Safety Studies on Li/SO Cells IV. Investigations of Alternate Organic Electrolytes for Improved Safety

The lithium reactivity of a variety of organic solvents and their mixtures was determined by measuring the exotherm initiation temperature of the or-ganic solvents with Li using DTA. The least reactive solvent and mixtures were used to prepare electrolytes comprising 1M LiBr and 70 % liquid SO2 and the electrical conductivities of these electrolytes were measured at vari-ous temperatures. Eight electrolytes were found to have equivalent or better eonductivities and significantly less reactivity towards Li compared to the state-of-the-art electrolyte comprising LiBr, acetonitrile, and SO2. Some of the electrolytes showed a reduction in conductivity on storage. Li/SO2 organic electrolyte cells consisting of Li an-ode, porous carbon cathode, and LiBr-acetonitri le-l iquid SO2 electrolyte were demonstrated (1-5) to be an excellent power source for various mil itary appli-cations requiring high current drains, long shelf life