Catalysts currently available for increasing the capacity and running potential of lithium/thionyl chloride cells are organic macrocyclic complexes of transition metals. The starting materials are often difficult to prepare, the procedures for the incorporation of the catalysts into the cathodes are often involved, and shelf life and voltage delay on startup after storage often depend upon whether the complex and its bonding to the carbon are stable. While lithium/ thionyl chloride cells offer the best promise for superior energy and power density, their power density is limited partly by kinetic processes at the carbon electrode. An inorganic nonmetallic complex in a tetrachloroaluminate/thionyl chloride electrolyte is being investigated to determine whether it would be capable of acting as a soluble or homogeneous catalyst for the reduction of thionyl chloride during discharge of lithium/thionyl chloride cells. Cells prepared with laboratory glassware or 13/16 inch in diameter times 1/16 inch thick button cells are being used as the experimental vehicles. When successful, the new catalyst would be easily prepared from readily available materials, easily incorporated into cells, and would not increase voltage delay.
