RELAXATION PHOTOCURRENTS INTRINSIC TO ELECTRON-EMISSION FROM LITHIUM INTO THE SURFACE PASSIVATING FILM

Kinetics of the photoeffect in the lithium-surface passivating film-no naqueous electrolyte system are studied using a pulsed laser. Kinetic regularities pertaining to photoemission of electrons from metal into an ion-conducting passivating film with or without traps are analyzed theoretically. Comparing experimental and calculated curves shows that the descending portion of the current vs. time oscillogram is describ ed by the equation for a nonsteady-state emission photocurrent in a tr ap-free medium. Diffusion coefficients for electrons are determined fo r passivating films that form at the lithium surface in a 1 M LiClO4 s olution in propylene carbonate mixed with dimethoxyethane (approximate ly 10(-14) m(2) s(-1) at 298 K).