Electrochemical cell having electrode additives

Details Electrochemical cell having electrode additives Electrochemical cell having electrode additives

1998-11-13

2001-03-20

Weiner, Laura (Department: 1745)

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Current producing cell, elements, subcombinations and...

Electrode

C429S229000, C429S206000, C429S224000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06203943

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to electrochemical cells including anode and cathode additives and, more particularly, to alkaline electrochemical cells having cathodes formed of manganese dioxide and other additives, and anodes formed of zinc and other additives.
Conventional alkaline cells generally include a steel cylindrical can having a cathode comprising manganese dioxide as the active material and formed on the interior surface of the steel can, an anode comprising zinc powder and located in the center of the cell, a separator located between the anode and the cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte solution simultaneously contacting the anode, the cathode, and separator. A conductive current collector is commonly inserted into the anode active material and a seal assembly provides closure to the open end of the steel can.
A primary goal in designing alkaline battery cells is to increase the service performance of the cell. The service performance is the length of time for the cell to discharge under a given load to a specific voltage at which the cell is no longer useful for its intended purpose. One approach taken to increase service performance has been to increase the interior volume of the cell in order to increase the amount of active materials within the cell. However, the commercial external size of the cell is generally fixed, thereby limiting the ability to increase the amount of active materials within the cell.
Another approach taken to increase the service performance of a cell is to utilize additives within the electrodes of the cell. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,644 discloses the use of SnO
2
, and other similar materials in the cathode. Another example is disclosed in PCT/CA92/00553, having International Publication No. WO93/12551, entitled “CATHODES FOR ZINC MANGANESE DIOXIDE CELLS HAVING BARIUM ADDITIVES.” This reference teaches the use of a barium compound additive such as barium sulfate (BaSO
4
) in an amount of 3% to 25% in the cathode of an electrochemical cell. The aforementioned U.S. Patent and PCT publication are both hereby incorporated by reference. The additives discussed in both references provide for enhanced service performance. Despite past increases in the service performance, the need to find new ways to increase service performance remains the primary goal of cell designers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention improves the service performance of an alkaline electrochemical cell by the addition of a barium compound additive to the anode according to one embodiment, and to both the anode and the cathode according to another embodiment. To achieve this and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and described herein, the anode of the present invention comprises an active anode material such as zinc, and an anode additive comprising a barium compound, such as barium sulfate. According to another embodiment, the cathode of the electrochemical cell comprises an active cathode material, such as manganese dioxide, and also has an additive comprising a barium compound, such as barium sulfate. The anode and cathode of the present invention are particularly adapted for use in an electrochemical cell having an alkaline electrolyte.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5424145 (1995-06-01), Tomantschger et al.
patent: 5501924 (1996-03-01), Swierbut et al.
patent: 5569564 (1996-10-01), Swierbut et al.
patent: 5599644 (1997-02-01), Swierbut et al.
patent: 5766789 (1998-06-01), James et al.
patent: 62-160659 (1987-07-01), None
patent: 7-169464 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 2050638 (1995-12-01), None
patent: 1786546 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 9312551 (1993-06-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrochemical cell having electrode additives does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrochemical cell having electrode additives, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrochemical cell having electrode additives will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2528714