CORROSION OF THE ANODE IN LITHIUM POWER SOURCES

Dependence of the open circuit voltage of the lithium electrode on the composition and properties of the surface film on the electrode is co nsidered. The voltage departure from the equilibrium value is found to be a function of the corrosion rate and the ratio of ionic and electr onic conductivities of the film. This ratio is shown to be related to nonstoichiometry of the surface film and the presence of donor impurit ies in it. Analysis of the experimental results is conducted in terms of the notions on the operation of an electrochemical corrosion cell t ransferred from a gas phase into a nonaqueous-electrolyte environment. The results acquired provide a basis for the description of factors l eading to a decrease in the open circuit voltage and to accelerated ca pacity loss of the lithium cell during storage.