Novel ternary molten salt electrolytes for intermediate-temperature sodium/nickel chloride batteries

The sodium nickel chloride (ZEBRA) battery is operated at relatively high temperature (250-350 degrees C) to achieve adequate electrochemical performance. Reducing the operating temperature in the range of 150200 degrees C can not only lead to enhanced cycle life by suppressing temperature-related degradations, but also allow the use of lower cost materials for construction. To achieve adequate electrochemical performance at lower operating temperatures, reduction in ohmic losses is required, including the reduced ohmic resistance of beta ''-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) and the incorporation of low melting point secondary electrolytes. In present work, planar-type Na/NiCl2 cells with a thin BASE (600 mu m) and low melting point secondary electrolyte were evaluated at reduced temperatures. Molten salts used as secondary electrolytes were fabricated by the partial replacement of NaCl in the standard secondary electrolyte (NaAlCl4) with other lower melting point alkali metal salts such as NaBr, LiCl, and LiBr. Electrochemical characterization of these ternary molten salts demonstrated improved ionic conductivity and sufficient electrochemical window at reduced temperatures. Furthermore, Na/NiCl2 cells with 50 mol% NaBr-containing secondary electrolyte exhibited reduced polarizations at 175 degrees C compared to the cell with the standard NaAlCl4 catholyte. The cells also exhibited stable cycling performance even at 150 degrees C. Published by Elsevier B.V.