The cycling behaviour of zinc electrodes in a nickel oxide-zinc accumulator

Abstract

The behaviour of porous zinc electrodes was investigated by monitoring the potential distribution along the surface of the electrode during charging and discharging in a nickel oxide-zinc battery. Impedance measurements of the zinc electrode were taken as a function of state-of-charge and of the cycle number. The composition of the electrode was varied with HgO and PbO additives. Shape change was observed for all electrodes. The observed potential distribution has led to the tentative explanation that the shape change phenomenon is caused by diffusion of zincate along the surface.

A zinc-air cell employing a packed bed anode

“…Principal difficulties in realizing a commercial zinc-air cell have been shape change on cycling the zinc electrode [8] and a low capacity of the alkaline electrolyte (without any capacity-increasing additives) to contain (either in solution or suspension) the zinc discharge products [9]. The latter difficulty results in the battery performance being burdened by a large volume of electrolyte and several efforts have been mounted aimed at improving the electrolyte capacity by means of additives (e.g., silicates, lithium hydroxide, D-xylose, sucrose, sorbitol).…”

Studies of micromorphology and current efficiency of zinc electrodeposited from flowing chloride electrolytes

“…Zinc is used in the production of bronze and in die castings (7). It is the most common anode in both primary and secondary batteries because of its low reduction potential (8), relatively low equivalent weight and moderate cost.…”