Primary cells and iodine containing cathodes therefor

Abstract

A mixture of iodine with a poly-2-vinylpyridine.I 2 or a poly-2-vinylquinoline.I 2 charge transfer complex is an improved cathode material of a plastic state and in conjunction with a metal anode, for example lithium, provides primary cells with improved capacity and performance characteristics.

We claim: 
     
       1. A plastic cathode consisting essentially of a mixture of iodine and a charge transfer complex of iodine with an organic donor component selected from the group consisting of poly-2-vinylquinoline and poly-2-vinylpyridine the mixture containing between about 2 and 15 molecules of iodine for each atom of nitrogen. 
     
     
       2. A cathode according to claim 1 containing about 6 molecules of iodine for each atom of nitrogen. 
     
     
       3. A primary cell comprising a metallic anode and a cathode consisting essentially of a plastic mixture of iodine and a charge transfer complex of iodine with an organic donor component selected from the group consisting of organic donor component selected from the group consisting poly-2-vinylquinoline and poly-2-vinylpyridine containing between about 2 and 15 molecules of iodine for each atom of nitrogen. 
     
     
       4. A cell according to claim 3 in which the anode is silver, magnesium or lithium. 
     
     
       5. A cell according to claim 3 having a current collector in contact with the cathode and made of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, platinum, nickel or alloys thereof. 
     
     
       6. A cell according to claim 5 in which the anode is lithium and the cathode current collector is zirconium. 
     
     
       7. A cell according to claim 6 in which the cathode contains between about 2 and 6 molecules of iodine for each atom of nitrogen. 
     
     
       8. A cell according to claim 6 in which the cathode is a mixture of iodine and poly-2-vinylpyridine. 
     
     
       9. A cell according to claim 6 in which the cathode is a mixture of iodine and poly-2-vinylquinoline. 
     
     
       10. A primary cell comprising laminae in intimate contact sequentially arranged as follows: (1) a metallic anode, (2) an electrolyte comprising an iodide of the anode metal, (3) a cathode consisting essentially of a plastic mixture of iodine and a charge transfer complex of iodine with an organic donor component selected from the group consisting of poly-2-vinylquinoline and poly-2-vinylpyridine containing between 2 and 15 molecules of iodine for each atom of nitrogen and (4) a metal cathode current collector inert to said cathode. 
     
     
       11. A cell according to claim 10 having a lithium anode and a zirconium cathode current collector. 
     
     
       12. A cell according to claim 11 having a metallic anode current collector lamina in intimate contact with the anode.