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: A mercury-free negative zinc electrode is described for use in secondary alkaline electrochemical cells. It contains an active zinc material and lead acetate or cadmium acetate substantially homogeneously dispersed in a non-ionic binder which is an hydroxy alkyl cellulose. The aforementioned constituents are typically admixed to form a paste which is compressed against opposing sides of a current collector to form a zinc electrode.

Abstract: Semi-permeable silver-impregnated cellulosic materials for use as electrochemical cell separators are provided with a titanium-silver complex content by subjecting a cell in which the silver-impregnated cellulosic material is employed as a separator and which contains an ionizeable titanium-containing compound, to a series of discharge/charge cycles.

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.

Abstract: A negative interseparator for use as a component in a separator system for alkaline rechargeable batteries comprises about 50% to 95% by weight of a titanate material such as potassium titanate, a matrix-forming fibrous material, and a thickening agent for use in forming the interseparator. The negative interseparator is interposed between the negative electrode and "main separator" in the aforementioned batteries.