High performance molten nitrate cell

摘要

A thermally activated electrochemical cell utilizes an anode constructed of elemental lithium and transition metal powder. Iron is disclosed to be the best mode of transition metal powder. The cell uses nitrate salt electrolyte containing lithium nitrate and silver nitrate as a cathode enhancer. Electrical performance of this cell includes open circuit potentials of approximately +3.4 volts at 300 DEG C. and thermal activation within the range of 123 DEG to 465 DEG C. Current densities as high as 1,250 mA/cm2 have been demonstrated.