Additives for primary electrochemical cells having manganese dioxide cathodes

A primary (non-rechargeable) electrochemical cell comprising an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising potassium hydroxide, a separator and a cathode comprising manganese dioxide, said cathode further comprising an additive selected from the group of compounds consisting of SnO.sub.2, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, CoO, and K.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 and combinations thereof added in admixture with the manganese dioxide, and wherein said additive has the effect of increasing the specific capacity of the MnO.sub.2 in the cathode when the cell is discharged to 0.8 volts.

A primary (non-rechargeable) electrochemical cell comprising an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising potassium hydroxide, a separator and a cathode comprising manganese dioxide, said cathode further comprising an additive selected from the group of compounds consisting of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and PbO.sub.2 and combinations thereof added in admixture with the manganese dioxide, and wherein said additive has the effect of increasing the specific capacity of the MnO.sub.2 in the cathode when the cell is discharged to 0.8 volts.

A primary (non-rechargeable) electrochemical cell comprising an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising potassium hydroxide, a separator and a cathode comprising manganese dioxide, said cathode further comprising PbO.sub.2 additive added in admixture with the manganese dioxide, and wherein said additive has the effect of increasing the specific capacity of the MnO.sub.2 in the cathode when the cell is discharged to 0.8 volts.