Electrolyte salts for non aqueous electrochemical cells

Abstract

Novel electrolyte salts having high current carrying capability for non-aqueous electrochemical cells particularly those containing fluid depolarizer/electrolyte solvents. The salts have the general formula M(ZX 4 ) n with "M" being an alkali or alkaline earth metal, "Z" being gallium, .[.indium or thallium,.]. "X" being a halogen and "n" being either 1 or 2.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising an anode, comprised of one or more metals above hydrogen in the EMF series, a cathode depolarizer and a dissolved electrolyte salt characterized in that the electrolyte salt has the formula M(ZX 4 ) n  wherein "M" is selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metals, "Z" is .[.selected from the group consisting of.]. gallium, .[.indium and thallium,.]. "X" is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine and mixtures thereof, and "n" is 1 when "M" is an alkali metal and "n" is 2 when "M" is an alkaline earth metal. 
     
     
       2. The cell of claim 1 wherein said cathode depolarizer is a fluid and functions as a solvent for said electrolyte salt. 
     
     
       3. The cell of claim 2 wherein said cathode depolarizer is selected from the group consisting of fluid oxyhalides, non-metallic oxides, non-metallic halides and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. The cell of claim 3 wherein said cathode depolarizer is thionyl chloride (SOCl 2 ). 
     
     
       5. The cell of claim 1 wherein said metal is lithium. 
     
     
       6. The cell of claim 4 wherein said metal is lithium. .[.7. The cell of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium tetrachlorogallate, lithium tetrachloroindate and 
     
     
        lithium tetrachlorothallate..]. 8. The cell of claim 1 wherein said 
     
     
        electrolyte salt is lithium tetrachlorogallate. 9. The cell of claim 6 wherein said electrolyte salt is lithium tetrachlorogallate. .Iadd. 10. A non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode, a fluid cathode depolarizer and an electrolyte salt dissolved in said fluid cathode depolarizer characterized in that said electrolyte salt consists of LiGaCl 4 . .Iaddend.