Light metal (CFx)n electrochemical cells having high current density and high power density

Claim 2

An electrochemical cell comprising a light metal anode, a (CF x ) n cathode, wherein x is equal to or less than 1.2 and n is an indeterminately large number, and an electrolyte which a) has an electrical conductance of at least 5 x 10 -3 ohm -1 cm -1 , b) has a contact angle with the cathode of 40° or less, and c) comprises a lithium salt, selected from the group consisting of LiClO 4 , LiAsF 6 and LiAlCl 4 dissolved in a solvent blend of i) at least 40 volume percent of an anhydrous, aprotic organic liquid having a surface tension of less than 25 dynes/cm and a molecular weight of 40-120; and ii) up to 60 volume percent of an anhydrous organic liquid having a dielectric constant of at least 25.

Claim 3

The electrochemical cell of claim 1 wherein the light metal is lithium.

Claim 4

The electrochemical cell of claim 1 or 2 wherein a) the anhydrous, aprotic organic liquid having a surface tension of less than 25 dynes/cm is selected from the group consisting of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, methyl formate, ethyl formate, ethyl ether and 1,2-dimethoxymethane; and b) the anhydrous organic liquid having a dielectric constant of at least 25 is selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, y-butyrolactone and dimethyl sulfoxide.

Claim 5

The electrochemical cell of claim 1. 2 or 3. wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of a) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate dissolved in a solvent blend consisting of 60 volume percent of isopropyl acetate and 40 volume percent propylene carbonate: b) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 60 volume percent propylene carbonate and 40 volume percent of methyl acetate: c) I Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend consisting of 50 volume percent of propylene carbonate and 50 volume percent of 1,2-dimethoxyethane; d) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent methyl acetate: e) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 40 volume percent propylene carbonate and 60 volume percent methyl acetate: f) 1.25 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent methyl acetate: g) 1.5 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent 1.2-dimethoxyethane: and h) 1.5 Molar lithium perchlorate dissolved in a solvent blend of 40 volume percent propylene carbonate and 60 volume percent 1,2-dimethoxyethane.

Claim 6

5 . The electrochemical cell of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein x has an average value of 1. 0 .

Claim 7

The electrochemical cell of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the contact angle of the electr-olyte with the cathode is in the range of 8 to 37° and the electrical conductance is in the range of 7.0 to 13 . 0 x 10 -3 ohm -1 cm -1 .

Claim 8

An electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode; a cathode comprising a current collector coated with a dispersion of 70 to 92 weight percent of (CF x ) n , wherein x is equal to or less than 1.2. and n is an indeterminately large number, 5 to 10 weight percent current carrier and 3 to 20 weight percent binder. 8. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 wherein the dispersion comprises 70 weight percent of (CF ) 10 weight percent carbon and 20 weight percent binder.

Claim 9

An electrolyte composition selected from the group consisting of a) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate dissolved in a solvent blend consisting of 60 volume percent of isopropyl acetate and 40 volume percent propylene carbonate; b) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 60 volume percent propylene carbonate and 40 volume percent of methyl acetate; c) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent methyl acetate; d) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 40 volume percent propylene carbonate and 60 volume percent methyl acetate; e) 1.25 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent methyl acetate.

Claim 10

An electrolyte composition selected from the group consisting of a) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate dissolved in a solvent blend consisting of 60 volume percent of isopropyl acetate and 40 volume percent propylene carbonate; b) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 60 volume percent propylene carbonate and 40 volume percent of methyl acetate; c) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent methyl acetate; d) 1 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 40 volume percent propylene carbonate and 60 volume percent methyl acetate; e) 1.25 Molar lithium perchlorate in a solvent blend of 20 volume percent propylene carbonate and 80 volume percent methyl acetate.