g., Li, Na, K, Al, Mg, Ca and Be

2. organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, N-nitrosodimethylamine, dimethyl sulfite, propylene carbonate, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, gamma-butyrolactone, dimethyl carbonate, methyl formate, butylformate, acetonitrile, dimethoxy ethane and the mixtures thereof.

3. electrolytes comprising above solvents and all soluble salts of Li, Na, K, Mg, Be, Ca and Al. The perchlorates, hexafluorophosphates, tetrafluoroborates, tetrachloroaluminates, hexafluoroarsenates, of lithium are particularly suitable.