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JmI.IRNAI_ I:::IF" T H E ELEP.TRI-IP.

HEMII3AL SI"II IETY

OCTOBER
~----AND T ~ " ~ - ~ N ~ L . ~ ~" ,, , ~ 1

1981

Conductivity of KOH Electrolyte Supersaturated


with Zincate
Ming-Biann Liu,* Brian R. Faulds,z G. M. Cook,* and N. P. Yao*
Argonne National Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Division, Argonne, Illinois 60439

ABSTRACT
The specific conductivity of 7.32N KOH electrolyte with zincate concen-
trations ranging from 0 to 1.5M has been measured. The electrolyte conductivity
was found to decrease with increasing zincate concentration. This finding is
consistent with predictions based on the mixture rule. The equivalent con-
ductance of 7.32N potassium zincate of 7 • 5 mho 9 cm/equiv, m a y indicate
the formation of neutral associated ion pairs from potassium and zincate ions
in the electrolyte. F u r t h e r calculations indicated that the mixture rule yields
predictions of conductivities for the K F - K O H and K2COa-KOH systems that
are in good agreement with experimental data in the literature.

The p r i m a r y purpose of this study was to obtain spe- where y is the molar fraction of zincate species precipi-
cific conductivity data for 7N KOH electrolyte super- tating to form ZnO. Reaction [4] suggests that the
saturated with zincate. These fundamental data are electrolyte is a ternary system consisting of potassium
needed for engineering analysis of zinc porous elec- hydroxide, potassium zincate, and water.
trodes used in alkaline batteries under development Ternary electrolyte theory developed from the p r i n -
for n e a r - t e r m use in electric vehicles. These data also ciple of irreversible thermodynamics has been de-
provide a baseline for the evaluation of modifications of scribed by Miller (7) and Sunu and Bennion (8). To
b a t t e r y electrolyte. predict the transport properties of a t e r n a r y electrolyte
The electrolyte in Ni/Zn batteries is initially about system by using the theory, one has to estimate the
31% KOH (7N) saturated with ZnO. During cell dis- values of six solvent-fixed ionic transport coefficients.
charge, the concentration of zincate has been observed Miller (7) s empirically that, for seven ternary
to rise by three to four times the chemical solubility of alkali halide mixtures at total concentrations ranging
ZnO in KOH solution (1-3). Furthermore, the conduc- from 0.5 to 3N, the ionic transport coefficients (lij) can
tivity of the electrolyte at a given concentration and be closely approximated using lij data from a p p r o p r i -
temperature has been found to decrease linearly with ate binary systems. These estimated values of t e r n a r y
an increasing amount of dissolved ZnO up to saturation l U yield good estimates of transference numbers, con-
concentration (4-6). We have determined the conduc- ductances, and solvent-fixed thermodynamic diffusion
tivity of the KOH electrolyte with zincate concentra- coefficients. In our system, sufficient conductivity data
tions up to twice chemical saturation. for potassium zincate are lacking. Therefore, this
During the discharge of zinc/nickel oxide cells, the theory cannot be used to analyze our conductivity data.
reactions for the zinc electrode may be written as fol- However, the conductance, A123, of the seven alkali
lows halide mixtures can also be predicted at low concen-
Zn + 4 O H - --> Zn(OH)42- + 2 e - [1] trations by the solution mixture rule (7), which states
that
The zincate species m a y also precipitate to form zinc A123 : X2A12 + X3AIs [B]
oxide according to the reaction
where An (i = 2, 3) is the conductance of the b i n a r y
Zn (OH)42- -) ZnO + H~O + 2 O H - [2] electrolyte at the same total equivalent concentration,
N, of the mixture and where the equivalent fractions,
For the nickel oxide electrode, the reaction is Xi, are given by
NiOOH(s) + H20 -{- e - ~ Ni(OH)2(s) nu O H - [3] Nl
X i = - - i=1,2,3 [6]
N~+N8
Thus, the net reaction of the cell system may be written
as X1 = X2 + X8 = I [7]
Zn -{- 2NiOOH(s) H- (2 -- y) H20 + (2 -- 2y) O H - Substituting Eq. [7] into Eq. [5], one obtains
-# (I -- y) I n ( O H ) 4 ~- + 2Ni(OH)s(s) nu y Z n O ( s ) AI~3 = A13 -- (AI3 -- AI~)X~ [8]
[4] In this study, we found that our conductivity data
* Electrochemical Society Active Member. for the KOH-K~Zn(OH)4 system and the data for the
Present address: D e p a r t m e n t of C h e m i s t r y , U n i v e r s i t y of Wis- K O H - K F system (9) and the KOH-K2CO3 system (10)
c o n s i n , Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201.
Key words: mixture rule, K O H - K F , KOH-K2Co3. are consistent with the solution mixture rule.

