THE INVESTIGATION OF NEW ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS
Abstract
An evaluation of new electrochemical systems in aqueous media was undertaken; 2 borides selected as components of cells with Zn anodes were investigated. CaB6 was inert chemically and promoted corrosion of Zn when coupled with Zn in an acid electrolyte. The couple had a potential of approximately 0.71 v. the CaB6 electrode (a cake of boride, carbon black, and electrolyte) was discharged at high rates without severe polarization and provided a substantial energy capacity above an arbitrary cutoff voltage. With Zn as the anode, the closed-circuit voltage at a cathode current density of 6.3 ma/sq in. was fairly steady at slightly over two-thirds the open-circuit voltage in preliminary tests. This corresponds to a 100-ohm load. The energy capacity, determined from discharge through 100 ohms to a cutoff voltage of 0.2 v, varied from approximately 0.15 to 1.8 watt-min per g of CaB6 for standard-size cells containing CaB6 of varying particle size. Investigations of the other boride, ferroboron, indicated that its chemical activity was high in both acid and basic electrolytes; hence it is not a suitable electrode material without corrosion inhibitors. However, fresh cells made with ferroboron cathodes and Zn anodes polarized only 20 mv on instantaneous load through 50 ohms (5.8 ma/sq in.). Their open-circuit voltage was approximately 0.4 to 0.5. v, depending on the B content of the ferroboron used.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0014500
Entities
People
- A. B. Jr. Tripler
- C. L. Faust
- L. D. Mcgraw
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute