MICROELECTRODE STUDY OF THE LITHIUM PROPYLENE CARBONATE INTERFACE - TEMPERATURE AND CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENCE OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Selected physicochemical parameters useful for characterizing the meta llic lithium electrode exposed to a lithium perchlorate salt in a prop ylene carbonate solvent are reported as functions of temperature and s alt composition. The advantages of using microelectrodes for the measu rements are elucidated. Transport parameters governing the electrolyte -phase limiting current density are found to be independent of salt co mposition over a concentration range of interest for lithium batteries . The Li-Li+ reaction is shown to correspond to classic electron-trans fer theory, with a symmetry factor of one-half, as would be expected f or a strongly solvated ionic reactant. Simplified equations are derive d that allow one to focus on specific aspects of a lithium thin-film b attery, demonstrating the utility of the measured parameters for engin eering design studies.