A LI/SO(2)CL(2) CELL WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AIMED AT DEVELOPING A LI/SO(2)CL(2) CELL HAVING IMPROVED PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS IS PROPOSED. THIS CELL, WHEN FULL DEVELOPED, IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER VOLUMETRIC ENERGY DENSITY THAN THE LI/SOCL(2) CELL. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LI/SO(2)CL(2) CELL WILL BE ACHIEVED VIA THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS: I. USE OF MIXED ELECTROLYTES, BASED ON LIALCL(4) SOLUTIONS IN SO(2)CL(2) AND SOCL(2), OR SO(2)CL(2) AND SO(2). II. ADDITION OF PRECURSOR MATERIALS TO MODIFY THE LI ANODE SURFACE FILM AND THUS TO IMPROVE THE STORABILITY OF THE CELL. III. INCORPORATION OF NEW CATALYSTS TO LOWER CATHODE POLARIZATION, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH RATES OF DISCHARGE.