High-scattered growth of Y(OH)3 microparticles on zinc powder using an ultrasonic immersion method for superior alkaline battery system

Novel electrode materials have been developed using the modification technique of ultrasonic immersion by metallurgical bonding of Y(OH)3 microparticles with zinc powder. Studies on characterization measurements confirm that the application of ultrasound during the immersion promotes the quick growth of Y(OH)3 microparticles with high-scattered nature and good adhesion on zinc powder. According to cyclic detections of laboratory batteries at a high discharge current density of 250 mA cm−2, the Y(OH)3 microparticles have a beneficial impact on increasing cycle life and lowering capacity loss of batteries. As compared with simple immersion process, it is interesting to note that the much greater discharge capacity is achieved with no prominent fading for the cell using the zinc powder modified with ultrasonic immersion, due to the presence of larger content and better adhesion of Y(OH)3 microparticles. Moreover, the Y(OH)3 microparticles favor effectively the reservation of 322.6 mAh g−1 capacity (more than 66% of the initial capacity at the 1st cycle) after 50 cycles.