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

The characteristics of a lithium-polymer battery which comprises a novel lithium powder-based anode, a LiCoO2-based cathode, and a polyacrylonitrile-based gel-type polymer electrolyte are investigated. Lithium powder with diameter of 20-40 mum is produced by forming a dispersion of molten lithium metal 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 discharge and higher discharge capacity at low temperature compared with a cell prepared with a lithium foil anode. A reduction of polarization due to the large surface area of the lithium powder anode is believed to be responsible for these characteristics. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.