A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS 2 ) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent mixture. The electrolyte contains between about 100 and 2000 parts by weight water per million parts by weight (ppm) electrolyte therein. The electrolyte may contain between about 200 and 2000, or between about 500 and 2000 parts by weight water per million parts by weight electrolyte. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
1. A primary electrochemical cell comprising a housing; a positive and a negative terminal; an anode comprising at least one of a lithium metal and lithium alloy; a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS 2 ) and conductive carbon, said cell further comprising an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent, wherein a water content in said electrolyte is between about 600 and 1000 parts by weight of purified water per million parts by weight electrolyte.
2. The cell of claim 1 wherein the said solvent comprises 1,3-dioxolane and sulfolane.
3. The cell of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte comprises a solvent comprising between about 70 and 80 percent by volume 1,3-dioxolane and between about 20 and 30 percent by volume sulfolane.
4. The cell of claim 1 wherein said anode and cathode are spirally wound with a separator sheet therebetween.