Abstract: An improved method of beading deformable electrodes is provided which method comprises forming a plurality of spaced depressions, preferably simultaneously, as through the use of a novel beading tool, in at least one surface of a deformable electrode and then adhesively binding nonconductive beads in said depressions so as to collectively form a nonconductive separator on said surface. The method is applicable for use with metallic electrodes such as sintered silver or nickel or cadmium plaque electrodes, the surfaces of which are not subject to easy plastic flow at relatively low pressure, in contrast to silver chloride plates. Preferably the depressions are hemispherical and the beads are spherical so that a substantial portion of each bead extends outwardly from the beaded electrode surface. The dimpling can be carried out effectively through the use of an improved novel tool which comprises a flat plate having a plurality of spaced apertures extending from the top to the bottom thereof at about a 90.

Abstract: An improved method of making a silver chloride and copper chloride-containing electrode comprises forming a minimum melting point mixture of about 47% by weight of silver chloride and about 53% by weight of cuprous chloride and melting this mixture e.g. at about 255.degree. C., cooling the resulting eutectic, as by casting the same, to form solid pieces, and then grinding the eutectic to a powder of e.g. about 100 mesh. This powdered eutectic is then uniformly mixed with a predetermined desired amount of additional particulate cuprous chloride and the resulting mixture is heated in a mold to above the melting point of the eutectic therein to cause the eutectic to melt and bind the particles of cuprous chloride together. Normally the eutectic is in a concentration of about 10% by weight and the additional particulate cuprous chloride is in a concentration of about 90% by weight of this mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an improved catalyst useful for hydrogenation of organic compounds and in other reactions. The method comprises mixing a porous particulate refractory support material with a hydrophobic polymeric binder to form an essentially homogeneous mixture and then catalyzing this mixture by introducing into the pores of the mixture a salt of a metal of the eighth group of the Periodic Table in a non-polar solvent in which the salt is ionizable. Further in accordance with the method, the salt is reduced to the catalytic metal within the pores of the mixture, specifically within the pores of the support material, by contacting with a selected reducing agent, for example, hydrazine or sodium bis (2-methoxyethoxy) aluminum hydride, preferably in solution. A porous structure is formed from the mixture either before or after the catalysis. Preferably, the structure is sintered as a final step.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen electrode comprising a porous sheet of carbon particles catalyzed by platinum or palladium and bonded together with a hydrophobic binder, preferably Teflon, so that the sheet is wetproofed. A conductive metallic screen coated on one side with a hydrophobic binder is laminated on the coated side to the sheet. A battery comprising a stack of the improved hydrogen electrodes, preferably with conductive metallic spacers between the screen of each cell and the cathode of the next adjacent cell forming a bipolar duplex electrode with hydrogen flow passageways to the screen covered face of each anode, is stacked together with an electrolyte filled separator provided between the bipolar relectrodes. The improved hydrogen anode is the anode of the duplex electrode while the cathode of the duplex electrode may be a material such as a porous sintered nickel or silver plaque. The conductive means joining the anode and cathode comprises the metallic screen with or without the metallic spacer present.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas evolution in secondary alkaline batteries which utilize zinc electrodes is reduced by incorporating mercury-free additives in the negative interseparators of such batteries. The additives disclosed herein are certain electrolyte-soluble compounds of lead, cadmium and tin.

Abstract: The improved self-supporting electrode of the present invention comprises a uniform mixture of cuprous chloride, preferably in major proportion and silver chloride, preferably in minor proportion. The electrode may also include a minor proportion of copper metal uniformly dispersed therein. The electrode is primarily used as a cathode, particularly in cells employing sea water as the electrolyte. The cathode preferably is formed by mixing the ingredients together and melting at least the cuprous chloride and silver chloride of the mixture and then casting the mixture and solidifying it so as to cause it to adhere to a current collector such as expanded copper metal. The current collector preferably is at or near the surface of the electrode and helps to support the electrode. The electrode is less expensive than one fabricated solely of silver chloride and yet is more resistant to degradation by humidity and has better electrical properties than conventional cuprous chloride electrodes.

Abstract: Improvements in cell capacity maintenance and reductions in electrode shape change are obtained in rechargeable zinc (-) cells by the inclusion of limited amounts of a titanate compound in the negative zinc electrode.