Lithium - Inorganic Electrolyte Batteries.

The major area of investigation during this report period has been the voltage delay and depression in LiSOCl2 cells after storage at 71 C. These are due to films on the Li anode surface which arise from reaction with the electrolyte. The effects of test-cell design and variation in storage procedures have been assessed. Calcium deposited onto the anode decreases the voltage delay. The efficiency of Ca deposition onto Li metal was investigated. An infrared spectrophotometric survey of the LiAlCl4SOCl2 electrolyte system was initiated. The question of atmospheric exchange with the storage cells was explored. Argon-filled Al containers were used to store the cells. There was evidence of improvement in the LiSOCl2 cells with regard to voltage delay up to 300 hours of storage. Infrared spectrophotometry was used to survey the LiAlCl4SOCl2 electrolyte system. Eastman 246 SOCl2 contains 200 ppm HCl and SO2. After distillation, more SO2, and SO2Cl2, are detected. Water reacts with SOCl2 to produce SO2 and HCl in direct proportion to the amount added. Solutions of the electrolyte contain HC1, SO2 and hydroxy aluminum compounds. Storage of the electrolyte with Li removes HCl and hydroxy compounds but introduces low levels of other products. Water reacts with the electrolyte solution to produce SO2 and HCl and also hydroxy aluminum components.