A high-energy-density primary (non-rechargeable) electrochemistry comprising a lithium metal anode and a fluorinated carbon ((CFx)n, where x ~ 0.9 – 1.1) cathode operating in an organic carbonate or ether electrolyte with dissolved LiBF4 or LiPF6. During discharge, the covalent C–F bonds undergo an irreversible conversion reaction: xLi + CFx → xLiF + C, precipitating nanostructured lithium fluoride within an electrically conductive graphitic carbon matrix. Because carbon is an exceptionally light host matrix and the reaction is a non-intercalation multi-electron transfer per unit weight, Li/CFx achieves the highest practical theoretical and cell-level gravimetric energy of any solid-cathode lithium system, combined with virtually zero self-discharge across military, aerospace, and downhole instrumentation.
| Parameter | Value / Range | Notes / Context |
| Nominal Cell Voltage | 2.60 – 2.80 V | OCV: 3.10 – 3.40 V; drops during initial load (“voltage delay”) |
| Specific Energy (Cell) | $450\text{ – }650\text{ Wh/kg}$ | Theoretical limit ~ 2,180 Wh/kg (x=1.0) |
| Energy Density (Cell) | $800\text{ – }1{,}100\text{ Wh/L}$ | High packing density in cylindrical and spiral-wound bobbin cells |
| Operating Temperature | -40 to +85 °C | Extended-temp formulations operate up to +150 °C |
| Self-Discharge Rate | <0.5 %/ year | Exceptional shelf-life exceeding 15–20 years at ambient storage |
| Max Continuous Rate | 0.1C – 0.5C | Poor native electronic conductivity of pristine unreacted CFx |
| End of Life Voltage | 1.8 – 2.0 V | Flat, stable discharge plateau through 85% depth of discharge |
| Reversibility | Strictly Non-rechargeable (Primary) | Thermodynamically irreversible cleavage of covalent C–F bond |