Effect of surfactants and wetting agents on the electrochemical characteristics of Ni/Zn batteries

摘要

Nickel-zinc batteries are an attractive ecologically acceptable electrochemical system characterized mainly by good gravimetric energy density,high discharge acceptance,low cost and excellent safety.Historically,their unsatisfactory cycling stability largely due to electrode shape change,dendrite formation and zinc electrode corrosion are the major obstacles limiting their wider market penetration.In the present study we are investigating and optimizing some arrangement of the Zn active mass composition used as a negative electrode in these batteries.Through the use of various additives and some wetting agents,the substantial influence that the binders have on the performance of the zinc electrode is demonstrated.The use of surfactants,on one hand,reduces to some extent the resistance of the electrode,but on the other hand,increases its weight loss,consequently demonstrating a reduction of the operating cell life.Work in this direction is continuing using other pre-selected binders and surfactants on electrodes having larger size and/or cells configured with more electrode pairs.The use of gelled and/or membrane electrolytes may also lead as an additional barrier toward Zn dendrite formation and thus enhancing and prolong cell life.