Rechargable molten-electrolyte lithium batteries: A status report

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5455210

Kaun, T D

Lithium-alloy/metal sulfide cells with on molten-halide electrolytes, which are operated in a temperature range of 375-474{degree}C, have undergone many improvements in recent years. Cycle life now exceeds 1000 cycles. The Li-alloy/LiCl-LiBr-KBr eutectic (25:37:38 mol%)/upper-plateau (U.P). FeS{sub 2} cell operated at 400{degree}C has shown excellence performance prospects: 200 Wh/kg specific energy and 200-W/kg specific power. Electrolyte composition has played a dominant role in attaining long-term stable electrochemical performance. A modified LiCl-LiBr-KBr composition (34:32.5:33.5 mol%) was found to exhibit 25% increased ionic conductivity over that of the eutectic. This higher-conductivity electrolyte approximately compensates for the reduced electrolyte content of the electrolyte-starved FeS{sub 2} cell. Such a cell has attained of 95% utilization of U.P. FeS{sub 2} electrode capacity at a comparable cell impedance (0.8-1.0 ohm -cm{sup 2}) to that of an the electrolyte-flooded cell. Advancements in cell design and materials application have reduced materials costs and increased battery durability. Both FeS and FeS{sub 2} cell tests have demonstrated overcharge tolerance (3-5 mA/cm{sup 2}) for electrolyte-starved operation with MgO powder separators. 12 refs., 7 figs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5455210
• Report Number(s): CONF-8910107-4; ON: DE90003774
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250900* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALLOYS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COST
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IONS
LITHIUM ALLOYS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM IONS
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
MOLTEN SALTS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RECHARGE
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SALTS
SERVICE LIFE
TESTING