Thermal battery reaction products: characterization by electron microprobe x-ray analyzer and transmission electron microscope. [Ca anode, KCl--LiCl in DEB pellet]

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:5315794

Hlava, P F; Headley, T J

A series of DEB-type thermal battery cells which had experienced various stages of discharge was prepared and analyzed with the electron microprobe and transmission electron microscope to determine the compositions, crystal structures, and distribution of the phases present in the reaction products. A series of six layers was found in the DEB pellet after discharge. Layer 1 consists of essentially pure KCaCl/sub 3/ (tetragonal, a/sub 0/ = 7.387 A, c/sub 0/ = 9.645 A) and forms adjacent to the unused portion of the Ca anode. Layers 2 and 3 are texturally distinct but both consist of crystals of Ca/sub 2/CrO/sub 4/Cl (orthorhombic, a/sub 0/ = 6.259 A, b/sub 0/ = 7.124 A, c/sub 0/ = 10.99 A) in a matrix of KCaCl/sub 3/, KCl, and LiCl. Layer 4 is unused DEB pellet material (CaCrO/sub 4/, KCl, LiCl, SiO/sub 2/). Layer 5 is a thick layer consisting of large, oriented crystals of (probably) Ca/sub 6/Cr/sub 4/O/sub x/SiCl/sub 2/ (hexagonal, a/sub 0/ = 10.069 A, c/sub 0/ = 7.012 A) in a matrix of mixed chlorides. Layer 6 contains the same phases as the previous layer with the addition of some crystals of an unknown Ca-Cr-Si-O compound (face-centered cubic, a/sub 0/ = 7.28 A). Finally, a thin, incomplete layer of mixed Fe and Cr oxides formed adjacent to the Fe cathode charge collector. 12 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 5315794
• Report Number(s): SAND-77-1317
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250902* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Performance & Testing
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
METALS
MICROSCOPY
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
THERMAL BATTERIES
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION
YIELDS