# US 2018/0323477 A1 · Molten Alkali Metal-Aluminum Secondary Battery

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- Number: US 2018/0323477 A1
- Document ID: US20180323477A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/030,328
- Filed: 2018-07-09
- Published: 2018-11-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-11
- Assignees: Dynantis Corporation
- Applicants: Dynantis Corp
- Inventors: Mi ZHOU; Anthony F. SAMMELLS
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180323477A1

## CPC

- H01M 10/399: {Cells with molten salts}
- H01M 4/134: Electrodes based on metals, Si or alloys
- H01M 4/368: {Liquid depolarisers}
- H01M 4/38: of elements or alloys
- H01M 4/381: {Alkaline or alkaline earth metals elements (H01M4/40 takes precedence)}
- H01M 4/5825: {Oxygenated metallic salts or polyanionic structures, e.g. borates, phosphates, silicates, olivines}
- H01M 4/661: {Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings (H01M4/669 take precedence)}
- H01M 4/80: Porous plates, e.g. sintered carriers
- H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially
- H01M 10/44: Methods for charging or discharging (circuits for charging H02J7/00)
- H01M 2300/0048: Molten electrolytes used at high temperature
- H01M 2300/0074: Ion conductive at high temperature
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

An aluminum-based cathode (positive electrode) for storage cells formed by deposition of a layer of aluminum metal on a porous conductive substrate. Storage cells and batteries having the cathode. The porous conducting substrate can be metal, conductive carbon or a refractory material, such as a metal boride or metal carbide. The aluminum-deposited porous substrate is in electrical contact with a cathode current collector and a suitable liquid catholyte. The cathode is, for example, combined with a molten alkali metal anode to form a storage cell. The alkali metal and the catholyte are molten or liquid at operating temperatures of the cell. Methods of storing energy and generating energy using cell having the aluminum-based cathode are provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A storage cell comprising:
a negative electrode comprising liquid alkali metal;
a positive electrode having a porous conductive substrate upon which aluminum is deposited when the cell is discharged;
a liquid catholyte comprising alkai metal ions and aluminum ions during operation; and
a solid, alkali metal-conducting electrolyte separation the negative electrode and the liquid catholyte;
wherein the liquid catholyte permeates the porous conductive substrate of the positive electrode and wherein the electroactive material of the positive electrode comprises aluminum

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the catholyte is a liquid alkali metal haloaluminate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte is beta″ (double prime) alumina.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the porous conductive substrate is a porous metal substrate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the porous conductive substrate is a porous nickel substrate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the liquid electrolyte is an alkali metal haloaluminate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the liquid alkali metal is liquid sodium.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The storage cell of claim 7, wherein the liquid catholyte is a sodium haloaluminate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The storage cell of claim 7, wherein the liquid catholyte is sodium chloroaluminate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The storage cell of claim 7, wherein the liquid catholyte is an ionic liquid.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the electroactive material of the positive electrode comprises aluminum metal and aluminum ion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1, wherein the liquid catholyte is an ionic liquid containing AlCl3.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The storage cell of claim 1 operated at a temperature between 150 to 300° C.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A battery comprising a plurality of cells of claim 1.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A method of storing electrical energy comprising forming one or more cell of of claim 1 and charging the one or more cells by application of a voltage to the one or more cells to store electrical energy.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more cells are operated at a temperature between 150 to 300° C.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

A method for generating energy comprising forming one or more cell of claim 1 and discharging the one or more cells to generate electrical energy.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 further comprising a step of storing electrical energy, wherein the one or more cells is rechargeable and wherein after discharging the one or more cells are recharged by application of a voltage to the cell.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more cells are operated at a temperature between 150 to 300° C.