Sulfide-containing cathode for nonaqueous cells.

0001The invention relates to a suit ice-containing cathode for nonaqueous cells.

0002The development of high energy battery systems requires the compatibility of an electrolyte possessing desirable electrochemical properties with highly reactive anode materials, such as lithium, sodium, and the like, and the efficient use of high energy density cathode materials. The use of aqueous electrolytes is precluded in these systems since the anode materials are sufficiently active to react with water chemically.

0003It has, therefore, been necessary in order to realize the high energy density obtainable through the use of these highly reactive anodes and high energy density cathodes to turn to the investigation of nonaqueous electrolyte systems and more particularly to nonaqueous organic electrolyte systems. A large number of nonaqueous organic electrolyte solutions is taught in the art as being suitable for a wide variety of cell systems.

0004Although a large number of known solid cathode materials is suitable for nonaqueous cell systems, there is always a need for new solid cathode materials to help fill the demand created by the large number of battery-powered devices being marketed. For example, the toy industry has recently embarked upon a programme of marketing a multiplicity of computerized games, some of which are educational in nature. Many of these devices require portable power sources and, therefore, any new cell system would be welcomed.

0005It is an object of the present invention to provide new solid cathode materials for nonaqueous cell systems.

0006It is another object of the present invention to provide a new nonaqueous cell system employing new solid cathode materials of mixed sulfides.

0007The invention is directed to a new solid cathode material for nonaqueous cell systems which comprises a sulfide-containing cathode having the formula: <chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0001.tif" /></chemistry><ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>where M is one or more mono- or divalent metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Sn, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cd, Hg, Cu and Ag;</li><li>M' is at least one material selected from the group consisting of trivalent arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi) with the proviso that when MM' is a binary metal combination then when M' is Sb, M cannot be Pb or Sn; and when M' is Bi, M cannot be Fe, Sn or Pb;</li><li>S is sulfur (as sulfide); and</li><li>a, b and c are each integers with each being equal to or greater than 1 with the proviso that when M is monovalent, c = <maths id="math0001"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0002.tif" /></maths> and when M is divalent, c = <maths id="math0002"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0003.tif" /></maths>.</li></ul>

0008Examples of preferred cathodes of.this invention are AgBiS₂, Co₂Bi₂S₅, FeSb₂S₄and CoBi₂S₄. The cathode materials CoBi₂S₄ and Co2Bi2S5 can generally be prepared by.heating elemental bismuth, cobalt and sulfur at about 550°C for about 1.5 hours. The cathode material AgBiS₂ can generally be prepared by mixing elemental bismuth, silver and sulfur and then fusing the mixture at about 750°C for about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

0009FeSb₂s₄ can be obtained as the mineral berthierite.

0010If desired, the active cathode material can be mixed with a binder, a conductive agent and the like. Suitable binders would include polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, a polysulfone, polypropylene and a polyamide, and conductive agents would include graphite, carbon and metal powders.

0011Other suitable cathodes for this invention would include the following: <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0004.tif" /></tables>

0012* These materials apparently contain Cu in a mixed valence state.

0013Useful highly active metal anode materials include aluminium, the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and alloys of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals with each other and other metals. The term "alloy" as used herein and in the appended claims is intended to include mixtures, solid solutions, such as lithium-magnesium, and intermetallic compounds, such as lithium mono- aluminide.

0014The preferred anode materials are lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium and alloys thereof.

