Anhydrous electrochemical cell and method for preventing the evolution of gas in such a cell

摘要

A non-aqueous electrolyte cell particularly one containing a beta manganese dioxide cathode wherein the cathode is normally rigorously heat treated to drive off contained water. The heat treatment is substantially reduced or eliminated (allowing up to 2% water by weight of the cathode to remain in the cell) by utilizing as an electrolyte salt in the cell, a salt which reacts with water to only form a weak oxidizing agent which in turn does not react with the electrolyte solvent to form a gaseous product. Alternatively, an electrolyte solvent is initially utilized in the cell, which solvent does not react with strong oxidizing agents to form a gaseous product.