The Composite Insertion Electrode

The specific energy obtainable by discharge of porous insertion electrodes is limited by electrolyte depletion in thepores. This can be overcome using a solid ion conductor as electrolyte. The term "composite" is used to distinguishthese electrodes from porous electrodes with liquid electrolyte. The theoretical basis for such electrodes is discussedand, using a simplified model, equations are derived to describe the distribution of potential and current duringdischarge/charge operation. Under the assumption that the insertion compound particles are small enough to ensureequilibrium, and that the local electrode potential depends linearly on the degree of insertion, these equations are solvedto obtain analytical expressions for the discharge curve. It is shown that the parameters which determine the dischargebehavior for a given discharge current are simply related to the effective ionic and electronic conductivities, the thicknessof the electrode, the volume fractions, and the slope of the potential curve.