Electroreduction of Cobalt(II) Chloride and Cobalt(II) Fluoride Mixtures in a Thermally Activated Chemical Current Source

The discharge characteristics of the batteries of thermally activated chemical current sources containing CoCl2–CoF2 mixtures as positive electrodes are studied. The compositions and morphologies of the reduction products of the cathodic materials are determined. The use of the mixtures instead of individual cobalt halides makes it possible to stabilize the discharge characteristics and to decrease the discharge temperature of the current source battery. The reduction of Co2+ to metallic Co0 occurs under diffusion-controlled conditions.