ZEBRA second electrolyte

The second electrolyte, the melt of sodium aluminum chloride, provides another advantage for the ZEBRA system. This second electrolyte makes the system tolerant to overcharge and overdischarge. In the overcharge reaction NaAlCl4 reacts with nickel to form sodium, nickel chloride, and... 

Currently interest has now been directed toward a similar high temperature system, the ZEBRA Battery, which also uses P-alumina as a Na ion conductor. The sulfur electrode is replaced by nickel chloride or by a mixture of ferrous and nickel chlorides. Contact between the NiCl2 electrode and the solid electrolyte is poor as they are both solids, and current flow is improved by adding a second liquid electrolyte (molten NaAlCb) between this electrode and the P-alumina. The overall cell reaction is now ... 

The ZEBRA battery comprises a NiCU positive electrode in a central compartment with NaCl salt, impregnated with NaAlCls, which is a liquid mixture of NaCl and AICI3 (considered to be a secondary electrolyte). The negative electrode is liquid sodium confined in a second, outer compartment. The wall separating the two compartments is made of a P alumina ceramic (or P-AI2O3), conductive of sodium ions, considered to be the primary electrolyte. The element is sealed hermetically and functions at temperatures equal to or higher than 300°C so that the active components remain in the liquid state. 

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