Zinc particulate cathode

Zn(OH)2 is soluble in the alkaline solution as [Zn(OH)3]- until the solution is saturated with K[Zn(OH)3]. In addition Zn(OH)2 can be dehydrated to ZnO. An enhanced power density (when compared with the - Leclanche cell) is accomplished by using particulate zinc (flakes) soaked with the alkaline electrolyte solution. This anode cannot be used as a cell vessel like in the Leclanche cell. Instead it is mounted in the core of the cell surrounded by the separator the manganese dioxide cathode is pressed on the inside of the nickel-plated steel can used as battery container. In order to limit self-discharge by corrosion of zinc in early cells mercury was added, which coated the zinc effectively and suppressed hydrogen evolution because of the extremely low exchange current density... 

Certain proprietary zinc and aluminum filled polymers and some ion vapor deposited aluminum coatings, applied to steel fasteners may actually produce more damage than the untreated steel fastener itself. This was attributed to two possible causes either the high surface area involved with each of the particulate coatings or the contamination of the particulate surface with active cathodic contaminants such as iron, nickel, or graphite ... 

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