City Research Online

Abstract

The use of the trichloroisocyanuric acid (T.C.A.) - aluminium system as a seawater activated primary reserve battery has two advantages. It has a high energy density and in addition the electrode materials are cheap to manufacture.

However, the poor storage stability of the cathode has limited its practical use. Under ambient conditions a 10% loss of chlorine has been detected within a period of one week. This phenomenon is thought to be mainly caused by interfacial contact between the T.C.A. and acetylene black. It involves electro-chemical self discharge and free radical and ionic reactions. Several stabilizers such as boric acid (oxide) and zeolites were used in an attempt to reduce the chlorine loss. To date only boric acid improved the stability of the cathode to any extent.

Alternative methods to increase stability of the system have been investigated. For example, the cathode design was altered, the T.C.A. powder being sandwiched in between layers of acetylene black. This cathode design has improved storage stability and Maintained good discharge performance. A mathematical model was developed to describe the discharge characteristic of the sandwich type cathode, it suggests that the discharge is mainly an internal diffusion controlled process.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QD Chemistry
Departments:	School of Science & Technology School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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