Prevention of polymerization in Li/MnO2 organic electrolyte electrochemical systems

Abstract

This invention provides a number of phosphorous and arsenic reducing agents to eliminate gas formation and polymerization of Li/MnO2 and other lithium cells caused by the formation of dialcohol. The phosphorous reducing agents when added to the Li/MnO2 and other lithium battery electrolytes cause the phosphorous compound and alcohol to react and produce ether and orthophosphorous acid, which prevents gas formation and the polymerization of Li/MnO2 cells caused by the formation of dialcohol. The preferred reducing agent is phosphoric acid tri-ester. The arsenic reducing agents when added to the Li/MnO2 and other lithium battery electrolytes cause the arsenic compound and alcohol to react and produce ether and orthoarsenic acid, which also prevents gas formation and the polymerization of Li/MnO2 cells caused by the formation of dialcohol. Similar reactions and effects are also achieved with numerous other useful phosphorous and arsenic compounds that react with alcohol to produce ether and related acid compounds.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.