ZINC POLYMER ELECTROLYTES IN BATTERY SYSTEMS

We have previously reported results of our studies of structure-conductivity relationships for polymer electrolytes of the form PEO(n).ZnX2. In this paper we report the results of investigations of battery systems based on these electrolytes. Results will be presented for OCV and discharge curves for loaded cells of the type: Zn/polymer electrolyte/MnO2. We are particularly interested in the speciation between oxidation states of manganese as a function of the degree of cell discharge, and have carried out determinations by chemical methods based on polarography. Preliminary studies indicate the presence of Mn(II) in cells discharged at various rates. The discharge times for a series of optimised cells show an exponential decrease with increasing load. This is consistent with a low electrolyte conductivity and less than ideal cathode conductivity, which leads to an increased ''front face'' reaction with increasing load.