ACTIVATION OF THE CATHODIC PROCESS IN LITHIUM THIONYL CHLORIDE CELLS

Macrocyclic complexes with different donor and acceptor properties as well as pyropolymers on the basis of cobalt tetra(punderbar-methoxyphe nyl)porphyrin and cobalt phthalocyanine were studied in order to see w hether they could raise the power and energy characteristics of primar y cells of the Li/SOCl2 system. The preferred catalyst is polymeric ph thalocyanine, which not only raises the discharge voltage but markedly lowers the passivating tendency of the carbon cathode during thionyl chloride electroreduction. This was confirmed by tests involving model lithium-thionyl chloride cells with electrolytes containing the diffe rent macrocyclic cobalt complexes. The influence of pyropolymers on th e function of the porous carbon cathodes was examined; these materials secure dimensional stability of the cathodes during the discharge of cells of the Li/SOCl2 system.