Lithium secondary battery and cathode composition therefor

A lithium secondary battery comprising:

• a cathode which can be dischargeably charged with lithium ions;
• an anode selected from the group consisting of lithium metal and a lithium alloy;
• and
• an electrolyte which allows migration of lithium ions between both electrodes;
• wherein the cathode contains a halogen compound in addition to a cathode active substance, an electrically conductive agent and a binder, the halogen compound releasing halogen atoms, halogen ions or a reactive halogen containing substance for reacting with the anode and for thereby deactivating the anode to prevent excessive heat generation before oxygen released from the cathode due to a temperature rises reacts with the anode;
• and
• wherein the halogen compound is selected from the group consisting of tetrabromobisphenol S and 4,4′-diiodobiphenyl.