US4895778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of purifying electrolytes of alkali metal batteries
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-29
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Granted: 1990-01-23
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Expires: 2006-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A method is described for purifying elecrolytes used in alkali battery systems and containing transition metal solutes as impurities. An electrolyte is mixed with or fed through a column containing poly(acrylamideoxime) resin. The resin chelates the transition metal solute impurities found in typical organic solvents. Electrolytes so treated exhibit improved electrochemical properties because the electrolyte is now devoid of impurities deleterious to battery performance. The solution to be purified can consist of either the organic solvent or the solvent containing at least one alkali salt solute. The purification comprises the steps of (a) adding the solvent or electrolyte solution to a chelating resin; (2) agitating the solution sufficiently to allow chelation of the metal impurities on the resin (when performed in a batch process) or eluting the solution through a pre-formed bed (when performed continuously in a column process). Either of these two procedures will remove the transition metal impurities to a sufficiently low enough level that they will no longer adversely effect cell performance.
Inventors
- 👤 David Nalewajek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/14; H01M6/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/902; Y10S210/911; Y10S210/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of purifying an organic electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one contaminant metal selected from copper, nickel and iron solute and and at least one alkali metal salt solute contained in a least one organic solvent, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the electrolyte with a chelating resin for said contaminant metal solute which is insoluble in a stable to said organic solvent to allow sorption by coordination of the copper, nickel and/or iron solute from said solvent without allowing sorption of the alkali metal salt solute from said solvent; and p1 (b) isolating the purified electrolyte from the resin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of purifying an organic electrolyte for use in alkali batteries, said electrolyte containing at least one contaminant metal selected from copper, nickel and iron solute and and at least one alkali metal salt solute contained in a least one organic solvent, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the electrolyte with a chelating resin for said contaminant metal solute which is insoluble in a stable to said organic solvent to allow sorption by coordination of the copper, nickel and/or iron solute from said solvent without allowing sorption of the alkali metal salt solute from said solvent; and p1 (b) isolating the purified electrolyte from the resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte is a lithium salt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said organic electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of: lactones, alkylene carbonates, lactams, polyethers, cyclic ethers, cyclic sulfones, dialkylsulfites, monocarboxylic acid esters and alkylnitriles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is γ-butyrolactone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is propylene carbonate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is N-methylpyrrolidinone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is 1,2-dimethoxyethane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is tetrahydrofuran.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is sulfolane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is dimethylsulfite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is ethyl or methyl acetate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is acetonitrile.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent is a 50/50 mixture of propylene carbonate/dimethoxyethane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 where the solute is an alkali metal salt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 where the solute is a lithium salt of a complex metal ion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the preferred complex metal anion is selected from the group including tetrafluoroborate, hexafluoroarsenate, and hexafluoroantimonate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent to be purified is chosen from the group consisting of lactones, alkylene carbonates, lactams, polyethers, cyclic ethers, cyclic sulfones, dialkylsulfites, monocarboxylic acid esters, and alkylnitriles and does not contain an alkali salt solute.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent or electrolyte solution is slurried with the chelating resin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent or electrolyte solution is eluted from a column containing the chelating resin.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chelating resin is poly(acrylamideoxime).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-22 | 1993-07-24 | 1994-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-22 | 1997-07-24 | 1998-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-07-24 | 2002-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |