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U.S. Department of Energy
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Investigation of lithium thionyl chloride battery safety hazards. Quarterly technical progress report 1 Jan-31 Mar 82

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5790391

Scanning electron and optical microscopic investigation of an overdischarged cathode from a cathode limited Li/SOCl2 cell reveal a three-dimensional reticulated lithium dendrite structure. Individual dendrites do not grow and longer than about 50 microns or any thicker than about 4 microns in diameter before branching at random angles. E.S.R. spectra of 50% and 100% overdischarged anode limited cells reveal a third chemical species carrying an unpaired electron which is distinct from the two radical species observed during discharge. No significant difference is observed between the Raman spectra of 100% discharged electrolyte and 50% cathode limited overdischarged electrolyte. The same holds true for infrared spectra. The Raman spectra of 90% anode limited overdischarged electrolyte shows most of the peaks occuring at 100% discharge in addition to 687, 727, 819, and 854 per cm. The infrared spectrum of the same solution shows most the the features occuring at 100% discharge in addition to the reduction of 981 cm-1 and growth of peaks at 1397,1085,1070 (shoulder) 661 and 602 cm-1. Peaks at 1070 and 661 always occur weakly in discharged electrolyte spectra and are quite strong in the spectrum of Li/sub 2/S0/sub 4/ saturated electrolyte.

Research Organization:
GTE Communications Products Corp., Waltham, MA (USA). Power Systems Operation
OSTI ID:
5790391
Report Number(s):
AD-A-129300/0
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English