JPH0251221B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to electrochemical cells, and more particularly to new and improved electrochemical cells having an oxidizable active metal anode and a soluble depolarizer comprising interhalogens. In the development of electrochemical cells with high energy density, highly reactive metals such as lithium have recently been used as anodes or negative electrodes. There are at least three ways to develop electrolytes for this type of battery. One method is to use a high temperature inorganic molten salt electrolyte. However, the high temperature operation required by this method requires heating equipment and insulation, which imposes weight, complexity, and cost considerations. Furthermore, due to the properties of the materials used, such as molten lithium, the batteries can only have a relatively short operating life. Another method is to use an organic solvent-based electrolyte, ie, an electrolyte consisting of an inorganic salt in an organic solvent. Batteries made by this method have the advantage of being able to operate at room temperature, but cannot have as high a power density as batteries made by the first method. The third method uses highly reliable lithium halide ionic compounds.
This is a method using a solid electrolyte such as componud). However, batteries with higher current capability may be required. Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrochemical cell having relatively high current performance and relatively high energy density. Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable battery as described above. Another object of the invention is to provide relatively high open circuit voltage and current capacity.
The object of the present invention is to provide a battery as described above having a high capacity. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an oxidizable active anode material and a non-aqueous solvent.
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery as described above, having an electrolyte containing: The high energy density battery of the present invention includes an interhalogen compound dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent that acts as a soluble depolarizer, and the interhalogen compound also acts as a cosolvent or cosolvent within the battery. The electrochemical cell has an anode consisting of a metal higher in the electromotive series than hydrogen and a cathode of an electronically conductive material in operative contact with the anode and cathode. It consists of an ionic conductive electrolytic solution. An electrolyte solution is a first component consisting of an interhalogen compound dissolved in a second component consisting of a non-aqueous solvent or a mixture of multiple non-aqueous solvents. The anode consists of a metal, such as an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, that can be electrochemically oxidized to produce metal ions. The cathode consists of an electronically conductive material such as carbon. As the non-aqueous solvent, it is possible to use an organic solvent that is substantially inert to the materials constituting the anode and cathode, or an inorganic solvent that acts as a solvent and as a depolarizer within the battery. Metal salts can be dissolved in the electrolyte to enhance its ionic conductivity. The present invention will be explained in more detail below. The electrochemical cell of the present invention is above hydrogen in the electromotive series or electrochemical series and is electrochemically oxidized to produce metal ions within the cell that are connected to the cell during discharge. It has an anode made of metal that generates a flow of electrons into an external electrical circuit. Preferred metals are alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, such as lithium,
Alloys and intermetallic compounds containing sodium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, such as Li
-Al alloys and intermetallic compounds, Li-B alloys and intermetallic compounds, Li-Si-B alloys and intermetallic compounds, etc. Other metals that can act as anode metals in batteries can also be used, such as lithium. A typical anode shape is a thin sheet or foil of anode metal. A current collecting member having an extension tab or lead wire is attached to the sheet or foil of the board. The cell of the present invention further has a cathode made of an electronically conductive material that acts as the other electrode. The electro-chemical reaction at the cathode converts ions moving from the anode to the cathode into atoms or molecules. In addition to being electronically conductive, the cathode material may also be electroactive.
Typical cathode materials include graphite and graphite or carbon bonded to wire mesh. Typical cathode materials that are electronically conductive and electrically active include titanium disulfide and lead dioxide. A typical form of the cathode is a thin layer of carbon crimped, painted or otherwise attached to a wire gauze current collecting member. The battery of the invention further comprises a non-aqueous ionic conductive electrolyte solution placed in operative relationship with the anode and cathode.
electrolytic solution). This electrolyte solution acts as a medium for the movement of ions between the anode and cathode during the electrochemical reaction process of the battery. According to the invention, the electrolyte solution consists of an interhalogen compound dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, which interhalogen compound acts as a soluble depolarizer in high energy density batteries. Interhalogens also act as cosolvents within electrochemical cells. Interhalogen compounds include ClF, ClF ₃ , ICl,
_ICl3 , IBr, _IF3 , _IF5 , BrCl, BrF, _BrF3 or
There is _BrF5 . Non-aqueous solvents include organic solvents inert to the anode and cathode materials, such as tetrahydrofuran, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide. , dimethylacetamide, etc. can be used. Non-aqueous solvents also include inorganic solvents that act both as solvents and depolarizers, such as thionyl chloride, sulfuryl chloride.
