Effect of additives in zinc alloy powder on suppressing hydrogen evolution

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 74; no. 1; pp. 129 - 134
• Main Authors: Yano, M., Fujitani, S., Nishio, K., Akai, Y., Kurimura, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15.07.1998; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Alkaline manganese battery; Applied sciences; Bismuth; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrogen evolution; Indium; Mercury-free; Zinc alloy; Bismuth; Alkaline manganese battery; Indium; Zinc alloy; Hydrogen evolution; Mercury-free; Primary batteries; Additives; Hydrogen; Lead; Alkaline cell; Zinc
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-7753(98)00044-5

The addition of 0.025 wt.% bismuth and 0.025 wt.% lead to zinc particles modified with 0.10 wt.% indium by a dry-coating process, or a conventional wet-coating process is examined to clarify the effect on suppressing hydrogen gas evolution due to the self-discharging reactions of zinc in alkaline manganese batteries. The dry-coating process of indium metal modifies the zinc alloy powder, such that oxidation of the powder is less, and hydrogen-gas evolution is suppressed more effectively than in the case of the conventional wet-coating process. In the dry-coating process, the bismuth diffuses into the surface to be alloyed with the indium. As a result, zinc alloy powder containing 0.025 wt.% bismuth modified with 0.10 wt.% indium (Zn–In–Bi) by the dry-coating process suppresses hydrogen gas evolution on a competitive level with zinc powder containing 0.15 wt.% mercury (Zn–Hg).