Electrode having modal distribution of zinc-based particles
View Patent ↗An electrode containing zinc-based particles suspended in a fluid medium is disclosed. The zinc-based particles have a multi-modal distribution, such as a bi-modal distribution, of particle sizes, particle morphologies and/or particle compositions. The electrode can be used as the anode in an alkaline battery, such as a primary alkaline battery.
1. An electrochemical cell having
a cathode;
an anode comprising zinc alloy particles suspended in a liquid medium, the particles being suspended in a fluid medium, at least 10% by weight, of the particles being of −200 mesh size or smaller, the particles having an effective particle size diameter distribution with a largest peak between 50 microns and 100 microns;
a separator; and
an alkaline electrolyte.
2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the largest peak is between 60 microns and 90 microns.
3. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the largest peak is between 70 microns and 80 microns.
4. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the distribution has only one peak.
5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein at least 25%, by weight, of the particles are of −200 mesh size or smaller.
6. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the zinc alloy particles are generally spherical in shape.
7. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the zinc alloy particles are generally acicular in shape.
8. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the zinc alloy particles are not flakes.