chloride), selenium oxychloride (selenium
oxychloride), chromyl chloride
chloride), phosphoryl chloride
chloride), thiophosphorous chloride (phosphorous
sulfur trichloride) or a mixture of two or more thereof may be used. The ionic conductivity of the non-aqueous electrolyte solution can be increased by dissolving a metal salt in this non-aqueous halogen solvent. Such metal salts include
Lithium halides such as LiCl _, LiBr, and _LiAlCl4 , _Li2Al2Cl6O , _{LiClO4 , LiAsF6} ,
LiSbF ₆ , LiSbCl ₆ , Li ₂ TiCl ₆ , Li ₂ SeCl ₆ ,
There are LiMX _o type lithium salts such as Li ₂ B ₁₀ Cl ₁₀ , Li ₂ B ₁₂ Cl ₁₂ , etc. A solution of the interhalogen compound, non-aqueous solvent, and ionic salt (if used) acts as the battery's depolarizer and electrolyte. If necessary due to the mechanical structure or form of the battery, a separation member or separator can be used for physical separation between the anode and cathode current collecting members. The separator is an electrically insulating material that prevents internal short circuits in the cell between the anode and cathode current collecting members. It is also necessary that the material of the separator does not chemically react with the materials of the anode and cathode current collecting members, does not chemically react with the electrolyte solution, and does not dissolve therein. Furthermore, the separator material must have sufficient porosity to allow the flow of the electrolyte solution during the progress of the cell's electrochemical reactions. Separator materials that meet these requirements include nonwoven glass, Teflon, glass fiber, ceramic, and commercially available materials called Zitex, Celgard, and Dexiglas. . The typical shape of the separator is a sheet, which is placed between the anode and cathode of the cell to prevent physical contact between the two. This physical contact is also prevented when the three-way combination is rolled or otherwise formed into a cylinder. The battery of the invention operates as follows. When an ionically conductive electrolyte solution is placed in operative relationship with the anode and cathode of a battery, a potential difference is created between the terminals operatively connected to the anode and cathode. The electrochemical reaction at the anode includes oxidation to produce metal ions during discharge of the cell. The electrochemical reaction at the cathode involves converting ions moving from the anode to the cathode into atoms or molecules. It is also believed that the interhalogen compound in the electrolyte solution reacts with the nonaqueous solvent to form a compound or complex that provides a high open circuit voltage to the battery. Next, a specific example will be explained. EXAMPLE A test cell was constructed with a lithium anode, a carbon cathode, and an electrolyte consisting of lithium bromide dissolved in selenium oxychloride.
The anode is approximately 1.4cm wide, approximately 6.6cm long, and approximately 0.056cm thick.
A nickel current collector member having an elongated lead wire or tab was pressure-bonded to the lithium foil using a lithium foil having a diameter of 1 cm. The cathode is approximately 1.5cm wide, approximately 7.0cm long, and weighs approximately
A thin layer of 173 mg carbon was prepared by pressing the thin layer of carbon onto a thin rolled stainless steel screen with elongated tabs or leads. A separator made of a sheet of the Celguard material described above is prepared, placed between the anode and cathode layers, and the anode/separator/cathode assembly is wound into a cylinder with an outer diameter of approx.
It was placed in a 1.3 cm glass container, and the lead wires of the anode and cathode current collecting members were led out from the opening of the glass container. A depolarizer-electrolyte solution of a 0.1 M solution with a total volume of 2.0 ml was prepared by dissolving lithium bromide in selenium oxychloride. Pour this solution into the glass container,
The opening of the container was sealed with a Teflon-lined stopper, allowing external electrical connections to spaced anode and cathode leads.
This test cell had an open circuit voltage of approximately 3.55 volts,
The initial load voltage was about 3.45 volts when a constant load of 3.3 kΩ was connected and discharged at room temperature.
