MANUFACTURE OF POROUS LITHIUM-LEAD ALLOY ELECTRODE

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain a large specific surface by forming and burning porous powder which has been generated by adding lead powder, having proper particle size and of which surface has adsorbed moisture, in molten lithium in an atmosphere of inactive gas. CONSTITUTION:Lead powder which is to be alloyed with lithium consists of particles of diameters from 1-10mum and is left to stand in a high humidity to adsorb sufficient moisture on its surface. After melting lithium 2 in an electric furnace 1 in an inactive gas atmosphere, lead powder 3 with moisture adsorbed on it is added in the molten lithium gradually in small quantity at a time. By this, moisture adsorbed on the surface of lead powder reacts with lithium to generate lithium hydroxide. This reaction raises the temperature of the lithium and melts the lead to make lithium-lead alloy. Generated lithium hydroxide decomposes into lithium oxide and water, with a part of lithium-lead scattering in powdery form as water vapor spouts. Scattered powder is collected on a mesh 5 placed outside a crucible 4, and porous lithium-lead is formed on the surface of alloy in the crucible after it has cooled down.