Nickel — Zinc Batteries

Abstract

This type of battery comprises a positive nickel electrode of the sintered or pasted type, similar to that used in the nickel-cadmium battery. The zinc electrode is usually prepared from powdered zinc oxide, often mixed with a Teflon binder, and pressed on to an expanded silver grid. The zinc electrode is made somewhat oversized compared to the nickel electrode and is contoured to minimise zinc anode shape changes during cycling of the cell. Typical separator materials are fibrous sausage skin or cellophane and Perlon wrapping. Potassium hydroxide solutions between 30 and 40 per cent by weight are the usual electrolytes for the cell. Cell constructions, prismatic and flat, are similar to those used for nickel-cadmium cells.