Abstract Primary cells capable of operating essentially in the solid state and utilizing reaction of a halogen with a metallic anode employ as cathode a charge transfer complex in which the acceptor component is the halogen and the donor component is an organic compound, typically aromatic or heterocyclic. Preferred anode materials include magnesium, calcium and barium. The maximum current produced by such cells can be increased by surrounding them with an atmosphere containing more than the normal partial pressure of water vapor, or containing vapor of an organic liquid such alcohol, acetone and acetonitrile, having a high dielectric constant. The physical properties of the charge transfer complex is improved by incorporating a polymeric matrix, which may or may not act also as the donor component of the complex.
A source of halogen ions as defined in claim 1, and in which said acceptor component is selected from the group consisting of bromine and iodine, and said metallic anode consists essentially of a substance selected from the group consisting of aluminum, barium, calcium, indium, magnesium and silver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A source of halogen ions as defined in claim 1, and in which said body of charge transfer complex includes a minor proportion of finely divided graphite.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A source of halogen ions as defined in claim 1, and in which said donor component consists essentially of perylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
In an electric cell comprising in combination a metallic anode, a cathode composition comprising a mixture of carbon and an organic compound, the improvement in which the organic compound is a charge transfer complex, which complex is the reaction product of a polynuclear aromatic compound having at least two fused rings as the donor and iodine as acceptor, and wherein the polynuclear aromatic compound of said complex is phenothiazine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A cathode composition especially adapted for use in a cell which comprises a mixture of carbon and a charge transfer complex having a specific resistivity of about 100 ohm-cm., which complex is the reaction product of a polynuclear aromatic compound having at least two fused rings as the donor and an acceptor selected from the group of iodine and bromine.