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US4011372A
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Method of preparing a negative electrode including lithium alloy for use within a secondary electrochemical cell
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1975-12-09
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1995-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A negative electrode that includes a lithium alloy as active material is prepared by briefly submerging a porous, electrically conductive substrate within a melt of the alloy. Prior to solidification, excess melt can be removed by vibrating or otherwise manipulating the filled substrate to expose interstitial surfaces. Electrodes of such as solid lithium-aluminum filled within a substrate of metal foam are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Zygmunt Tomczuk
- 👤 Theodore W. Olszanski
- 👤 James E. Battles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/13; H01M10/00; H01M10/36; H01M10/39; H01M4/36; H01M4/38; H01M4/40; H01M4/64; H01M4/70; H01M4/72; H01M4/74; H01M4/742; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/027; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M4/405; H01M4/46; H01M4/463; H01M4/66; H01M4/661; H01M4/668; H01M4/80; H01M4/808; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12014; Y10T428/1216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of preparing an electrode including a lithium alloy as active material for use as a negative electrode within a secondary electrochemical cell, said cell also including a positive electrode and a molten salt electrolyte, said method comprising preparing a melt of lithium alloy selected from the group of lithium-aluminum, lithium-silicon and lithium-magnesium; immersing a porous substrate of electrically conducting metal within said melt; removing said substrate from said melt to completely solidify adherent lithium alloy within at least a portion of the void volume of said substrate; and assembling said substrating with completely solidified lithium alloy within said electrochemical cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of preparing an electrode including a lithium alloy as active material for use as a negative electrode within a secondary electrochemical cell, said cell also including a positive electrode and a molten salt electrolyte, said method comprising preparing a melt of lithium alloy selected from the group of lithium-aluminum, lithium-silicon and lithium-magnesium; immersing a porous substrate of electrically conducting metal within said melt; removing said substrate from said melt to completely solidify adherent lithium alloy within at least a portion of the void volume of said substrate; and assembling said substrating with completely solidified lithium alloy within said electrochemical cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said porous substrate is dipped within a melt of lithium-aluminum alloy for about 1.0 to 15 seconds and subsequently removed for cooling to below the solidus temperature of said alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said porous substrate is removed from said melt and shaken to remove excess alloy prior to solidification.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said melt comprises about 6 to 60 atom percent lithium and about 94 to 40 atom percent aluminum and is at about 10° to 50° C. above liquidus temperature while said substrate is submerged therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said porous substrate includes apertures and interstices of about 600 to 800 micrometers opening and a porosity of about 90 to 99 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
An electrode prepared by the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
An improved negative electrode within a secondary electrochemical cell also including a positive electrode and a molten salt electrolyte, said negative electrode comprising a completely solid lithium alloy of lithium and another element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, and magnesium and a porous substrate of electrically conductive metal, said substrate having at least a portion of its void volume filled with adherent, solidified melt of said lithium alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
An improved negative electrode within a secondary electrochemical cell also including a positive electrode and a molten salt electrolyte, said negative electrode comprising a completely solid lithium alloy of lithium and another element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, and magnesium and a porous substrate of electrically conductive metal, said substrate having at least a portion of its void volume filled with adherent, solidified melt of said lithium alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The negative electrode of claim 7 wherein said alloy comprises lithium and aluminum with 6 to 60 atom percent lithium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The negative electrode of claim 7 wherein said metal substrate includes a porosity of 90 to 99% void volume and includes a sufficient filling or lithium alloy to provide an electrode porosity of about 10 to 70%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The negative electrode of claim 7 wherein substantially all of said lithium alloy within said electrode is contained within the void volume of said substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3881951A
Cited
US3933520A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |