Rechargeable electrical storage battery with zinc anode and aqueous alkaline electrolyte

An improved electrical storage battery having a zinc containing anode, a cathode containing a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of nickel oxide, AgO, Ag.sub.2 O, MnO.sub.2, HgO, PbO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte wherein the zinc containing anode is comprised of finely divided zinc metal which has been at least 95% electrochemically oxidized in situ, wherein the finely divided zinc metal is electrochemically oxidized in situ by electrically connecting said anode to the cathode in the electrolyte until the cathode is substantially completely discharged as evidenced by the evolution of hydrogen gas therefrom and maintaining the electrical connection between the anode and cathode for a period of time sufficient to oxidize substantially all of the zinc in the anode as evidenced by substantial cessation of hydrogen evolution at the cathode.

An improved electrical storage battery having a zinc containing anode, a cathode containing a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of nickel oxide, AgO, Ag.sub.2 O, MnO.sub.2, HgO, PbO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte wherein the zinc containing anode is comprised mainly of finely divided oxidized zinc particles formed by electrochemical in situ oxidation of finely divided zinc metal particles supported on a substrate, wherein the finely divided zinc metal is electrochemically oxidized in situ by electrically connecting said anode to the cathode in the electrolyte until the cathode is substantially completely discharged as evidenced by the evolution of hydrogen gas therefrom and maintaining the electrical connection between the anode and cathode for a period of time sufficient to oxidize substantially all of the zinc in the anode as evidenced by substantial cessation of hydrogen evolution at the cathode.

An improved electrical storage battery having a zinc containing anode, a cathode containing a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of nickel oxide, AgO, Ag.sub.2 O, MnO.sub.2, HgO, PbO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte wherein the zinc containing anode is comprised mainly of finely divided oxidized zinc particles formed by electrochemical in situ oxidation of finely divided zinc metal particles supported on a substrate and the aqueous alkaline electrolyte contains an amount of an alkali soluble inorganic compound additive adapted to provide a substantial amount of a zincate dissolved in the electrolyte, wherein the finely divided zinc metal is electrochemically oxidized in situ by electrically connecting said anode to the cathode in the electrolyte until the cathode is substantially completely discharged as evidenced by the evolution of hydrogen gas therefrom and maintaining the electrical connection between the anode and cathode for a period of time sufficient to oxidize substantially all of the zinc in the anode as evidenced by substantial cessation of hydrogen evolution at the cathode.

An improved electrical storage battery having a zinc containing anode, a cathode containing a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of nickel oxide, AgO, Ag.sub.2 O, MnO.sub.2, HgO, PbO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte wherein the zinc containing anode is comprised mainly of finely divided oxidized zinc particles formed by electrochemical in situ oxidation of finely divided zinc metal particles supported on a substrate and the aqueous alkaline electrolyte contains an amount of an alkali soluble inorganic compound additive adapted to provide a substantial amount of a stannate dissolved in the electrolyte, wherein the finely divided zinc metal is electrochemically oxidized in situ by electrically connecting said anode to the cathode in the electrolyte until the cathode is substantially completely discharged as evidenced by the evolution of hydrogen gas therefrom and maintaining the electrical connection between the anode and cathode for a period of time sufficient to oxidize substantially all of the zinc in the anode as evidenced by substantial cessation of hydrogen evolution at the cathode.