0015Useful organic solvents employed alone or mixed with'one or more other solvents for use in this invention include the following classes of compounds: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>Alkylene nitriles: e.g., crotonitrile (liquid range -51.1°C. to 120°C)</li><li>Trialkyl borates: e.g., trimethyl borate, (CH₃0)₃B (liquid range -29.3 to 67°C)</li><li>Tetraalkyl silicates: e.g., tetramethyl silicate, (^CH₃0)₄Si (boiling point 121°C)</li><li>Nitroalkanes: e.g., nitromethane, CH₃N0₂ (liquid range -17 to 100.8°C)</li><li>Alkylnitriles: e.g. acetonitrile, CH₃CN (liquid range -45 to 81.6°C)</li><li>Dialkylamides: e.g. dimethylformamide, HCON(CH₃)₂ (liquid range -60.48 to 149°C)</li><li>Lactams: e.g., N-methylpyrrolidone, <chemistry id="chem0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0005.tif" /></chemistry>(liquid range -16 to 202°C)</li></ul><ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li>Tetraalkylureas: e.g., tetramethylurea, (^CH₃)₂N-CO-N(CH₃)₂ (liquid range -1.2 to 166°C)</li><li>Monocarboxylic acid esters: e.g., ethyl acetate (liquid range -83.6 to 77.06°C)</li></ul><ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li>Orthoesters: e.g., trimethylorthoformate, HC(OCH₃)₃ (boiling point 103°C)</li><li>Lactones: e.g. &amp;-(gamma)butyrolactone, <chemistry id="chem0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0006.tif" /></chemistry>(liquid range -42</li><li>Dialkyl carbonates: e. OC(OCH₃)₂ (liquid</li><li>Alkylene carbonates: e to 206°C) g. dimethyl carbonate, range 2 to 90°C) ..g., propylene carbonate, <chemistry id="chem0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0007.tif" /></chemistry>(liquid range -48 to 242°C)</li><li>Monoethers: e.g., diethyl ether (liquid range -116 to 34.5°C)</li><li>Polyethers: e.g. 1,1- and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (liquid ranges -113.2 to 64.5°C and -58 to 83°C, respectively)</li><li>Cyclic ethers: e.g., tetrahydrofuran (liquid range -65 to 67°C.); 1,3-dioxolane (liquid range -95 to 78°C)</li><li>Nitroaromatics: e.g., nitrobenzene (liquid range 5.7 to 210.8°C)</li><li>Aromatic carboxylic acid halides: e.g. benzoyl chloride (liquid range 0 to 197°C; benzoyl bromide (liquid range -24 to 2l8°C)</li><li>Aromatic sulfonic acid halides: e.g., benzene sulfonyl chloride (liquid range 14.5 to 251°C)</li><li>Aromatic phosphonic acid dihalides: e.g., benzene phosphonyl dichloride (boiling point 258°C)</li><li>Aromatic thiophosphonic acid dihalides: e.g., benzene thiophosphonyl dichloride (boiling point 124°C at 5mm.)</li><li>Cyclic sulfones: e.g. sulfolane, <chemistry id="chem0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0008.tif" /></chemistry>(melting point 22°C); 3-methylsulfolane (melting point -1°C)</li><li>Alkyl sulfonic acid halides: e.g. methanesulfonyl chloride (boiling point 161°C)</li><li>Alkyl carboxylic acid halides: e.g., acetyl chloride (liquid range -112 to 50.9°C); acetyl bromide (liquid range -96 to 76°C); propionyl chloride (liquid range -94 to 80°C)</li><li>Saturated heterocyclics: e.g. tetrahydrothiophene (liquid range -96 to 121°C; 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone (melting point 15.9°C)</li><li>Dialkyl sulfamic acid halides: e.g. dimethyl sulfamyl chloride (boiling point 80°C at 16mm)</li><li>Alkyl halosulfonates: e.g., ethyl chlorosulfonate (boiling point 151°C)</li></ul>

0016Unsaturated heterocyclic carboxylic acid halides: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none"><li>e.g. 2-furoyl chloride (liquid range -2 to 173°C) Five-membered unsaturated heterocyclics: e.g.,</li><li>3,5-dimethylisoxazole (boiling point 140°C);</li><li>1-methylpyrrole (boiling point 114°C);</li><li>2,4-dimethylthiazole (boiling point 144°C);</li><li>furan (liquid range -85.65 to 31.36°C)</li></ul>

0017Esters and/or;.halides of dibasic carboxylic acids: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none"><li>e.g. ethyl oxalyl chloride (boiling point 135°C) Mixed alkyl sulfonic acid halides and carboxylic acid</li><li>halides: e.g., chlorosulfonyl acetyl chloride (boiling point 98°C at 10 mm)</li><li>Dialkyl sulfoxides: e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (liquid range 18.4 to 189°C)</li><li>Dialkyl sulfates: e.g., dimethylsulfate (liquid range -31.75 to 188.5°C)</li><li>Dialkyl sulfites: e.g., dimethylsulfite (boiling point 126°C)</li><li>Alkylene sulfites: e.g., ethylene glycol sulfite (liquid range -11 to 173°C)</li><li>Halogenated alkanes: e.g, methylene chloride (liquid range -95 to 40°C; 1,3-dichloropropane</li><li>(liquid range -99.5 to 120.4°C)</li></ul>

0018The preferred solvents are sulfolane; tetrahydrofuran; methyl-substituted tetrahydrofuran; 1,3-dioxolane; 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone; propylene carbonate; y-butyrolactone; ethylene glycol sulfite; dimethylsulfite; dimethyl sulfoxide; and 1,1- and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. Of the preferred solvents, the best are sulfolane; 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone; propylene carbonate 1,1- and 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and 1,3-dioxolane because they appear more chemically inert to battery components and have wide liquid ranges, and especially because they permit highly efficient utilization of the cathode materials.

