Porosity of the cathode during the discharge of SOCl2/Li batteries: I. Industrial cathodes Original Research Article

During the discharge of Li/SOCl2 batteries, the morphology of the cathode (mainly compacted conductive carbon black) is modified by two phenomena producing opposite effects. LiCl precipitates in the porosity of the cathode reducing the pore volume. The electrode swells increasing the pore volume. It is difficult to identify the contribution of both phenomena. It was shown by mercury porosimetry that LiCl deposits mainly at the entrance of the pores with diameter higher than 200 nm (pore constrictions); the pore size distribution shifts to smaller pores centered on 50 nm. Later, LiCl deposits in narrow mesopores and supermicropores.