DIMERCAPTAN-POLYANILINE CATHODES FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES - ADDITION OF A POLYPYRROLE DERIVATIVE FOR RAPID CHARGING

A polymer composite cathode prepared from polyaniline and 2,5-dimercap to-1,3,4-thiadiazole shows high gravimetric energy density when it is coupled with a lithium anode. However, charging and discharging curren ts should be 0.05 mA/cm(2) or less, otherwise the cycle life is shorte ned. Addition of a polypyrrole derivative, poly(3-butylcarboxylate-4-m ethylpyrrole) to the composite cathode enabled rapid charging at 0.2 m A/cm(2) without undue deterioration of the energy density, but it was not effective for rapid discharging, This effect of the polypyrrole de rivative may be ascribable to the electrical conductivity in its oxidi zed state.