Ion exchange membranes and organic electrolyte cells employing same

In an organic electrolyte battery having a light metal anode, a cathode selected from the group consisting of metal halides and sulfur, and an organic electrolyte selected from the group consisting of gamma-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylcarbonate, acetonitrile, and the mixtures thereof, and containing an electrolyte salt dissolved therein, a microporous permselective barrier means therefor, separating said cathode and said electrolyte, and adapted to prevent diffusion of electrolytic anions, said barrier means comprising an ion-exchange membrane including a microporous substrate and a linear polyelectrolyte without cross-linking, said polyelectrolyte comprising a polymer insoluble in said organic solvent and having attached functional groups, said polyelectrolyte selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and K salts of polystyrene sulfonate.

An organic electrolyte cell comprising a light metal anode;

• an organic electrolyte selected from the group consisting of gamma-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylcarbonate, acetonitrile, and the mixtures thereof;
• a cathode, the active material of which produces in said electrolyte anions whose diffusion causes self-discharge, and a microporous permselective barrier means separating said cathode and said electrolyte and adapted to prevent said diffusion, said barrier means comprising an ion exchange membrane consisting of a microporous substrate and a linear polyelectrolyte without cross-linking, said linear polyelectrolyte consisting of a water-soluble polymer, insoluble in the organic solvent of said electrolyte and having attached functional groups, said polyelectrolyte selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and K polyacrylates.

An organic electrolyte cell comprising a light metal anode;

• an organic electrolyte selected from the group consisting of gamma-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylcarbonate, acetonitrile, and the mixtures thereof;
• a cathode the active material of which produces in said electrolyte anions whose diffusion causes self-discharge, and a microporous permselective barrier means separating said cathode and said electrolyte and adapted to prevent said diffusion, said barrier means comprising an ion exchange membrane consisting of a microporous substrate and a linear polyelectrolyte wtihout cross-linking, said linear polyelectrolyte consisting of a water-soluble polymer, insoluble in the organic solvent of said electrolyte and having attached functional groups, said polyelectrolyte selected from the group consisting of the Li, Na, and K salts of polystyrene sulfonate.