In Situ Microtomographic Monitoring of Discharging Processes in Alkaline Cells

Abstract

Alkaline batteries have been in use for about 100 years. They show excellent performance characteristics, a favourable cost structure and are extremely reliable for many industrial and household applications1,2,3,4. The life time of such batteries is strongly correlated with the dissolution process of the zinc particles in the anode material and the deoxidation of the manganese dioxide in the cathode material5,6,7,8.9. Parameters that affect zinc utilisation in alkaline batteries still have to be identified and optimised in order to continue the improvement of the cell performance10. By an in-situ synchrotron tomography experiment the discharging process of alkaline cells LR61 AAAA Varta HighEnergy could be visualized and analysed quantitatively. The focus of attention was the observation of the zinc particles located in the anode electrolyte material of the battery. The complete dissolution process of these zinc particles, i.e. the morphology and spatial distribution of zinc and zinc oxide during discharging is discussed.