New electrolyte salts based on the reaction between NbCl5 and either Li2S or Li2O in SOCl2 substantially reduce voltage delay in laboratory half‐cells. The maximum effect was obtained with the NbCl5/Li2S combination. The conductivity of both electrolytes is 13.2×10−3 mho cm−1 at 26°C. Observations with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the anode film formed in the new electrolyte has a different morphology and appears less dense than the film formed in control LiAlCl4 electrolyte. The anodic rate capability of Li is slightly greater, over a range of over‐potentials, in the normalNbCl/Li2S electrolyte than in LiAlCl4 . Atomic absorption, infrared, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis suggest that the salt formed by reacting NbCl5 with Li2S in SOCl2 is either Li2Nb2Cl10S or Li2Nb2Cl12 . The mechanism for reducing voltage delay and affecting anode film morphology is thought to be associated with the nature of the salt's anion, or possibly the SO2 produced when Li2S is combined with the NbCl5 in SOCl2 .

Die Erniedrigung der Einsatzspannung (voltage delay) in Labor‐Halbelementen wird durch die Verwendung von Elektrolyten reduziert, die durch Neutralisation von NbCl5 mit Li2S oder NbCl5 mit Li2O in SOCl2 erhalten werden.