Investigations of binary lithium-zinc, lithium-cadmium and lithium-lead alloys as negative electrodes in organic solvent-based electrolyte

Abstract

The thermodynamic properties of the binary LiZn, LiCd and LiPb alloy systems were investigated in an organic solvent-based electrolyte at ambient temperature. Titration curves showed several intermediate phases existing in each lithium alloy system. There was a wide composition range in Li y Cd (1.5 ⩽ y ⩽ 3), which showed a very low equilibrium potential (below 60 mV) against pure lithium. There was a longer potential plateau in the LiPb system corresponding to Li y Pb (1 ⩽ y ⩽ 3) at about 450 mV against pure lithium. The preliminary charge-discharge and polarization results showed rather fast kinetics for Li y Zn (0.67 ⩽ y ⩽ 1), Li y Cd (1.5 < y < 2.0), and Li y Pb (1 < y < 3).