Additives for improving battery performance via cation adsorption
Electrochemical cells are provided, wherein a metal ion is adsorbed to a manganese dioxide- or carbon-containing electrode due to the addition of a metal additive to the cell's electrolyte and/or cathode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided. In particular embodiments, the electrochemical cells are alkaline electrochemical cells, and the electrode contains manganese dioxide.
1. An alkaline electrochemical cell, comprising:
a) a container; and
b) an electrode assembly disposed within the container and comprising a cathode, an anode, a separator located between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte solution; and
wherein the cathode comprises an active material comprising manganese dioxide;
and the cathode comprises a Ce ion adsorbed on its surface; and
wherein the anode comprises an active material comprising zinc.
2. The alkaline electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte solution comprises a cerium additive in a concentration of 0.0001-1 M, said cerium additive being
a) a cerium salt, wherein the cerium salt additive is a cerium sulfate salt, a cerium carbonate salt, a cerium chlorate salt, a cerium hydroxide salt, a cerium cyanide salt, a cerium cyanate salt, a cerium thiocyanate salt, a cerium nitrate salt, a cerium phosphate salt, or a cerium dichromate salt; or
b) a cerium oxide.
3. The alkaline electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the cerium additive of the electrolyte solution is the cerium salt.
4. The alkaline electrochemical cell of claim 3 , wherein the cerium salt of the electrolyte solution comprises the cerium sulfate salt.
5. The alkaline electrochemical cell of claim 4 , wherein the cerium sulfate salt of the electrolyte solution is selected from the group consisting of Ce(SO 4 ) 2 and Ce 2 (SO 4 ) 3 .
6. The alkaline electrochemical cell of claim 2 , wherein the cerium additive is the cerium oxide.
7. The alkaline electrochemical cell of claim 6 , wherein the cerium oxide is CeO 2 .