A secondary cell based on the copper(II)‐(I) and (I)‐(0) couples in acetonitrile has been constructed and studied at room and low temperatures. The over‐all cell reaction is Cu + + + Cu ( s ) ⇄ 2 Cu + . A positive compartment consisting of a graphite sheet in contact with an acetonitrile solution of copper (II) perchlorate was separated by an anionic ion‐exchange membrane from a negative electrode of copper metal in acetonitrile. Lithium or sodium perchlorate was added to the negative compartment to decrease internal resistance. The cell develops an open‐circuit potential of 1.35V and is reversible at coulombic efficiencies of close to 100%. A test unit was carried through more than 45 charge and discharge cycles at room temperature. Discharge characteristics are poorer at −14°C than at room temperature. The anionic ion‐exchange membrane used as a separator was stable to the solvent, chemicals, and potentials used, and effectively blocked transport of copper (II) species. About 90% of full charge was retained after a wet stand of 2 months.
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Kratochvil et al. (1974) studied this question.