Corrosion of Lithium in Alkaline Solution

The corrosion of Li was studied in at 25°C and in at 4°–60°C. The Arrhenius relationship is obeyed and the apparent activation energy for the Li corrosion reaction is found to be 15.5 kcal mole −1 . An empirical relationship is derived from which the corrosion rate can be obtained at any molar . At 25°C . An equation is also given which allows calculation of the Li corrosion rate when the metal is anodically polarized. The kinetics of the evolution reaction (e.r.) on Li were determined, the transfer coefficient α has a value of 0.14. The rate‐controlling process of the Li dissolution reaction is the highly polarized evolution at cathodic sites. Based on the α value obtained, the enthalpy of activation for the e.r. on Li at OCV is calculated to be 22.8 kcal mole −1 . It is proposed that the protective film on Li has a duplex structure with a thin oxide/ hydroxide layer adjacent to the metal and an outer porous hydrated layer through which the reaction products and reactants can pass freely.