The load voltage after 48 hours of discharge was approximately 3.4 volts. The cell had a total discharge capacity of approximately 73 milliamp hours to a cutoff voltage of 3.0 volts. Example: A laboratory cell with a lithium anode, a carbon cathode, and an ionically conductive electrolyte solution consisting of a halogen dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent.
cell) was created. That is, Li/LiBr,
A SeOCl ₂ -Br ₂ /C battery was produced. The anode is approximately 1.4cm wide, approximately 6.6cm long, and approximately thickness
A 0.056 cm lithium foil was used, and a nickel current collector member having an elongated lead wire or tab was pressure-bonded and fixed to the lithium foil. The cathode is approximately 1.5cm wide, approximately 7.0cm long, and weighs approximately
A thin layer of carbon ranging from 170 mg to about 190 mg was prepared by pressing the carbon layer onto a thin stainless steel screen having elongated leads or tabs. Prepare a separator made of a sheet of the Celguard material mentioned above, place it between the anode and cathode, and wrap the anode/separator/cathode assembly to form a cylindrical body with an outer diameter of about 1.0 cm and a height of about 2.0 cm. was formed. This cylindrical body was placed in a glass bottle or other suitably sized container, and the leads of the anode and cathode current collectors were led out from the opening of the container. As a depolarizer-electrolyte solution, 2.0 ml of a 0.1M solution of lithium bromide dissolved in a solution of selenium oxychloride and bromine in a volume ratio of 1:1 was prepared. The solution is introduced by pouring or other suitable method into the container, and a Teflon-lined stopper or other container is inserted to allow external electrical connection to the spaced anode and cathode leads. The mouth of the container was sealed with a suitable closure. This battery had an open circuit voltage of about 3.8 volts, and an initial load voltage of about 3.7 volts when a constant load of 3.3 kΩ was connected and discharged at room temperature. The load voltage after 50 hours of discharge was approximately 3.6 volts. This battery has a total discharge capacity of approximately 94 mA hours;
The cutoff voltage was 3.0 volts. The table shows discharge test data obtained from the example test cells and the example experimental cells. Both batteries were discharged at room temperature under a constant load of 3.3 kΩ with a load resistor connected between both terminals of each battery.

TABLE FIG. 1 is a graph of the tabular data showing the load voltage as a function of time, with curves 10 and 12 each plotting the discharge data of the example cell. It is observed that the discharge voltage of the example cell is higher than the discharge voltage of the example cell throughout its operating life. Example A test cell was constructed with a lithium anode, a carbon cathode, and an electrolyte consisting of lithium aluminum tetrachloride dissolved in thionyl chloride. The anode is approximately 1.5cm wide, approximately 7.0cm long, and approximately thickness
A 0.056 cm lithium foil was used, and a nickel current collector member having an elongated lead wire or tab was fixed to the lithium foil by pressure contact. The cathode was prepared by preparing approximately 0.25 g of carbon containing approximately 5% by weight of a Teflon material binder, and applying this carbon to a nickel element with a width of approximately 1.5 cm and a length of approximately 7.0 cm, which had a long lead wire or tab. Created. A separator made of a sheet of non-woven glass material is prepared, placed between the anode and cathode layers, the anode/separator/cathode assembly is rolled into a cylinder, and this is placed in a glass container with an outer diameter of 1.3 cm. The anode lead wire and the cathode current collecting member lead wire were led out from the mouth of the glass container. Lithium aluminum tetrachloride was dissolved in thionyl chloride to prepare 2.0 ml of a 1.0M solution, which was used as a depolarizer-electrolyte solution. This solution was poured into the glass container, and the opening of the glass container was sealed with a Teflon-lined stopper to allow external electrical connection to the spaced anode and cathode leads. This battery has an open circuit voltage of 3.60 volts,
It was discharged at room temperature under a constant load of 182Ω. The average current drain rate was approximately 20 milliamps. When discharged, the battery exhibits an initial load voltage of approximately 3.4 volts, and after 32 hours of discharge, the load voltage is approximately
It was 3.3 volts. The battery had a total discharge capacity of approximately 650 milliamp hours and a cutoff voltage of 3.0 volts. Example An experimental cell was constructed with a lithium anode, a carbon cathode, and an ionically conductive electrolyte solution consisting of a halogen dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent. That is, Li/ _LiAlCl4 , _SOCl2 - _Br2 /C batteries were created. A lithium anode, carbon cathode and anode/separator/cathode assembly were made in the same manner as in the example. Depolarizer - The electrolyte solution is a 1.0M solution of lithium aluminum tetrachloride in a solution of 1.8ml thionyl chloride and 0.2ml bromine.
