Purification process for lithium battery electrolytes
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorGerald H. Newman
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Abstract
A method is described for purifying electrolytes used in alkali battery systems. An electrolyte is mixed with or fed through a column containing a mercury amalgam of the alkali of the electrolyte salt. The amalgam reduces the alkali-metal reactive impurities within the electrolyte. The electrolyte is also mixed with an oxidizing agent or fed through a column containing the oxidizing agent in order to oxidize impurities in the electrolyte. Electrolytes so treated will exhibit improved cycling capabilities, because the electrolyte will now be devoid of impurities which respectively can react with the anode and cathode of the battery.
Claims65
A method of purifying an electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one alkali salt solute contained in at least one organic solvent, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing said electrolyte in reactive contact with a mercury amalgam of the alkali of said salt;
- and
- (b) reducing alkali-metal reactive impurities in said electrolyte.
A method of purifying an electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one alkali salt solute contained in at least one organic solvent, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing an oxidizing agent in reactive contact with said electrolyte;
- and
- (b) oxidizing oxidizable impurities in said electrolyte.
A method of purifying an electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one alkali salt solute contained in at least one organic solvent, comprising the steps of:
- (a) adding to said electrolyte a mercury amalgam of the alkali of said salt;
- and
- (b) sufficiently agitating said electrolyte containing said mercury-alkali amalgam to inactivate impurities in said electrolyte.
The method of purifying an electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one alkali salt solute contained in at least one organic solvent, comprising the step of running said electrolyte through a column containing a mercury amalgam of the alkali of said salt in order to reduce alkali-metal reactive impurities in said electrolyte.
The method of purifying an electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one alkali salt solute contained in at least one organic solvent, comprising the step of running said electrolyte through a column containing an oxidizing agent in order to oxidize oxidizable impurities in said electrolyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.