Solid-state ionics-solid electrolyte cells with copper ion conductors

Abstract

A solid electrolyte cell has been developed using a high copper ion conductivity solid electrolyte, 7CuBr·C6H12N4CH3Br, a copper anode, and a chalcogen cathode. The open-circuit voltages of the cells with sulphur, selenium, and tellurium as cathode materials were 0·448, 0·373, and 0·258 V, respectively, at 25° C. These cells yielded a current of several tens of microamperes at room temperature and several milliamperes at 114° C without appreciable polarization. An energy density of 4.5 Wh kg−1 at room temperature was evaluated from the weights of the electrolyte and electrode materials for the cell using a selenium cathode in the discharge current density range 60–150μA cm−2.