Prepare 2.0ml and pour this solution into a glass container,
It was sealed in the same way as in the example. The cell had an open circuit voltage of 3.80±0.05 volts and was discharged at room temperature (25±3° C.) under a constant load of 182 ohms with an average current drain rate of about 20 milliamps. During discharge, the cell exhibited an initial load voltage of about 3.8 volts, and after 32 hours of discharge the load voltage was about 3.3 volts. The battery had a total discharge capacity of approximately 700 milliamp hours, and the cutoff voltage was 3.0 volts. The table shows discharge test data obtained from the example test cells and the example experimental cells. Connect a load resistor between both terminals of both batteries to 182Ω.
It was discharged at room temperature under a constant load of .

TABLE FIG. 2 is a graph of the tabular data showing the load voltage as a function of time, with curves 14 and 16 plotting the discharge data for the example and example cells, respectively. It is observed that the discharge voltage of the example cell is higher than the discharge voltage of the example cell throughout its operating life. Example An experimental cell was constructed with a lithium anode, a carbon cathode, and an ionically conductive electrolyte solution consisting of a halogen dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent. That is, Li/LiAlCl ₄ , SOCl ₂ -Cl ₂ /C batteries were made. A lithium anode and a carbon cathode were made in the same manner as in the example. However, the cathode contained about 180 mg to about 200 mg of carbon. The separator was made of a Teflon material or a non-woven glass material commercially available as Dexiglass as previously described. The anode-separator-cathode assembly was rolled into a cylinder and inserted into a glass container in the same manner as in the example. As the depolarizer-electrolyte solution, a total volume of 2.0 ml of a 1.0 M solution of lithium aluminum tetrachloride in thionyl chloride saturated with chlorine at room temperature was used, and this solution was poured into the above-mentioned glass container, and this container was used as an example. It was sealed in the same way as in the case. The open circuit voltage of this cell was approximately 4.0 volts, and it was discharged at room temperature under a constant load of 182 ohms with a load resistor connected across the terminals of the cell. Discharge test data for the example battery is shown in the table. Table Example battery discharge data Discharge time Measured load voltage (hours) (volts) 1.0 3.82 3.0 3.77 4.0 3.25 17.0 3.07 19.0 2.67 Figure 3 is a graph of load voltage as a function of time, curve 18 is the discharge of the table Show data. Example: A prototype electron
cell) was created. That is, Li/LiAlCl ₄ ,
A SOCl ₂ -Br ₂ /C battery was made approximately according to "AA" size specifications. The dimensions of the cell were 1.35 cm outside diameter and 4.70 cm long, the casing was made of 304 stainless steel, and the cell was hermetically sealed using a glass-to-metal seal that was laser welded to the casing. The anode is approximately 4.0cm wide, approximately 5.6cm long, and weighs approximately
A 739 mg lithium sheet was used, and a nickel current collector member was fixed to the lithium foil by pressure contact. The cathode was a carbon sheet approximately 4.0 cm wide, 6.0 cm long, and weighed approximately 791 mg, which was crimped onto a thin stainless steel screen. Alternatively, the cathode may be carbon on a nickel screen. A separator made of a sheet of non-woven glass material is provided and placed between the anode and cathode layers;
This anode-separator-cathode assembly was wound into a cylinder shape in the same manner as in each of the above examples, and this was housed in an "AA" size battery casing. Lithium aluminum tetrachloride was added to a solution of thionyl chloride and bromine to prepare a 1.0M solution, which was used as a depolarizer-electrolyte solution. The volume of bromine was 10% and the total volume of solution was approximately 4 c.c. This solution was filled into the casing by injection or other suitable method. The cell was hermetically sealed by welding a glass-to-metal seal to the cell case. Prior to sealing, electrical connections were made within the casing from the battery case and insulated terminals to the electrodes or current collecting members. The battery has an open circuit voltage of approximately 3.8 volts and an average drain current of approximately approximately 3.8 volts under a constant load of 68.1 ohms at room temperature.
