Effects of ionomer films on secondary alkaline zinc electrodes

Three low cost zinc-ionomers that are directly in contact with zinc electrodes are found to greatly impede the dissolution of zinc discharge products into electrolyte. This reduces the dendritic growth and shape change of the zinc electrodes. Discharge experiments with constant current, anodic polarization experiments and charge-discharge studies are carried out to assess the performance of these ionomers. Scanning electron microscopy is also applied to examine the morphology of the surface of the zinc electrodes before and after 50 charge-discharge cycles. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.