Primary cell has an anode of lithium, a cathode containing dihaloisocyanuric acid, and a nonaqueous electrolyte comprised of a solution of lithium perchlorate in methyl formate. It produces an energy density of 213 watt hrs/lb and can achieve a high current density

Byrne, J. J.

Williams, D. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Lithium P 
in Methyl 
Cathode 
Tape 
June 1970	 Brief 70-10151 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce ness technoIog derived from the Li .S. space program. The are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the ( learinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical 
Information. Springfield, Virginia 2215 1. Requests for niiisidual copies it questions relating to the Tech Brief program ma 
be directed to the Technology Utiliiation Division. NA S\. (ode IT. %k ashinetii. I) C. 20546. 
High Energy Density Electrochemical Cell 
A primary electrochemical cell which produces a 
very high energy density (approximately 213 watt 
hrs/lb) and also has the potential to achieve a high 
current density has been investigated experimentally. 
The cell has an anode of lithium, a cathode containing 
dihaloisocyanuric acid and a nonaqueous electrolyte 
comprised of a solution of lithium perchlorate in 
methyl formate. 
Electrochemical cells having lithium anodes and 
copper fluoride cathodes can achieve experimental 
energy densities of the order of 200 watt hrs/lb and 
a battery has been constructed with this combination 
that produces up to 130 watt hrs/lb (described in 
Tech Brief 69-10131). An advantage of the cell is that 
the cathode system containing dihaloisocyanuric acid 
is easier to handle and much lower in cost than copper 
fluoride. 
Lithium is of great interest as a material for anode 
systems of primary cells because of its inherentl y
 high
electrical potential and its high ampere-hour capacity 
per unit weight or volume. However, the use of lith-
ium as an anode material imposes severe restrictions 
on the selection of materials used in the other essen-
tial components of the cell. For example, primary 
cells employing lithium anodes generally do not 
utilize aqueous electrolyte systems. The inherently 
high reactivity of lithium requires the use of non-
aqueous electrolytes. Considerable care must also 
be taken in the selection of materials for the cathode 
system. Such problems inherent in the use of lithium 
in anode systems of primary cells have made develop-
ment of these cells very difficult. 
The figure shows a cut-away section of an arrange-
ment of elements for this new cell. The recessed body 
is fabricated of a nonconductive material such as 
polypropylene. A copper trim plate is placed in the 
bottom of the body recess and connected to an ex-
ternal lead wire. A platinum cathode current collector 
(LOItII)LlCd O'Q 
This document was prepared under the sponsor c hir cit the National	 ('uosernment JsSLM I CI 	 11 i1bilit. resultin g from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the Untied Sites 	 inicirirition c'ontnc	 I	 dcuiit o 'arrantc that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 sill be Irct , rr)rr prisalc cined rights
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000145 2020-03-17T00:28:24+00:00Z
is placed in contact with the copper plate. A tape 
carrying the cathode depolarizer is fabricated from 
dichloroisocyan uric acid, acetylene black and carbon 
fibers. The tape is placed on top of and in contact 
with the cathode current collector. A porous polypro-
pylene separator is placed on the tape. A solution of 
lithium perchiorate in methyl formate is distributed 
over the top of the separator. A lithium anode ribbon 
is placed on the electrolyte-impregnated separator 
and a lead wire connected to it. 
Notes: 
1. The following documentation may be obtained 
from:
Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific 
and Technical Information 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Single document price $3.00 
(or microfiche $0.65)
2. Technical questions may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B70-10151 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Source: David L. Williams and Joseph J. Byrne of

Monsanto Research Corp. 
under contractto
Lewis Research Center
(LEW-10969)
. 
Reference: 
NASA-CR-90547 (N68-11794), Research 
and Development of the Dry Tape Battery 
Concept
. 
. 
Brief 70-10151	 Category 01


High energy density electrochemical cell

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