When discharging at 50mA, the initial load voltage is approximately 3.7
It was hot with bolts. The load voltage after 35 hours of discharge is approximately
It was 3.3 volts. The cell had a total discharge capacity of approximately 1.85 amp hours and a cutoff voltage of 3.0 volts. EXAMPLE A test cell was constructed with a lithium anode, a carbon cathode, and an electrolyte consisting of lithium aluminum tetrachloride dissolved in thionyl chloride. The anode, cathode and separator were the same as in the example. However, the width of the anode is approximately 4.0
The cathode was approximately 4.0 cm wide, approximately 6.0 cm long, and weighed approximately 817 mg. The anode-separator-cathode assembly was rolled and inserted into the "AA" size casing as in the example. The depolarizer-electrolyte solution was prepared by dissolving lithium aluminum tetrachloride in thionyl chloride.
A 1.0M solution was used. This solution was poured into the casing and the casing was sealed in the same way as in the example. This test cell had an open circuit voltage of approximately 3.6 volts,
When discharged at room temperature under a constant load of 75 ohms with an average drain current of about 45 milliamps, it exhibited an initial load voltage of about 3.4 volts. The load voltage after 35 hours of discharge was approximately 3.2 volts. The cell had a total discharge capacity of about 1.69 amp hours and a cutoff voltage of about 3.0 volts. The table shows discharge test data obtained from an example prototype cell and an example test cell.

Table FIG. 4 is a graph of the data in the table showing load voltage as a function of time. Curves 20 and 22 are obtained by plotting discharge data for the Example and Example cells, respectively. It is observed that the discharge voltage of the example prototype cell is higher than the discharge voltage of the example test cell for almost the entire operating life. Figures 5 to 8 are examples of Li/Br ₂ +SOCl ₂
Additional testing on the “AA” prototype battery is shown. Figure 5 shows Li/
The discharge characteristics of the Br ₂ + SOCl ₂ “AA” prototype battery are shown. Curves 24, 26, 28, and 30 are respectively
This is obtained by plotting discharge data under constant charges of 332Ω, 182Ω, 75Ω, and 33Ω. As in all the examples described above, each load is obtained by connecting a load resistor having the respective resistance value between the terminals of the battery. As expected, the achievable capacity of the battery was found to be a function of the discharge rate. At an average rate of less than 20 milliamps under a 182 ohm load, a capacity of more than 2.1 amp-hours is obtained, and the cutoff voltage is
It was 2.0 volts. However, it has been found that lower capacity can be achieved at higher current sink rates, ie, only 1.6 amp-hours under a 75 ohm load and about 1.3 amp-hours under a 33 ohm load. According to the average load voltage and the realized capacity, the prototype “AA” Li/Br ₂ + SOCl ₂ battery has 10-100
Effective volumetric energy density of 0.7-1.1wh/ ^cm3 at a discharge rate of mA
has. At lower discharge rates, the energy density is still high, as shown in FIG. That is, Figure 6 shows Li/Br ₂ +SOCl ₂ discharged to a cut-off voltage of 2 volts at a discharge rate of 10 to 20 mA.
Showing the additional low rate discharge capacity of the “AA” prototype battery. In FIG. 6, curve 32 shows discharge data for a 2.1 amp hour capacity battery with a cutoff voltage of 2.0 volts under a 182 ohm load. Curve 34 is
Discharge data is shown for a battery with a capacity of 2.1 amp hours to a cutoff voltage of 2.0 volts under a 332 ohm load. After cut-off, both cells were discharged under a load of 140 kΩ. As shown in Figure 6, 182Ω or
A cell discharged to a cutoff voltage of 2.0 volts under a load of 332 ohms continued to exhibit a cell voltage of 3.4 volts under a load of 140 kohms. FIGS. 7 and 8 show data obtained by discharging the same example prototype battery at high and low temperatures, respectively.
In other words, Figure 7 shows Li/Br ₂ + at 60±3°C.
