Abstract: A lithium-iodine cell comprising a lithium anode and a cathode comprising an iodine element, a charge transfer complex of an organic donor component and iodine, and a cathode current collector operatively positioned between the iodine element and the charge transfer complex. The iodine element comprises a solid pellet of pure, non-conductive iodine, and the organic donor component of the charge transfer complex is two-vinyl pyridine polymer. The current collector is a screen or the equivalent which allows iodine to diffuse from the iodine element through the collector to the charge transfer complex. The iodine element is optimized for maximum iodine content without regard for conductivity, and the cathode material is optimized for maximum conductivity without regard for excess iodine content.

Abstract: A lithium-iodine cell including a lithium anode, a lithium iodine electrolyte and a cathode comprising a source of iodine in the form of a substantially solid block or pellet of iodine and iodine-containing depolarizer material applied in the form of a relatively thin layer or coating to a lithium surface of the anode and to a surface of the iodine block. The depolarizer material serves to transport iodine ions from the source to the electrolyte, and the material is a charge transfer complex of an organic donor component and iodine such as 2-vinyl pyridine iodide.