Study of the Capacity Loss and Improvement Methods of Lithium-Boron Thermal Batteries

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-086x.2025.01.016

Abstract

Abstract:

Thermal batteries are widely used in various weapon systems due to their advantages， such as fast activation， long storage life， and a wide operating temperature range. However， compared to short-duration thermal batteries， long-duration thermal batteries often exhibit significant capacity loss. The mechanism of capacity loss in long-duration lithium-boron thermal batteries is investigated. The findings indicate that cathode materials with high thermal stability benefit performance during both high- and low-temperature discharges. However， mature thermal battery cathodes currently cannot withstand thermal shock. The dissolution and diffusion of the anode are identified as key factors contributing to the capacity loss. Improvement measures to address these issues are proposed.

Key words: thermal battery, capacity loss, molten salt, negative electrode diffusion, measure

摘要：

热电池因其快速激活、贮存寿命长以及宽广的工作温度范围等优点而被广泛应用于各种武器装备中，相比于短时间工作热电池，长时间工作热电池存在明显的容量损失现象。研究旨在探讨长时间工作锂硼热电池容量损失的机理。研究结果表明，高热稳定性正极材料有利于热电池高低温放电，但目前成熟的热电池正极无法耐受热冲击的影响；负极溶解扩散是容量损失的重要因素，针对所确定的容量损失问题，提出了相应的改进措施。

关键词: 热电池, 容量损失, 熔盐, 负极扩散, 措施

CLC Number:

TJ459

Zhiqiang ZHAN, Mingcan WANG, Huaijie JIA, Shuying DONG, Yujiang CUI. Study of the Capacity Loss and Improvement Methods of Lithium-Boron Thermal Batteries[J]. Modern Defense Technology, 2025, 53(1): 147-153.

占志强, 王明灿, 贾怀杰, 董淑英, 崔玉江. 锂硼热电池容量损失及其改进方法研究[J]. 现代防御技术, 2025, 53(1): 147-153.

Figures/Tables 15

Table 1 Raw Materials for Experimentation

名称	种类
正极	FeS_2、CoS₂
负极材料	LiB、LiSi
电解质	LiF-LiCl-LiBr、LiF-LiCl-LiB-KCl（5%，12%）
加热粉	Fe：KClO₄

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of monomer battery structure

Fig. 2 Schematic diagram of unit cell battery structure

Fig. 3 Load curve graph 1

Fig. 4 Load curve graph 2

Table 2 Output capacities at different currents

负载要求	工作时间/s	容量/（A•s）
按图3加载	1 296	5 184
按图4加载	390	7 800

Table 3 Increase in positive electrode quantity scale

正极用量/g	工作时间/s	容量/（A•s）	备注
11.0	1 296	5 184	常温环境放电
11.5	1 311	5 244	常温环境放电
12.0	1 323	5 292	常温环境放电

Table 4 Comparison of different positive electrodes

正极材料	工作时间/s	容量/（A•s）	备注
FeS₂	1 310	5 240	低温后放电
FeS₂	1 275	5 100	高温后放电
CoS₂	1 330	5 320	低温后放电
CoS₂	1 310	5 240	高温后放电

Fig. 5 Photographs of electrode sheets at different positions

Fig.6 Temperature distribution cloud map during battery stack discharge process at different times

Fig. 7 Comparison photographs of negative electrodes after high and low temperature tests

Table 5 Performance comparison of electrolyte with and without KCl addition

KCl加入量/%	工作时间/s	容量/（A•s）
0	1 296	5 184
5	1 450	5 800
12	1 600	6 400

Fig. 8 Schematic diagram of LiB and LiSi composite application

Table 6 Performance comparison of different negative electrode combinations

负极材料	工作时间/s	容量/（A•s）
LiSi	1 108	4 432
LiB	1 296	5 184
LiB+LiSi	1 322	5 288

Table 7 Performance comparison of thermal gradient design

热量设计	工作时间/s	容量/（A•s）	备注
相同加热片	1 301	5 204	常温放电
中部5个加热片为其余加热片0.7倍	1 411	5 644	高温放电

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