Method for improving stability of Li/MnO.sub.2 cells

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A method for improving the stability of a non-aqueous cell containing an anode comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and aluminum, said cell further containing a catalytically active manganese dioxide cathode having absorbed water therein in excess of crystalline bound water and an organic electrolyte subject to detrimental gaseous decomposition catalyzed by said manganese dioxide with absorbed water, wherein said gaseous decomposition normally results during the initial extended storage of said cell; said method comprising the step of predischarging said cell prior to said initial storage whereby said absorbed water is reduced such that said manganese dioxide is deactivated as a catalyst with substantially reduced gaseous decomposition of said organic electrolyte.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein said absorbed water comprises up to 1% by weight of said manganese dioxide.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein said anode is comprised of lithium.
4.
The method of claim 1 wherein said cell is predischarged up to 5% of the initial cell capacity.
5.
The method of claim 4 wherein said cell is predischarged up to 2% of the initial cell capacity.
6.
The method of claim 4 wherein said cell is predischarged by short circuiting said anode and cathode.
7.
The method of claim 4 wherein said cell is predischarged by placing said cell under an electrical load.
8.
The method of claim 1 wherein said extended storage is four weeks.
9.
The method of claim 8 wherein said extended storage is one week.
10.
The method of claim 9 wherein said extended storage is one day.
11.
The method of claim 1 wherein said manganese dioxide is substantially beta manganese dioxide.
12.
The method of claim 1 wherein said organic electrolyte contains an electrolyte salt selected from the group consisting of LiPF.
sub.
6, LiCF.
sub.
3 SO.
sub.
3 and LiBF.
sub.
4.
13.
A method for improving the stability of a non-aqueous cell comprising a lithium anode, a catalytically active manganese dioxide cathode with absorbed water therein in excess of crystalline bound water, and an organic electrolyte comprised of a lithium perchlorate dissolved in a mixture of propylene carbonate and dimethoxyethane, said method comprising predischarging said cell up to 5% of initial cell capacity prior to an initial storage period of one week