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The electrochemical characteristics of electrodes composed of composites of conducting polymers and alkali‐metal alloys have been investigated. We have found that the addition of poly(p‐phenylene) (PPP) to alkali‐metal alloys greatly enhances the cyclability and the rate capability of alkali‐metal alloys. The impedance of these electrodes has also been studied. The composite electrode combines the capacitive behavior of PPP with the diffusion‐limited behavior of a pure alloy electrode. The conducting polymer component in a composite electrode acts to mediate the transfer of ions between the electrolyte and the alloy.

The relationship of cell potential to degree of oxidation, coulombic and energy efficiencies, constant-current discharge characteristics, energy density and maximum power density of a partly oxidized polyacetylene, [CH(ClO,),] 0, < 0.07), cathode in a cell of the type [CH(ClO,),],ILiClO,ILi are discussed. Coulombic efficiencies ranging from 100 to 86 % and energy efficiencies ranging from 8 1 to 68 %during a chargedischarge cycle are found at oxidation levels ranging from 1.54 to 6.0%. Energy densities of ca. 255 W h kg-' (based on the weights of the electroactive materials involved in the discharge process) are obtained for 7.0% oxidized polyacetylene cathodes under constant-current discharge conditions. Maximum power densities of ca. 30 kW kg-' are observed.

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