Abstract: A heavy metal-free rechargeable Zinc electrode for use in storage cells having alkaline electrolyte has been developed. The electrode includes a current collector and an active mass based on metallic zinc and zinc oxide powders, calcium hydroxide, indium hydroxide, indium sulfate, bismuth-oxide and a binder. The electrodes have been successfully used in Ni—Zn and Ag—Zn cells. The electrodes lead to environmentally benign alkaline cells. The electrodes have additional advantages over the prior art electrodes in terms of initial capacity and cyclability.

Abstract: A heavy metal-free rechargeable Zinc electrode for use in storage cells having alkaline electrolyte has been developed. The electrode includes a current collector and an active mass based on metallic zinc and zinc oxide powders, calcium hydroxide, indium hydroxide, indium sulfate, bismuth-oxide and a binder. The electrodes have been successfully used in Ni—Zn and Ag—Zn cells. The electrodes lead to environmentally benign alkaline cells. The electrodes have additional advantages over the prior art electrodes in terms of initial capacity and cyclability.

Abstract: An anodic zinc electrode for use in an electrochemical cell comprising: a current collector; and an active material composition applied to the current collector, wherein the active material composition includes Zn and ZnO, and wherein the weight ratio of the Zn to ZnO ranges from approximately 1-2 to approximately 1 which enables the anodic zinc electrode to be associated with an electrochemical cell assembled in a charged or discharged state.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery cell includes an anode with a major portion of active material, a cathode including MnO.sub.2 doped with bismuth, and a separator between the cathode and anode which substantially prevents bismuth from migrating from the cathode to the anode. The rechargeable battery cell has a high cycle life and does not contain toxic compounds found in conventional rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A method of making a rechargeable battery electrode material containing manganese oxide is provided. The method includes preparing an aqueous solution of manganese nitrate and dissolving bismuth nitrate into the solution. The mixture is heated to evaporate the water contained in the mixture and is further heated to facilitate decomposition of the nitrates in the mixture to form a compound containing manganese oxide and bismuth oxide. The compound is maintained at a temperature of between about 200 to 300 degrees Celsius for an additional 12 hours. Thereafter, the compound is cooled and ground to a desired particle size for use as a rechargeable battery electrode material. The compound may alto be mixed with commercially prepared electrolytic or chemical manganese dioxide to obtain a highly rechargeable battery electrode material. A related battery cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a rechargeable modified manganese dioxide material for use as battery electrode is disclosed. The method includes mixing manganese dioxide with an aqueous solution of a water soluble salt component selected from the group consisting of bismuth nitrate, lead acetate, lead nitrate, copper sulfate, copper nitrate, copper chloride and mixtures thereof. An alkaline hydroxide solution is then added to establish precipitation of resultant product. The resultant product is washed, filtered and dried to obtain the modified manganese dioxide material. The material is combined with a suitable conducting reinforcement component and a binder to form a high density, low resistivity electrode material.