The proposed program relates to the evaluation of a new cathode catalyst in disk-type li/soc12 cells. This new catalyst has been shown to change the cathode reaction mechanism and to increase both cathode RATR (factor of ten) and capacity (factor of at least two) in bobbin YPE li/soc12 cells. The new mechanism results in a decrease in cathode over potential (less licl) and a safer li/soc12 cell. Successful completion of the proposed program will result in providing the military with a safe, high energy/power density battery system capable of meeting the DARPA performance requirements (400 w/kg), including low temperature operation, of a multipurpose high-rate power source. The major objective of the program is to demonstrate that multielectrode catalyzed-cathode li/soc12 cells have improved performance; cell component optimization will also be carried out. The program approach is to make catalyzed-cathode multielectrode li/soc12 cells, and to test their performance at high and moderate rate at room temperature as a function of electrode gap, electrolyte salt concentration, and cathode thickness.
