Abstract: Provided is a novel electrode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The composition includes a polymeric binder material and a doped tungsten (IV) oxide active material. The active material includes a tungsten (IV) oxide host material and a metal dopant in the host material effective to increase the charge-discharge capacity per unit weight of the active material when used in an electrochemical cell. Also provided is a method for forming the electrode composition and an electrochemical cell comprising the composition. The invention results in an electrochemical cell having improved charge-discharge capacity per unit weight of the electrode active material, and is additionally chemically and electrochemically stable.

Abstract: Provided is a novel electrode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The composition includes a polymeric binder material and a doped tungsten (IV) oxide active material. The active material includes a tungsten (IV) oxide host material and a metal dopant in the host material effective to increase the charge-discharge capacity per unit weight of the active material when used in an electrochemical cell. Also provided is a method for forming the electrode composition and an electrochemical cell comprising the composition. The invention results in an electrochemical cell having improved charge-discharge capacity per unit weight of the electrode active material, and is additionally chemically and electrochemically stable.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon materials for use as electrodes in rechargeable batteries. Electrodes prepared from these carbon materials exhibit intercalation efficiencies of .apprxeq.80% for lithium, low irreversible loss of lithium, long cycle life, are capable of sustaining a high rates of discharge and are cheap and easy to manufacture. The method comprises a novel two-step stabilization process in which polymeric precursor materials are stabilized by first heating in an inert atmosphere and subsequently heating in air. During the stabilization process, the polymeric precursor material can be agitated to reduce particle fusion and promote mass transfer of oxygen and water vapor. The stabilized, polymeric precursor materials can then be converted to a synthetic carbon, suitable for fabricating electrodes for use in rechargeable batteries, by heating to a high temperature in a flowing inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of making chemically and electrochemically stable oxides or other chalcogenides for use as cathodes for power source applications, and of making batteries comprising such materials.

Abstract: A secondary battery having a rechargeable lithium-containing anode, a cathode, and a separator positioned between the cathode and anode with an organic electrolyte solution absorbed therein is provided. The anode comprises three-dimensional microporous carbon structures synthesized by the controlled pyrolysis of gel derived polymer foam precursors. The gradual heating process in the carbonization of pretreated foam precursors stabilizes the pore structures in the pretreated foam.

Abstract: Electrolyte salts for power sources comprising salts of phenyl polysulfonic acids and phenyl polyphosphonic acids. The preferred salts are alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, most preferably lithium salts.

Abstract: Electrolytes for power sources, particularly alkaline and acidic power sources, comprising benzene polysulfonic acids and benzene polyphosphonic acids or salts of such acids.

Abstract: Exothermic reactions at elevated temperatures in high rate non-aqueous active metal electrochemical cells which include an alkali metal anode, an electrolyte system including an electrolyte salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent depolarizer, by the provision of a reaction limiting positive electrode material which includes an amount of carbon black, an amount of binder and an amount of ceramic material, said ceramic material being substantially unreactive with other cell species below a predetermined temperature but capable of reacting to form substantially inactive products with the metal of the anode material at or above the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Improved catalysts for the reduction of oxyhalide depolarizers such as SOCl.sub.2 and SO.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 in active-metal non-aqueous cells are provided which are easier to prepare and less expensive than phthalocyanine complexes and which are generally more stable in the cell environment. These catalysts include certain macrocyclic complexes of Schiff's base prepared by the reaction of an aldehyde with a primary diamine. The preferred embodiments include mononuclear metal macrocyclic complexes made from salicylaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine and binuclear metal macrocyclic complexes of 5-methyl isophthalaldehyde and 1,3-diaminopropane.

Abstract: Anode passivation and premature cell failure associated with anode deterioration due to corrosion has been greatly reduced in Li/SOCl.sub.2 cells by the addition of small amounts of tetracarboxylated metal macrocyclic complexes such as cobalt tetracarboxylated phenylporphyrin (CoTCPP) or cobalt tetracarboxylated phthalocyanine (CoTCPC) to the electrolyte.

Abstract: Certain solid organic depolarizers are disclosed for use in non-aqueous active metal cells which allow such cells to achieve both high voltage and high capacity with greater enhanced stability. The depolarizers include halogen adducts of triethylenediamine, also known as 1,4 diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane such as N,N'-tetrachloro triethylenediamine.

Abstract: A class of improved catalysts for use in high-rate active-metal non-aqueous cells which show excellent performance enhancing properties are disclosed. These comprise a class of metal porphyrin complexes which catalyze the electrochemical reduction of oxyhalides. The preferred porphyrin compounds include tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP) and tetramethoxyphenyl porphyrin (TMPP). The preferred complexed metals are cobalt and iron yielding (CoTPP), (FeTPP), CoTMPP) and (FeTMPP), respectively. A polymeric form of TPP complexed with cobalt (CoTPP)n or iron (FeTPP)n is extremely insoluble in the typical Li/SOCl.sub.2 cell electrolyte and may be used very successfully in active cell configurations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Problems associated with voltage reversal hazards in high energy density non-aqueous electrochemical cells are prevented for all except extremely high discharge rates by the provision of a safety separator which is sufficiently porous to allow normal cell operation in the forward direction but which prevents voltage reversal in all but the most extreme cases. The separator may take the form of a thin sheet of ceramic material which need not contact either the anode or the cathode but which forms an ion-permeable mechanical barrier separating the electrodes while allowing normal cell operation.

Abstract: An organic cathode depolarizer for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell system having an active metal anode, a cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte is disclosed which is represented by the formula ##STR1## where R is a group selected from those consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl or phenoxy groups and where X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are halogens.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a lithium anode, an electrolyte solution comprising an electrolyte salt dissolved in sulfuryl chloride and a cathode doped with a macrocyclic complex of a transition metal such as CoPc, FePc, or (CoPc).sub.n.