Thermal characteristics of a FeF₃ cathode via conversion reaction in comparison with LiFePO₄

The thermal stability of a FeF₃ cathode via a conversion reaction was quantitatively studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mixtures of charged and discharged FeF₃ electrodes and electrolyte were measured by changing the ratio of electrode to electrolyte. A mild exothermic peak was observed at temperatures ranging from 210 to 380 °C for the mixtures of charged electrode and electrolyte even if the electrode/electrolyte ratio was changed. Moreover, the cycling depth had no effect on the thermal stability of the charged electrode in the electrolyte. For the mixtures of discharged electrode and electrolyte, exothermic reactions occurred in the range of 250-350 °C, which varied with the electrode/electrolyte ratio. Although the exothermic reactions of the mixtures varied with the electrode/electrolyte ratio, the thermal risk for both charged and discharged electrodes coexisted with the electrolyte appeared to be mainly due to electrolyte decomposition. By comparing the heat values of mixtures of the charged and discharged electrodes and electrolyte, the FeF₃ electrodes in the electrolyte demonstrated better thermal stability than LiFePO₄ electrodes at elevated temperatures.