INVESTIGATION OF POROUS LITHIUM BATTERY ELECTRODES.

Abstract

The objective of this program is to investigate methods for producing highly porous lithium electrodes for use in rechargeable spacecraft batteries. This report describes theoretical considerations for, and experimental measurements of, electrochemical parameters for the purpose of correlating electrode performance with true electrochemical areas of electrodes. Among such parameters are: (1) direct charging capacitance, (2), potentiostatic pulse oxidation, and (3) exchange current measurements. Smooth planar surfaces and porous electroformed screen surfaces are to be considered. First results with area measurements have shown that double layer capacitance data in propylene carbonate electrolyte should be useful for estimating true surface areas of inert porous electrode supports. Research is being continued to establish, if possible, a method for measurement of the true surface area of lithium in an inert support. Other work used smooth foils as electrode supports in cell-like construction. Results showed efficiency of utilization of electrodeposited lithium up to 31 percent. Such efficiency was measured during cycling at about 5 ma/sq cm and at a nominal 125-minute rate. At this rate, the calculated thickness of lithium coatings on the 0.5-mil foil support would be about 2 mils.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 31, 1966
Accession Number
AD0487623

Entities

People

  • C. L. Faust
  • D. E. Semones
  • E. A. Roeger Jr.
  • J. Mccallum

Organizations

  • Battelle Memorial Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Capacitance
  • Carbonate Esters
  • Carbonates
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Coatings
  • Construction
  • Deposition (Materials Processing)
  • Efficiency
  • Electrodeposition
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolytes
  • Electrolytic Processes
  • Lithium Batteries
  • Material Coating Processes
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Organic Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster