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US 2024/0186497 A1Published application
Aluminum-chalcogen batteries with alkali halide molten salt electrolytes
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsDonald R. Sadoway, Quanquan Pang, Jiashen Meng, Ji Zhao
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Abstract
A rechargeable, self-heating aluminum-chalcogen battery is provided, with an aluminum or aluminum alloy negative electrode, a positive electrode of elemental chalcogen, and a mixture of chloride salts providing a molten salt electrolyte. The predominant chloride salt in the electrolyte is AlCh. Additional chloride salts are chosen from alkali metal chlorides. The cell operates at a modestly elevated temperatures, ranging from 90° C. to 250° C.
Claims19
A rechargeable aluminum-chalcogen battery comprising:
- an aluminum or aluminum alloy negative electrode;
- a positive electrode comprising a sulfur composite comprising elemental sulfur having an oxidation state of zero;
- an electrolyte comprising a salt mixture of AlCl3 and MCl, wherein MCl is an alkali chloride, and M is selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium and combinations thereof, the electrolyte configured to form a molten salt that physically contacts and wets the positive electrode and the negative electrode during operation of the aluminum-chalcogen battery;
- a negative current collector in electrical contact with the negative electrode;
- and
- a positive current collector in electrical contact with the positive electrode;
- wherein:
- the sulfur composite is formed by grinding and heat soaking a mixture of sulfur and at least one of graphene or carbon black;
- the sulfur is present in the sulfur composite at an areal loading of about 1.5 mg cm−2 to about 2.0 mg cm−2;
- the molar concentration of AlCl3 in the salt mixture is at least 50%;
- and
- the melting temperature of the salt mixture is between 70° C. and 140° C.
9 more elements
A method for generating electric current comprising:
- providing a rechargeable aluminum-chalcogen battery, wherein the battery comprises:
- an aluminum or aluminum alloy negative electrode;
- a positive electrode comprising elemental chalcogen having an oxidation state of zero, selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and combinations thereof;
- an electrolyte comprising a salt mixture of AlCl3 and MCl, wherein MCl is an alkali chloride, and M is selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium and combinations thereof, the electrolyte configured to form a molten salt that physically contacts and wets the positive electrode and the negative electrode during operation of the aluminum-chalcogen battery;
- a negative current collector in electrical contact with the negative electrode;
- and
- a positive current collector in electrical contact with the positive electrode;
- wherein the molar concentration of AlCl3 in the eutectic mixture is at least 50%, and wherein the melting temperature of the salt mixture is between 70° C. and 140° C.;
- connecting the positive current collector and the negative current collector to an external circuit;
- applying an external heat source to melt a portion of the electrolyte;
- deactivating the external heat source;
- discharging the aluminum-chalcogen battery through the external circuit;
- and
- allowing Joule heating generated during discharging to melt the remaining electrolyte and to maintain the electrolyte in a molten state without further external heating.
11 more elements
A rechargeable aluminum-chalcogen battery comprising:
- a negative electrode in the solid state comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy;
- a positive electrode comprising:
- elemental chalcogen in a liquid state having an oxidation state of zero, selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and combinations thereof;
- and
- a conductive matrix comprising at least one of carbon, molybdenum, tungsten, or titanium;
- an electrolyte disposed on the positive electrode and in electrical contact with the negative electrode, the electrolyte comprising a salt mixture of AlCl3 and MCl in the liquid state having a density less than the elemental chalcogen, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium and combinations thereof;
- a negative current collector in electrical contact with the negative electrode;
- a positive current collector configured to hold the positive electrode and the electrolyte in the liquid state, the positive current collector in electrical contact with the positive electrode.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.