The United States’ demand for battery and fuel cell
materials is projected to grow 5.9 percent annually through 2009 rising to $3.4
billion in sales. Healthy gains in U.S. battery production, due to the growing
popularity of high-drain electronic products such as digital cameras and
wireless phones, will result in the increased use of high-value materials needed
to boost battery performance. Existing technologies in the market use LiPF6 in
carbonate solvents. The major problems associated with existing technologies are
the high melting point (350 C) and low window of electrochemical stability (~
4.7 V).
To overcome these problems, researchers at ASU have
developed a new chemical compound that can be used as an electrolyte for
rechargeable lithium batteries. This newly developed compound has a lower
melting point (< 20 C) and also provides a higher window of electrochemical
stability (~ 5.7-5.9 V). Furthermore, this newly developed electrolyte is
naturally fire retardant.
Potential Applications
The present invention is ideally suited for use in Secondary
Cells as an improvement over existing technologies, specifically, by improving
the following applications:
- Portable power generation
- High density electronic output
- “Micro-power” generation
Benefits and Advantages
- Lower melting point (< 20 C)
- Wide electrochemical stability window (~ 5.7-5.9 V)
- Developed electrolyte is naturally fire retardant
Download original PDF
