Low Temperature Performance Characterization of Lithium Sulfuryl Chloride Cells

Abstract

Lithium sulfuryl chloride cells containing various concentrations of , were constructed and discharged at 2.5 mA/cm2 constant current at 25° and −32°C. The solid discharge product in the cathode was analyzed and found to contain only . No sulfur or other lithium salt was found. An explanation of the reduced capacity and decreased operational voltage of these cells discharged at −32°C is offered. At electrolyte concentrations ≥0.75M cathode capacity is primarily limited by conductivity, while for electrolyte concentrations ≤0.75M, diffusion appears to be the limiting factor. The decreased operational voltage for cells discharged at −32°C is due to a decrease in the amount of catalytically produced .