FeF₃/(Acetylene Black and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube) Composite for Cathode Active Material of Thermal Battery through Formation of Conductive Network Channels

Considerable research is being conducted on the use of FeF3 as a cathode replacement for FeS2 in thermal batteries. However, FeF3 alone is inefficient as a cathode active material because of its low electrical conductivity due to its wide bandgap (5.96 eV). Herein, acetylene black and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were combined with FeF3, and the ratio was optimized. When acetylene black and MWCNTs were added separately to FeF3, the electrical conductivity increased, but the mechanical strength decreased. When acetylene black and MWCNTs were both added to FeF3, the FeF3/M(1)AB(4) sample (with 1 wt.% MWCNTs and 4% AB) afforded a discharge capacity of approximately 74% of the theoretical capacity (712 mAh/g) of FeF3. Considering the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, this composition was confirmed to be the most suitable.