2049
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2050 J. EZectrochem. Soc.: E L E C T R O C H E M I C A L S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y October 1981

Experimental r e c o r d e r ( H e w l e t t - P a c k a r d 7100 BM). W h e n the r e -


F i g u r e 1 shows the s c h e m a t i c d i a g r a m of t h e e x - c o r d e r i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e p o t e n t i a l of t h e n i c k e l oxide
p e r i m e n t a l apparatus, which consists of (i) zincate electrode h a d d r o p p e d to 0.2V vs. the H g / H g O elec-
g e n e r a t i o n cell, (ii) e l e c t r o l y t e pump, (iii) p o w e r trode, ceil discharge and e l e c t r o l y t e circulation were
supply, a n d (iv) electrolyte reservoir. The Lucite stopped. The nickel oxide electrode was t h e n r e m o v e d
zincate g e n e r a t i o n cell was at r o o m t e m p e r a t u r e a n d r e c h a r g e d in fresh electrolyte in a cell using a
(22~ The v o l u m e of t h e cell was about 125 ml. The nickel plate as a counterelectrode. Subsequently, the
w o r k i n g electrode was an a r r a y of four zinc sticks w i t h .charged n i c k e l oxide electrode was r e t u r n e d to the
dimensions of 0.7 • 0.7 • 10.5 cm; these sticks w e r e zincate g e n e r a t i o n celI a n d the zincate g e n e r a t i o n p r o -
m a n u f a c t u r e d b y J. T. B a k e r Chemical C o m p a n y cess continued. This p r o c e d u r e was r e p e a t e d s e v e r a l
(Phillipsburg, New J e r s e y ) , a n d h a d a p u r i t y of 99.6%. times until the desired level of zincate concentration
To p r e v e n t the r e m o v a l of zincate f r o m the electrolyte, was obtained.
a n i c k e l oxide counterelectrode, o b t a i n e d f r o m Y a r d n e y A f t e r completion of each discharge, time was allowed
Electric C o m p a n y (Pawcatuck, Connecticut), was used. for the e l e c t r o l y t e in the r e s e r v o i r to r e t u r n to 25~
A p o l y p r o p y l e n e separator, p u r c h a s e d from S p e c t r u m Next, 1 ml aliquots of this e l e c t r o l y t e were p i p e t t e d
Medical Industries, I n c o r p o r a t e d (Los Angeles, Cali- for the d e t e r m i n a t i o n of zincate concentration b y t i t r a -
f o r n i a ) , was placed b e t w e e n the two electrodes to tion w i t h 0.1M E D T A ( e t h y l e n e d i a m i n e t e t r a a c e t i c acid)
p r e v e n t electrical shorting. A n H g / H g O r e f e r e n c e elec- w i t h E r i c h r o m e Black T as an indicator. The specific
trode was used to m o n i t o r the electrode po,tentials. c o n d u c t i v i t y of the e l e c t r o l y t e in the r e s e r v o i r was
A n o x y g e n - f r e e n i t r o g e n s t r e a m was i n t r o d u c e d into m e a s u r e d at different zincate concentrations (0-1.52M),
the cell to e l i m i n a t e CO2 f r o m air. The electrolyte using two conductivity cells in conjunction w i t h an
r e s e r v o i r was a 500 m l P y r e x t h r e e - n e c k e d r o u n d - a - c conductivity b r i d g e o p e r a t e d a t a f r e q u e n c y of
b o t t o m e d flask w h i c h was k e p t in a constant t e m p e r a - 1 kHz. The conductivity cells w e r e Models G50 and
ture w a t e r b a t h at 25~ The electrolyte was 7.32N G100 Beckman Instruments, I n c o r p o r a t e d ( C e d a r
