ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LITHIUM-BORON COMPOSITE

Electrochemical measurements, including a.c. and d.c. techniques, were performed in order to determine the differences between Li-B alloy pr epared at 600 degrees C and Li-B composite prepared at 450 degrees C. Li-B composites can be defined as very finely-grained, physically disp ersed amorphous boron, entrapped in polycrystalline metallic lithium. SEM analysis of electrode surfaces, corroborating the electrochemical measurements, is given. Some experimental problems arising from passiv e layer formation on lithium in organic electrolytes which influence t he reliability and reproducibility of the results are discussed.