The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell (18) having a cathode (24) containing an oxide of copper as an active material, as well as an anode (26), an electrolyte, and separators (32) for use with the cathodes of the invention in an alkaline electrochemical cell.

Separators for alkaline electrochemical cells

An electrochemical cell is presented having an improved separator disposed at the interface of the anode and cathode. In particular, the separator conforms to the contour of the electrode and is thinner than conventional separators made of non-woven fabric. The conformal separator may be formed from combinations of certain polymers and inorganic crosslinking agents.

Conformal separator for an electrochemical cell

The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The anode is configured to operate in combination with a quantity of an oxide of copper in the cathode. The cell is capable of operating at a discharge voltage greater than 1.05 volts for at least an initial 5 % of a cell discharge period at a current density of at least 5 mA/g, and can include a cathode active material that includes an oxide of copper.

Alkaline cells having high capacity

An electrochemical cell is presented having an improved separator disposed at the interface of the anode and cathode. In particular, the separator includes one or more windings of perforated fabric. A conformal separator coating is applied to the fabric and those portions of the cathode that are radially aligned with the apertures. The conformal separator may be formed from combinations of certain polymers and inorganic crosslinking agents.

Perforated separator for an electrochemical cell

A process for making a catalytic electrode containing a transition metal nano-catalyst without using spray or thermal decomposition, and a process for making an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode. The nano-catalyst is a particulate material that includes particles that are at least partially oxidized, preferably to include at least oxide shells, before mixing with an activated carbon and binder in a liquid medium to adhere particles of the nano-catalyst to internal and external surfaces of the particles of activated carbon. Oxidation of the nano-catalyst particles allows the mixing of the nano-catalyst, activated carbon and binder in air rather than an inert gas atmosphere and can avoid the use of potentially dangerous liquid media such as highly volatile alcohols.

Electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode and process for making the electrode and the cell

The performance characteristics of alkaline manganese dioxide cells are improved by applying a thin, polymeric coating to the inner surface of an unplated steel positive current collector, and treating the current collector with an aqueous solution of sodium silicate before or after the coating is applied to the inner surface. Silicic acid may also be added to the coating before its application to the inner surface of the current collector. In either embodiment of the invention, sodium silicate or silicic acid may also be added to the cathode mixture. The polymeric coating comprises, in combination, a first film forming binder component and a second component comprising an electrically conductive component such as carbon or a filler. The combination of the coating and the sodium silicate or silicic acid treatment of the current collector reduces the internal resistance of the cell, and may even be used on unplated steel.

Joseph L. Passaniti

Papers

Alkaline manganese dioxide electrochemical cell having coated can treated with sodium silicate