0019The best electrolyte for use in this invention is a 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone-based electrolyte. Liquid organic 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone material, (3Me20x) <chemistry id="chem0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0094733A2_D0009.tif" /></chemistry>is an excellent nonaqueous solvent because of its high dielectric constant, chemical inertness to battery components, wide liquid range and low toxicity.

0020However, it has been found that when metal salts are dissolved in liquid 3Me20x for the purpose of improving the conductivity of 3Me20x, the viscosity of the solution may be too high for its efficient use as an electrolyte for some nonaqueous cell applications other than those requiring very low current drains. Thus, in some applications in accordance with this invention, the addition of a low viscosity cosolvent would be desirable if 3Me20x is to be used as an electrolyte for nonaqueous cells which can operate or perform at a high energy density level.

0021The low viscosity cosolvents which can be used along with 3Me20x include tetrahydrofuran (THF), methyl-substituted tetrahydrofuran (Met-THF) dioxolane (DIOX), dimethoxyethane (DME), dimethyl isoxazole (DMI), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethylene glycol sulfite (EGS), dioxane, dimethyl sulfite (DMS) or the like. Dimethoxyethane (DME) and dioxolane (DIOX) are preferred cosolvents because of their compatibility with metal salts dissolved in liquid 3Me20x and their chemical inertness to cell components. Specifically, the total amount of the low viscosity cosolvent added could be between about 20% and about 80% based on total solvent volume, i.e., exclusive of solute, so as to lower the viscosity to a level suitable for use in a high drain cell.

0022The ionizing solute for use in the invention may be simple or double salt or mixtures thereof, for example, LiCF₃SO₃, LiBF₄ and LiCI04 which will produce an ionically conductive solution when dissolved in one or more solvents. Preferred solutes are complexes of inorganic or organic Lewis acids and inorganic ionizable salts. The only requirements for utility are that the salts, whether simple or complex, be compatible with the solvent or solvents being employed-and that they yield a solution which is sufficiently ionically conductive. According to the Lewis or electronic concept of acids and bases, many substances which contain no active hydrogen can act as acids or acceptors of electron doublets. The basic concept is set forth in the chemical literature (Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol 226 - July/December 1938, pages 293-313 by G.N.Lewis).

0023A suggested reaction mechanism for the manner in which these complexes function in a solvent is described in detail in U.S. Patent No.3,542,602 wherein it is suggested that the complex or double salt formed between the Lewis acid and the ionizable salt yields an entity which is more stable than either of the components alone.

0024Typical Lewis acids suitable for use in the present invention include aluminium fluoride, aluminium bromide, aluminium chloride, antimony pentachloride, zirconium tetrachloride, phosphorus pentachloride, boron fluoride, boron chloride and boron bromide.

0025Ionizable salts useful in combination with the Lewis acids include lithium fluoride, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium sulfide, sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, potassium fluoride, potassium chloride and potassium bromide.

0026It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the double salts formed by a Lewis acid and an inorganic ionizable salt may be used as such or the individual components may be added to the solvent separately to form the double salt or the resulting ions in situ. One such double salt, for example, is that formed by the combination of aluminium chloride and lithium chloride to yield lithium aluminium tetrachloride.

0027The invention will now be further-described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none"><li>Figure 1 contains data showing the discharge characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in Example I.</li><li>Figure 2 contains data showing the discharge -characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in Example II.</li><li>Figure 3 contains data showing the discharge characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in Example III.</li><li>Figure 4 contains data showing the discharge characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in Example IV.</li><li>Figure 5 contains data showing the discharge characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in Example V.</li><li>Figure 6 contains data showing the discharge characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in Example VI.</li><li>Figure 7 contains data showing the discharge characteristics of the cell disclosed and described in example VII.</li><li>The drawings will be referred to in connection with the following Examples which further illustrate the invention.</li></ul>

EXAMPLE I

0028Experimental flooded (i.e. excess electrolyte) cells were constructed utilizing a stainless steel base having therein a shallow depression into which the cell contents were placed and over which a stainless steel cap was placed to close the cell. The contents of each sample cell consisted of a 0.591 inch diameter lithium disc (0.114 g) having a total thickness of 0.050 inch, about 1.5 ml of an electrolyte consisting of about 40 vol.% dioxolane, about 30 vol.% dimethoxyethane (DME), about 30 vol.% 3Me20X plus about 0.1% dimethylisoxazole (DMI) and containing 1 M LiCF₃SO₃, a 0.875 inch diameter porous nonwoven polypropylene separator (0.01 inch thick) which absorbed some of the electrolyte and 0.385 gram of a cathode mix compressed to form a cathode. The-cathode mix consisted of 85% CoBi₂S₄, 10% acetylene black and 5% polytetrafluoroethylene. Each cell was discharged across a 15 K-ohm load and the voltage observed with time is shown as the curve in Figure 1_. In addition, at various time periods, the cell was discharged across a superimposed lK-ohm load (pulse discharge) for about 2 seconds, and the average voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "+" in Figure 1. At 2-second random pulsing across a superimposed 300-ohm load, the average voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "o" in Figure 1.

