Mixed cathode formulation for achieving end-of-life indication

A cathode means comprising a cathode active mixture, wherein the cathode means comprises:

• (a) a cathode current collector;
• (b) fluorinated carbon present in a first range of about 60% to about 85%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture;
• and
• (c) a second cathode active constituent mixed with the fluorinated carbon in a second range of about 15% to about 40%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture, wherein the second cathode active constituent is selected from the group consisting of bismuth dioxide (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3), bismuth lead oxide (Bi.sub.2 Pb.sub.2 O.sub.5), copper sulfide (CuS), copper chloride (CuCl.sub.2), copper oxide (CuO), iron sulfide (FeS), iron disulfide (FeS.sub.2), molybdenum oxide (MOO.sub.3), nickel sulfide (Ni.sub.3 S.sub.2), silver oxide (Ag.sub.2 O), silver chloride (AgCl), copper vanadium oxide (CuV.sub.2 O.sub.5), copper silver vanadium oxide (Cu.sub.x Ag.sub.y V.sub.2 O.sub.z) and mercury oxide (HgO), and mixtures thereof, and wherein the cathode active mixture is contacted to the cathode current collector.

An electrochemical cell, which comprises:

• (a) an alkali metal anode;
• (b) a cathode operatively associated with the anode, wherein the cathode includes a cathode active mixture comprising:
• (i) fluorinated carbon as a major portion of the cathode active mixture;
• and
• (ii) copper sulfide as a minor portion of the cathode active mixture;
• and
• (c) an electrolyte solution activating the anode and the cathode, wherein the fluorinated carbon provides the electrochemical cell dischargeable at a first voltage plateau and the copper sulfide provides the cell dischargeable at a second voltage plateau, less than the first voltage plateau, as an end-of-life indicator for the cell.

A cathode means comprising a cathode active mixture, wherein the cathode means comprises:

• (a) a cathode current collector;
• (b) fluorinated carbon present in a first range of about 60% to about 85%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture;
• and
• (c) copper sulfide present in a second range of about 15% to about 40%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture, wherein the cathode active mixture is contacted to the cathode current collector.

A method of providing an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a casing;
• b) providing an anode;
• c) providing a cathode current collector;
• d) preparing a cathode active mixture by mixing fluorinated carbon as a major portion of the cathode active mixture with a second cathode active constituent as a minor portion of the cathode active mixture, wherein the second cathode active constituent is selected from the group consisting of bismuth dioxide (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3), bismuth lead oxide (Bi.sub.2 Pb.sub.2 O.sub.5), copper sulfide (CuS), copper chloride (CuCl.sub.2), copper oxide (CuO), iron sulfide (FeS), iron disulfide (FeS.sub.2), molybdenum oxide (MoO.sub.3), nickel sulfide (Ni.sub.3 S.sub.2), silver oxide (Ag.sub.2 O), silver chloride (AgCl), copper vanadium oxide (CuV.sub.2 O.sub.5), copper silver vanadium oxide (Cu.sub.x Ag.sub.y V.sub.2 O.sub.z) and mercury oxide (HgO), and mixtures thereof;
• e) contacting the cathode current collector with the cathode active mixture;
• f) operatively associating the anode with the cathode housed inside the casing with the anode and the cathode connected to respective terminals;
• and
• g) activating the anode and the cathode with an electrolyte filled into the casing, wherein the fluorinated carbon provides the electrochemical cell dischargeable at a first voltage plateau and the second cathode active constituent provides the cell dischargeable at a second voltage plateau, less than the first voltage plateau, as an end-of-life indicator for the cell.

A method of providing a cathode, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a current collector;
• b) preparing a cathode active mixture by mixing fluorinated carbon present in a first range of about 60% to about 85%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture with a second cathode active constituent present in a second range of about 15% to about 40%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture, wherein the second cathode active constituent is selected from the group consisting of bismuth dioxide (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3), bismuth lead oxide (Bi.sub.2 Pb.sub.2 O.sub.5), copper sulfide (CuS), copper chloride (CuCl.sub.2), copper oxide (CuO), iron sulfide (FeS), iron disulfide (FeS.sub.2), molybdenum oxide (MoO.sub.3), nickel sulfide (Ni.sub.3 S.sub.2), silver oxide (Ag.sub.2 O), silver chloride (AgCl), copper vanadium oxide (CuV.sub.2 O.sub.5), copper silver vanadium oxide (Cu.sub.x Ag.sub.y V.sub.2 O.sub.z) and mercury oxide (HgO), and mixtures thereof;
• and
• c) contacting the cathode current collector with the cathode active mixture.

A method of providing an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a casing;
• b) providing an alkali metal anode;
• c) providing a cathode current collector;
• d) preparing a cathode active mixture by mixing fluorinated carbon as a major portion of the cathode active mixture with copper sulfide as a minor portion of the cathode active mixture;
• e) contacting the cathode current collector with the cathode active mixture;
• f) operatively associating the anode with the cathode housed inside the casing with the anode and the cathode connected to respective terminals;
• and
• g) activating the anode and the cathode with an electrolyte filled into the casing, wherein the fluorinated carbon provides the electrochemical cell dischargeable at a first voltage plateau and the copper sulfide provides the cell dischargeable at a second voltage plateau, less than the first voltage plateau, as an end-of-life indicator for the cell.

A method of providing a cathode, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a current collector;
• b) preparing a cathode active mixture by mixing fluorinated carbon present in a first range of about 60% to about 85%, by weight, of the cathode active mixture with copper sulfide present in a second range of about 15%, to about 40%, by weight of the cathode active mixture;
• and
• c) contacting the cathode current collector with the cathode active mixture .