NOVEL STABLE, NON-COMPLEXING ANIONS FOR RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES

THE KEY PROBLEM INHIBITING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH ENERGY RECHARGEABLE LI BATTERIES IS THE POOR CYCLEABILITY OF THE LIELECTRODE. ALTHOUGH MAJOR ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE BEEN MADE OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTROLYTE STABILITY AND CONDUCTIVITY ARE STILL REQUIRED. RECENT PROGRESS IN ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FLUORINE SYNTHETIC PROCEDURES HAS RESULTED IN THE SYNTHESIS OF NEW ANIONS POSSESSING SUCH LARGE ELECTRON WITHDRAWING POWER AND/OR KINETIC STABILITY THAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO OFFER ADVANCES IN RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY ELECTROLYTE PROPERTIES. DURING PHASE I, TWO OF THESE NEW ANIONS WILL BE SUBJECTED TOA WIDE VARIETY OF CHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL STABILITY TESTS IN BOTH SULFOLANE AND CYCLIC ETHER SOLVENTS. FINALLY, THE MOST PROMISING ELECTROLYTES (SOLVENT PLUS SALT)WILL BE CYCLED IN FULL TEST CELLS WITH TIS2 CATHODES.