초록 ▼

An anode composition for zinc/air cells comprises a metal binder added to particulate zinc. The metal binder in contact with the particulate zinc is heated to above its melting point. Upon cooling the metal binder solidifies and adheres to the zinc particle surfaces to form agglomerates wherein indi

An anode composition for zinc/air cells comprises a metal binder added to particulate zinc. The metal binder in contact with the particulate zinc is heated to above its melting point. Upon cooling the metal binder solidifies and adheres to the zinc particle surfaces to form agglomerates wherein individual zinc particles are held bound to each other by the metal binder. Gelling agent and electrolyte can then be added to form an anode mixture. The metal binder has a melting point desirably above about 35.degree. C. and below the melting point of zinc. A preferred metal binder for the particulate zinc is an alloy of indium and bismuth (In/Bi). Other desirable metal binders, for example, can be an alloy of indium, bismuth and tin (In/Bi/Sn) or alloy of indium and tin (In/Sn) as well as indium metal. Use of the metal binder in the anode mixture improves conductivity of the zinc particles and replaces the need to add mercury to the anode composition.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A zinc/air cell having an anode comprising zinc particles, wherein said cell comprises less than 100 parts by weight mercury per million parts by weight zinc, said anode comprising a metal binder adhered to at least a portion of the surface of a said zinc particles and

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A zinc/air cell having an anode comprising zinc particles, wherein said cell comprises less than 100 parts by weight mercury per million parts by weight zinc, said anode comprising a metal binder adhered to at least a portion of the surface of a said zinc particles and binding at least a portion of individual zinc particles to form agglomerates, wherein said metal binder has a melting point below the melting point of said zinc and said anode is made by the process comprising contacting said zinc particles with said metal binder being in molten state at a temperature above its melting point but below the melting temperature of said zinc to form a mixture thereof and cooling said mixture whereupon said metal binder solidifies and adheres to the surface of at least a portion of said zinc particles binding at least a portion of said zinc particles together to form a plurality of zinc particle agglomerates held bound together by said metal binder therebetween, wherein said metal binder provides an electrically conductive pathway between said bound zinc particles.