SECONDARY ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS WITH A CHALCOGEN CATHODE

This invention consists of a novel cathode, and a novel method for making such cathode, for use in a secondary electrochemical power-producing cell having an anode containing a molten alkali-metal of low electronegativity, an electrolyte containing alkali-metal ions, and a cathode containing a reactant comprising a chalcogen. The cathode comprises a solid, porous substrate structure, impregnable by the reactant, having interconnected pores. These interconnected pores have their interior surfaces partially coated with a layer of electronically-conducting metal wettable by the electrolyte and are filled with both the electrolyte and the chalcogen-containing reactant. The novel method for making this cathode structure comprises vapor depositing the electronically-conducting metal onto the surfaces of the interconnected pores by vaporizing a volatile compound containing the metal in the presence of an inert gas, and then passing the resulting vapor-inert gas mixture through the porous substrate structure while also passing an electric current therethrough. This structure is then impregnated with both electrolyte and a chalcogen-containing reactant.