EXAMPLE II

0029A 0.455 inch high and 0.165 inch thick button cell was made as in Example I using the same components except in the following amounts: <ul id="ul0008" list-style="none"><li>0.037 g lithium; 0.43 g cathode mix with 0.367 g active material and 0.14 ml of the electrolyte. The cell was tested in the same manner and the voltages observed on the constant discharge and pulse discharge tests are shown in Figure 2. Again the voltages on 2-second pulse discharge across a superimposed lK-ohm load are identified as "+", while the voltages on 2-second pulse discharge across the superimposed 300- ohm load are identified as "o".</li></ul>

EXAMPLE III

0030A flat-type cell was constructed as in Example I using the same components except that the'.active cathode material employed was Co₂Bi₂S₅. Specifically, the cell comprised 0.092 g lithium, 0.499 g cathode mix with 0.424 g of active material and 1.5 ml of the electrolyte. The cell was discharged across a 15K-ohm load and the voltage observed with time is shown as the curve in Figure 3. In addition, at various time periods, the cell was discharged across a superimposed lK-ohm load or a superimposed 300-ohm load (pulse discharge) for a bout 2 seconds and the voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "+" or "o", respectively, in Figure 3.

EXAMPLE IV

0031A button cell was constructed as in Example II using the same components except that the active cathode material employed was Co2Bi2S5. Specifically, the cell comprised 0.037 g of lithium, 0.434 g of cathode mix with 0.369 g of active material and 0.14 ml of the electrolyte. The button cell was discharged across a 15K-ohm load and the voltage observed with time is shown as the curve in Figure 4. In addition, at various time periods, the cell was discharged across a superimposed 1K-ohm load or a superimposed 300-ohm (pulse discharge) for about 2 seconds, and the voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "+" or "o", respectively, in Figure 4.

EXAMPLE V

0032A button cell was constructed as in Example IV using the same components. At 35°C the button cell was discharged across a 15K-ohm load and the voltage observed with time is shown as the curve in Figure 5.

0033In addition, at various time periods, the cell was discharged across a superimposed lK-ohm load or a superimposed 300-ohm load (pulse discharge) for about 2 seconds, and the voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "+" or "o", respectively, in Figure 5.

EXAMPLE VI

0034A flat-type cell was constructed as in Example I using the same components except the active cathode material employed was AgBiS₂. Specifically, the cell comprised 0.092 g of lithium, 0.454 g of cathode mix with 0.386 g of active material and 1.5 ml of the electrolyte. The cell was discharged across a 15K-ohm load and the voltage observed with time is shown as the curve in Figure 6. In addition, at various time periods, the cell was discharged across a superimposed lK-ohm load or a superimposed 300-ohm load (pulse discharge) for about 2 seconds and the voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "+" or "o", respectively, in Figure 6.

EXAMPLE VII

0035A flat-type experimental cell was assembled using a nickle container within which the internal cell diameter was 1 cm and the total internal cell height was 0.110 inch (0.₀₆₀ in. thick cathode, 0.010 in.thick separator, 0.030 in. thick lithium anode and a 0.010 in. thick contact plate on top of the lithium). The cell contained 0.319 g lithium, 0.407 g of cathode mix (75 wt.% FeSb₂S₄, 13.3% graphite, 2.7% acetylene black and 9% polytetrafluoroethylene binder), and 1.3 ml of the electrolyte of Example I. The electrode interfacial area was 0.785 cm². The cell was discharged across a lOK-ohm load and the voltage observed with time is shown in Figure 7. In addition, at various time periods, the cell was discharged across a superimposed 700-ohm load or a superimposed 300-ohm load (pulse discharge) for about 2 seconds and the voltages observed are shown as the points identified as "+" or "o", respectively, in Figure 7. It should be noted that the average discharge current density on the pulse loads was 2.7 mA/cm 2 for the 700-ohm load and 6.4 mA/cm 2 for the 300-ohm load.

0036While the present invention has been described with reference to many particular details thereof, it is not intended that these details shall be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.