Enhancing the performance of alkaline zinc-manganese batteries using sodium silicate
HU Yufen
WEN Zhichao
ZENG Yuandi
CHEN Min
Abstract：This study systematically investigates the effect of sodium silicate as an electrolyte additive on the electrochemical performance and storage stability of alkaline zinc manganese batteries(LR6 type)and elucidates its underlying mechanism.The results of the study demonstrate that sodium silicate has the capacity to form a dense zinc silicate passivation film on the zinc electrode surface in situ.The efficacy of the film in impeding direct contact between the electrolyte and active zinc is evident,thereby achieving a substantial suppression of hydrogen evolution,corrosion,and self-discharge.The electrochemical test results show that the discharge time of the battery is extended by 25.9 min under the condition of 0.1%optimized concentration and 3.9 Ω constant resistance discharge,and the internal resistance growth rate is significantly reduced after the storage at room temperature and high temperature.In high-temperature accelerated aging tests,the cumulative gas evolution of batteries containing sodium silicate was found to decrease by 36%compared with the blank group.This result demonstrates the batteries'excellent anti-aging capability.Microscopic analysis reveals that the zinc powder treated with sodium silicate exhibits a smoother and denser surface,a significant decrease in oxygen content,and a uniform distribution of silicon,thereby confirming its corrosion-inhibiting effect from both morphological and compositional perspectives.Additionally,sodium silicate enhances the wettability of the electrolyte on the separator,leading to a reduction in the contact angle from 55.4° to 48.6°.This development fosters the establishment of a homogeneous ion transport pathway,which is a key aspect of the overall performance of the electrolyte.This work confirms that sodium silicate is a low-cost,environmentally friendly,and efficient additive,providing a feasible technical route for enhancing the overall performance and storage life of alkaline zinc manganese batteries.
Keywords：alkaline zinc-manganese batterysodium silicateelectrolyte additivehydrogen evolution corrosiondischarge performance
Publication Date：2026-02-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-13(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：8( 36-43 )