Showing the discharge characteristics of the SOCl ₂ “AA” prototype battery. Curves 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 are obtained by plotting discharge data under load resistances of 705 ohms, 341 ohms, 182 ohms, 75 ohms, and 50 ohms, respectively. The capacity achieved at 60°C is somewhat lower than the capacity at room temperature under the same load. Figure 8 shows Li/Br ₂ +SOCl ₂ at -40±3℃
Showing the discharge characteristics of the “AA” prototype battery. That is, curves 48, 50, 52, 54, and 56 are obtained by plotting discharge data at load resistances of 681Ω, 332Ω, 182Ω, 75Ω, and 33Ω, respectively. Both the voltage and the realized capacity were found to be significantly lower at -40°C. Furthermore, at the beginning of the discharge test at -40°C, a voltage delay was clearly observed, especially at high currents. Nevertheless, at −40°C ca.
An effective volumetric energy density of 0.6Wh/cm ³ was achieved at 10mA. Example Li/LiAlCl ₄ of the type mentioned in the example, SOCl ₂ −
A Cl ₂ battery was created almost to the specifications of the "AA" size shown in the example. The prototype cell had an open circuit voltage of approximately 3.9 volts, and the cell achieved a total discharge capacity of approximately 2.0 amp-hours when discharged at room temperature to a cutoff voltage of 2.0 volts under a 20 ohm load. Example A Li/LiAlCl ₄ , SOCl ₂ -BrCl battery was created almost in accordance with the "AA" size specifications described as an example.
This prototype battery has an open circuit voltage of approximately 3.9 volts, and when the battery is discharged to a cut-off voltage of 2.0 volts at room temperature under a 182 ohm load, approximately
A total discharge capacity of 2.1Ah was achieved. In FIG. 9, curve 58 shows the discharge characteristics of the battery under a load of 182 ohms and is obtained by plotting the battery voltage against the discharge capacity. According to the present invention, the non-aqueous electrolyte is composed of a non-aqueous solvent such as oxyhalide and an interhalogen compound dissolved therein, which results in a higher open circuit voltage and larger voltage than conventional batteries of this type. Capacity can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the safety problems of conventional thionyl chloride batteries can be solved. Generally, in lithium/thionyl chloride batteries, elemental sulfur is produced by the battery reaction (4Li+2SOCl ₂ →4LiCl
+S+SO ₂ ), but this sulfur and lithium react violently in the molten state, so there is a safety problem.
In the battery of the present invention, the presence of an interhalogen compound such as BrCl generates sulfur halide to remove the sulfur, thereby solving the above-mentioned safety problem.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the discharge characteristics of the example and the battery of the example, FIG. 2 is a graph showing the discharge characteristics of the example and the battery of the example, FIG. 3 is a graph showing the discharge characteristics of the battery of the example, and FIG. Graphs showing the discharge characteristics of the example and battery of the example; FIG. 5 is a graph showing the room temperature discharge characteristics of the battery of the example for different load resistances; FIG. 6 is a graph showing the low rate discharge characteristics of the battery of the example for different load resistances. , FIG. 7 is a graph showing the high temperature discharge characteristics of the example battery for different load resistances, FIG. 8 is a graph showing the low temperature discharge characteristics of the example battery for different load resistances, and FIG. 9 is the discharge characteristics of the battery according to the present invention. This is a graph showing. 10...Discharge data of the example battery, 12...Discharge data of the example battery, 14...Discharge data of the example battery, 16...Discharge data of the example battery, 1
8...Discharge data of the example battery, 20...Discharge data of the example battery, 22...Discharge data of the example battery, 24, 26, 28, 30...Discharge data for different loads of the example battery, 32 ,34...
Low rate discharge data for different loads of the example battery, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44...High temperature discharge data for different loads of the example battery, 48,
50, 54, 56...low temperature discharge data for different loads for example batteries, 58...discharge data for batteries of the invention.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An anode made of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and alloys thereof, a cathode made of an electronically conductive substance, and an anode in direct contact with the anode and cathode. an ionically conductive electrolyte solution placed in an operative relationship, the electrolyte solution comprising a first component comprising an interhalogen compound, and a second component comprising a non-aqueous solvent in which the first component is dissolved; and a metal salt dissolved in order to increase the ionic conductivity of the solution, and when the first component and the second component react, it participates in battery action and acts as a soluble depolarizer and a cosolvent. A battery characterized in that it also acts. 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein the anode comprises lithium and the electrolyte solution comprises bromine chloride dissolved in thionyl chloride.