Zinc and silver migration during rechargeable silver-zinc cell cycling

A study has been established to obtain zinc and silver migration rate data on cellulosic separators derived from a variety of cellulose and cellophane sources in silver-zinc alkaline rechargeable cells. The purpose of the study is to utilize the cycle and wet life data which are, in part, a function of the formation of soft and hard shorting in the rechargeable cell set, to designate a "best" separator for incorporation into actual production cells by the manufacturing community for silver-zinc rechargeable cells. The recommendations will take the form of minimum separator physical properties which are beneficial to cell performance and long life. This paper discusses the data available to date on silver and zinc migration and their relationship to cell cycling at several stages during the cell life.