Characteristics of a lithium-polymer battery based on a lithium powder anode

The characteristics of a lithium-polymer battery which comprises a novel li thium powder-based anode, a LiCoO2-based cathode, and a polyacrylonitrile-b ased gel-type polymer electrolyte are investigated. Lithium powder with dia meter of 20-40 mum is produced by forming a dispersion of molten lithium me tal in hot silicon oil and subsequent cooling. The lithium powder electrode is successfully manufactured by coating the slurry of the lithium powder, PVdF binder, and THF on a copper substrate. A lithium-polymer cell with the lithium powder anode shows somewhat longer cycle life at a 1 C rate of dis charge and higher discharge capacity at low temperature compared with a cel l prepared with a lithium foil anode. A reduction of polarization due to th e large surface area of the lithium powder anode is believed to be responsi ble for these characteristics. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.