THE EFFECTS OF SURFACE ADDITIVES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LITHIUM-ALUMINUM ELECTRODES

Investigations of the effect of surface additives on the performance of lithium-aluminum alloy electrodes were conducted. Predeposition of 4.48 × 10-7 mole/cm2 of indium or magnesium on aluminum wire electrodes led to improved lithium utilization during early cycles but lower capacity retention. The higher lithium utilization was attributed to the more dendritic surfaces formed by the addition of In and Mg. Upon discharge, the higher lithium extraction caused greater depletion of the β-phase LiAl, which held the electrode radial structure together. This in turn led to faster electrode attrition and lower capacity retention. Results of early cycles confirmed the importance of surface effects. © 1979, The Electrochemical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.