Passivation of Lithium Thionyl Chloride Batteries
Lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl2) batteries are special in many ways; with 3.6 volts, they have the highest cell voltage of any primary batteries available. They are also extremely durable and can be safely stored for long periods of time. This excellent shelf life is the result of another special feature of LiSOCl2 batteries called “passivation”.
Advantage of Passivation: Long Shelf Life
Unlike all other lithium primary cells, the lithium anode of a LiSOCl2 battery reacts with the electrolyte. As a result of this chemical reaction, a protective film of lithium chloride crystals forms over the lithium anode, thus impeding the flow of ions between the battery`s anode and cathode. This phenomenon is called passivation of the cell.
The passivation of LiSOCl2 batteries ensures an extremely low self-discharge rate during storage. On average, a lithium thionyl chloride cell loses only one percent of its total capacity per year. The degree of passivation increases the longer the battery is stored and the higher the storage temperature is.
Disadvantage of Passivation: Voltage Delay
Regarding the shelf life of LiSOCl2 batteries, passivation has a positive effect. However, the passivation must also be considered when the battery is used for the first time. The passivation layer over the battery’s anode obstructs the flow of current and thus provokes a drop in the operating voltage. With continuous operation, the passivation layer is gradually eroded, so the operating voltage raises to its normal level.
This is visualized in the diagram below:
The diagram shows the effects of passivation as a function of the required discharge currents. Low or medium discharge currents as depicted by curves A and B would thus not have a great effect on the battery as the operating voltage will drop only slightly before returning to ist normal level.
However, problems could occur if a lithium thionyl chloride battery is immediately subjected to high discharge currents after a long storage period (curve C). In this case, operating voltage could even drop below the cut-off voltage, thereby using trouble for the application.
Fortunately, there is one effective way to prevent this. Many lithium thionyl chloride batteries are equipped with a “wake-up” function. This is a powerful capacitor, connected with the battery in parallel to compensate for the initial voltage delay.
Depassivation Currents Prevent Re-Passivation
As soon as a lithium thionyl chloride battery has been successfully depassivated, the operating voltage remains constant if current flows regularly. If not, the protective film on the anode’s surface will form again. In order to avoid this re-passivation, specific depassivation currents are defined for each battery type. For an ER14505J battery, for example, a continuous load current of 30 µA is recommended. It is also possible to apply a weekly pulse current of 20mA over a duration of 10 seconds, or a monthly pulse current of the same intensity over a duration of 60 seconds.
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