Preparation and electrochemical performance of novel zinc-based composite powder

Zinc-based composite powder containing cerium compounds was successfully prepared in 10 g L^-1 Ce(NO₃)₃ solution by means of ultrasonic immersion. The formation mechanism of the cerium compounds on the zinc powder substrate was preliminarily discussed, and the effects of the cerium compounds on the cycle and discharge properties of the zinc electrodes were also investigated. The zinc-based composite powder was characterized and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion spectrometry (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and discharge-charge cycle measurements. The results show that the cerium compounds consist of Ce(OH)₃/Ce(OH)₄ and Ce₂O₃/CeO₂, exist in the form of particles and are excellently distributed on the zinc powder substrate. The capacity-loss of the zinc electrodes is evidently suppressed while the discharge capacity and cycle life can be markedly improved due to the application of the zinc-based composite powder as negative materials of the silver-zinc battery. Especially, discharge capacity of 231.4 mAh g^-1 is still achieved at the 50th cycle for the zinc electrode using the composite powder. It is demonstrated that the cerium compounds on the zinc powder substrate enhance the electrochemical performance of the zinc electrodes.