A procedure for the quantitative determination of Li2S204 in discharged Li/SO2 cells is described. The amount of Li~SeO4 found in cells discharged to potentials down to zero volt was in very good agreement with the discharge stoichiometry, 2Li + 2SO2 -, Li2S204. The Li2S~O4 has been further characterized by infrared, ESCA, and X-ray analyses. A number of organic compounds including CH4 and 3,5-diamino-2,4-hexenenitrile have been identified in forced overdischarged cells. Products identified in cells that vented during forced overdischarge include: CO2, CS2, COS, tI2S, CH4, C2H4, C2H2, Li2S, and Li2SO3. * Electrochemical Society Active Member. Key words: quantitative analysis, Li~S~O4, Li/,SO2 cells. 1857 ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 128.172.10.194 Downloaded on 2015-03-16 to IP ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 128.172.10.194 Downloaded on 2015-03-16 to IP

Trace and ultra-trace levels of selenium are routinely determined in many laboratories using hydride generation-quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. However, as more is understood about the role of selenium in toxicity and dietary studies, there is an increasing need to provide species-specific information from complex biological and environmental samples. As the hydride generation process requires the selenium to be in the selenium(1v) oxidation state, prior reduction of any selenium(vr) present in the sample is necessary. This step is conventionally accomplished by maintaining the sample at an elevated temperature in the presence of hydrochloric acid, although this approach suffers from a number of disadvantages, including the loss of information on the original selenium species present in the sample. This paper describes an on-line system for the determination of inorganic selenium species in which the sample is first analysed for selenium(~v), and then microwave energy is then used to reduce selenium(v1) and provide a total selenium measurement. As full control of the microwave reduction step is possible, the approach lends itself to a totally automated selenium speciation system. Detection limits and precision are unaffected by the on-line reduction step.

A moderate temperature, rechargeable Na cell having the configurationnormalLiquid Na/β‐Al2O3/Na+‐normalconducting electrolyte/normalTransition metal disulfideis described. The cell operates at ∼130°C. Three transition metal disulfides, TiS2 , VS2 , and Nb1.1S2 , have been evaluated as cathode materials. A 1M solution of normalNaI in 1,2‐Bis(2‐methoxy‐ethoxy)ethane, (triglyme), served as the electrolyte. The mechanism of discharge in all the three cathode materials involves Na intercalation. Experimental results are presented on cathode capacity, rate capability, and rechargeability.

Pressure‐temperature‐voltage relationships in hermetically sealed high rate normalLi/SOCl2 cells have been studied using specially instrumented C‐size cells. The cells generated considerably lower pressures than those expected on the basis of established discharge reactions. This is believed to be due to the SO2 generated being complexed by LiAlCl4 and/or absorbed by the carbon cathode. Li‐limited cells produced lower internal temperatures and pressures towards the end of discharge and during voltage reversal than cathode‐limited cells. In high rate discharge involving >10 mA/cm2, Co‐TAA‐catalyzed cathode cells exhibited higher capacities and lower IR heating than uncatalyzed cells. Li‐limited Co‐TAA catalyzed cathode cells appear to be a desirable design for high rate applications.