Electrode Development in a Novel Self-Assembled Lithium Iodide Battery

Abstract

Electrochemically self assembled lithium iodide (LiI) secondary batteries were formed by the electrolytic decomposition of LiI(xH2O) based composites between two current collectors, effectively forming a lithium metal anode and mixed conducting polyiodide cathode in-situ. Through the unique aspects of the chemistry, an interdigitated cell design was utilized for visual and spectroscopic in-situ investigation of the cathode during electrode formation. A detailed study was performed to understand the development of conductivity, both ionic and electronic, and its relationship to structural development during the charging process.