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Title: Active material redistribution rates in zinc electrodes: effect of alkaline electrolyte compositions having reduced zinc oxide solubility

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5046069

A series of electrolytes with low hydroxide concentration (approx. 3.5M OH/sup -/) have been tested in 1.35 Ah tri-electrode Zn/NiOOH cells for their ability to reduce zinc redistribution rates. Three electrolytes were evaluated: a 3.5M OH/sup -/ electrolyte, a 3.5M OH/sup -/ to 3.4M F/sup -/ electrolyte, and a hydroxide-borate electrolyte. The electrolytes were chosen to have a ZnO solubility approximately 25% of that in the standard 30% KOH-1% LiOH electrolyte (7.4 M OH/sup -/). A 6-hour charge rate and a 2.5-hour discharge rate were employed for the Teflon-bonded, zinc oxide electrodes, to which 2% PbO was added to reduce hydrogen evolution. The zinc redistribution rates were found to be lower for the electrolytes with reduced ZnO solubility. In addition, no zinc penetration of the separator occurred for some of the electrolytes, even with overpotentials of 100 to 290 mV. After 125 cycles, none of the cell capacities were limited by the zinc electrode during discharge, less than 2% inactive zinc was found in the zinc electrodes cycled in the hydroxide-fluoride and borate electrolytes.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
5046069
Report Number(s):
LBL-17397; ON: DE84010709
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Thesis. Submitted by J.T. Nichols
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English