The Gillette Company

Joseph Drennan

David Lloyd Anglin

Francis Wang

James Rozelle

J Simon Xue

Enoch I Wang

Alexander Scheglov

An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, a cathode mixture comprising cathode active material comprising copper oxide or copper hydroxide. Graphitic carbon, preferably expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers are added to the cathode mixture thereby resulting in a sharp drop in cathode resistivity. Addition of sulfur to cathode mixtures comprising copper hydroxide active material improves performance. The sharp drop in cathode resistivity resulting from the addition of expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers makes the cell suitable for use as a primary alkaline cell having good capacity. The graphitic carbon, preferably comprises preferably between about 3 and 10 percent by weight of the cathode. The carbon nanofibers have an average diameter desirably less than 500 nanometers, preferably between about 50 and 300 nanometers.

Alkaline cell with improved cathode including copper hydroxide and a sulfur additive

An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising copper iodate. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphtic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. Preferably, the graphitic carbon comprises graphitic carbon nanofibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers. The cathode can also include sulfur in admixture with the copper iodate to improve cell performance.

Alkaline cell with improved cathode

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Derby, CT, United States of America

Joseph Drennan