1.5-3 v lithium batteries with overcharge protection

Abstract

Rechargeable, non-aqueous lithium batteries which contain, as active anode material, either lithium metal or a lithium alloy, an active cathode material with a redox potential in the range of between 1.5 and 3.4 V vs. Li/Li + and lithium rhodanide (LiSCN) as electrolyte component.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A lithium battery comprising:
 lithium metal or a lithium alloy as an active anode material; and   a material having a redox potential in the range between 1.5 and 3.4 V vs. Li/Li +  as an active cathode material; and   lithium rhodanide as an electrolyte;   wherein the lithium battery is rechargeable and nonaqueous.   
     
     
         17 . The rechargeable nonaqueous lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein powdered lithium metal or a powdered lithium alloy which may be present in a compacted form is included as the active anode material. 
     
     
         18 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the cathode material is selected from the group consisting of CF x , a transition metal oxide, a transition metal sulfide, a transition metal fluoride, a transition metal oxyfluoride, an organic redox-active compound, sulfur and selenium. 
     
     
         19 . The lithium battery according to  claim 18 , wherein the cathode material is selected from the group consisting of CF x , MnO 2 , V 2 O 5 , V 6 O 13 , FeOF, FeF 3 , FeF 2  and S. 
     
     
         20 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the electrolyte is in a liquid, gelatinous or solid state at room temperature. 
     
     
         21 . The lithium battery according to  claim 20 , wherein the electrolyte contains organic aprotic solvents selected from the group consisting of a cyclic ether, an acyclic ether, a polyether, a nitrile, a lactone, a carbonic acid ester and an ionic liquid. 
     
     
         22 . The lithium battery according to  claim 21 , wherein the electrolyte contains at least one organic aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, acetonitrile, adiponitrile, malodinitrile, glutaronitrile, y-butyrolactone and an imidazolium salt. 
     
     
         23 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the electrolyte contains LiSCN and at least one additional conductive salt. 
     
     
         24 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the additional conductive salt is selected from the group consisting of LiPF 6 , a lithium fluoroalkyl phosphate, LiBF 4 , an imide salt, LiOSO 2 CF 3 , a methide salt, LiClO 4 , a lithium chelatoborate, a lithium fluorochelatoborate, a lithium chelatophosphate, a lithium fluorochelatophosphate and a lithium halide. 
     
     
         25 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the electrolyte comprises at least one organic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile and polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
         26 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the LiSCN is present in the electrolyte in a concentration of 0.01 to 15 wt %. 
     
     
         27 . The lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein the LiSCN is present in the electrolyte in a concentration of 1 to 10 wt %. 
     
     
         28 . An electrolyte for use in the lithium battery according to  claim 16 , wherein lithium rhodanide is present as the electrolyte component. 
     
     
         29 . The electrolyte according to  claim 28 , wherein the LiSCN is present in the electrolyte in a concentration of 0.01 to 15 wt %. 
     
     
         30 . A battery electrolyte comprising LiSCN as a redox shuttle compound.