Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Li-Alloy/FeS2 thermal batteries are the predominant thermal battery chemistry today. Conventional electrodes are fabricated by cold pressing of powders. A better means of providing thin electrodes would dramatically increase volumetric and gravimetric energy densities and cost efficiency of thermal batteries. In this study, experiments were conducted on fabricating the cathode via high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) and dc-arc plasma thermal spray technique. The deposited films were characterized by cross-section examination using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction. The thermal decomposition of pyrite was suppressed by a proprietary additive. The electrochemical test results showed that pyrite cathodes prepared by dc-arc plasma spraying with additives demonstrated better performance compared traditional pressed-powder electrodes.