PURPOSE: To largely reduce the amalgamation rate of the zinc powder thereby to attain cost reduction and provide a battery substantially free from environmental nuisance, by using the mixture of amalgamated zinc powder, electrolyte soluble indium compound powder and powder of a water soluble high molecular compound serving as a gelling agent in which an alkali electrolyte is injected.
CONSTITUTION: The gel negative electrode 5 is provided by injecting an alkali electrolyte in the mixture of amalgamated zinc powder, an indium compound such as indium oxide and indium hydroxide soluble in the electrolyte, and a water soluble high molecular compound serving as a gelling agent. And, for example, a water solution of 10mol/l of KOH free from ZnO is used as the electrolyte. The positive electrode 2, the negative electrode 5, the separator 3, and the electrolyte carrier for negative electrode 4 are impregnated with the electrolyte and no free electrolyte is allowed to be present. Since the indium hydroxide mixed in the negative electrode 5 is soluble in the alkali electrolyte, the indium ions are adsorbed to the surfaces of the particles of the amalgamated zinc powder and elevate the hydrogen overvoltage and thereby suppress the generation of hydrogen gas by self-discharge of the zinc electrode.
MIURA AKIRA
TAKADA KANJI
