A cell operating at 280°C was investigated. The electrolyte is a mixture of , , , and with a eutectic melting point of 258°C. The positive electrode is a gas‐diffusion electrode formed by coating one side of a porous carbon electrode (Union Carbide PC‐60) with PTFE. The limiting discharge current of the cell was controlled by solid‐state diffusion of Li in the alloy. Polarization of the electrode was caused by the low cross‐sectional area of the electrolyte film compared with the pore cross‐sectional area. Deactivation of the positive electrode was caused by impurities, such as Cu + , in the electrolyte. Mathematical models of the negative and positive electrodes in a cell with a gas diffusion electrode have been formulated. A thin film gas diffusion electrode model was used for the positive electrode, while solid‐state diffusion of Li in was assumed to limit the negative electrode and the cell current. The thin film is liquid salt on the porous electrode walls through which chlorine diffuses. Comparison of the experimental results with the model indicate that the diffusivity of Li in is of the order of 10 −12 cm 2 /s.
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Thomas et al. (1989) studied this question.