abstract |
High energy density galvanic batteries having high utilization of active electrode material are prepared using voltaic cells having lithium anodes, cathode depolarizers reducible by said anodes such as cupric sulfide, and electrolytes comprising a dioxolane as solvent and up to about 20 weight percent of a conductive non-reactive electrolyte salt such as lithium perchlorate dissolved therein. Optionally up to 50 weight percent of the solvent can be a second solvent which is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic carbohydric ether to reduce battery gassing. Additional small amounts of a tertiary nitrogen base can be added to suppress the tendency of the electrolyte system to form polymer. |