| abstract |
Alkyl or haloalkyl substituted quaternary ammonium salts having a nitrogen cation symmetry number no greater than three, or mixtures thereof, are added to the electrolyte of otherwise conventional halogen cells. The compounds form complexes with elemental chlorine, bromine, iodine, or mixtures thereof in the electrolyte which complexes, comprise predominantly electrolyte-insoluble liquids at the temperatures at which the cells are normally run, are characterized by rapid halogenation and dehalogenation, and thus are well suited for halogen storage in battery or fuel cell applications. The shelf-life and capacity of electrochemical systems containing an additive of the invention are improved. |