K O H ( r e a g e n t g r a d e ) in d o u b l y distilled w a t e r w h i c h Grove, New J e r s e y ) ; the conductivity b r i d g e was
was i n i t i a l l y s a t u r a t e d w i t h zinc o x i d e (0.64M) ( a n a - Model 3I, Yellow S p r i n g s I n s t r u m e n t Company, I n -
l y t i c a l r e a g e n t q u a l i t y ) . No f u r t h e r purification of c o r p o r a t e d (Yellow Springs, Ohio). The cell constants
these m a t e r i a l s was a t t e m p t e d . The e l e c t r o l y t e was w e r e c a l i b r a t e d using 0.1N KC1 (specific c o n d u c t i v i t y
p r e p a r e d w i t h d o u b l y distilled w a t e r . 0.11134 m b o / c m ) (11) and f o u n d to be 50.899 c m - 1 for
A t the b e g i n n i n g of the e x p e r i m e n t , the cell a n d the Model G50 and 99.857 cm -1 for the Model G100. To
the r e s e r v o i r were filled w i t h the electrolyte. D u r i n g m a k e the c o n d u c t i v i t y measurement, the e l e c t r o l y t e
the discharge of the cell, the e l e c t r o l y t e was c o n t i n u - was sucked into the c o n d u c t i v i t y cell a n d a conductance
ously p u m p e d b y a p o l y p r o p y l e n e bellow pump, m a n u - r e a d i n g completed w i t h i n 30 sec. I n this m a n n e r the
f a c t u r e d b y G o r m a n - R u p p Industries (Bellville, Ohio), change in t e m p e r a t u r e is minimal.
from the r e s e r v o i r to t h e b o t t o m of the cell a n d then W h e n the concentration of zincate was above 1.3M,
allowed to overflow from the top of the cell back to w h i t e p r e c i p i t a t e was o b s e r v e d in the electrolyte.
the reservoir. The flow r a t e was a d j u s t e d so t h a t no Therefore, s e v e r a l hours w e r e allowed for the p r e -
gas b u b b l e s w e r e t r a p p e d in the overflow stream. cipitate to settle to the b o t t o m of the reservoir. P o r -
The electrical circuit for the e x p e r i m e n t is i l l u s t r a t e d tions of clear e l e c t r o l y t e were t a k e n for the d e t e r m i n a -
in Fig. 1. To m a i n t a i n a constant c u r r e n t level r a n g i n g tion of specific c o n d u c t i v i t y and zincate concentration;
from 0.6 to 1.2A ( a b o u t 10-20 m A / c m 2 on Zn elec- there w e r e at least two m e a s u r e m e n t s m a d e for each
t r o d e ) , a d u m m y resistor was placed b e t w e e n the determination. F o r one determination, e l e c t r o l y t e t a k e n
w o r k i n g electrode (WE) connector and the reference from t h e r e s e r v o i r was v a c u u m filtered t h r o u g h 0.2
electrode (RE) connector of the W e n k i n g H P 7 2 p o - ~m filter paper. The result of this m e a s u r e m e n t was
t e n t i o s t a t m a d e b y G. B a n k E l e c t r o n i k (West G e r - in a g r e e m e n t w i t h those o b t a i n e d using clear unfiltered
m a n y ) . The p o t e n t i a l of the cell as well as t h a t of the electrolyte. The a v e r a g e u n c e r t a i n t y for a l l the m e a -
n i c k e l oxide electrode w i t h r e s p e c t to t h e Hg/I-IgO s u r e m e n t s was 1.5 %.
r e f e r e n c e electrode w e r e r e c o r d e d on a s t r i p - c h a r t
Results and Discussion
The specific c o n d u c t i v i t y d a t a a l o n g w i t h d a t a o b -
t a i n e d from other studies (5, 6, 9) u n d e r s i m i l a r con-
WENKING HP72 ditions are p r e s e n t e d in g r a p h i c a l form in Fig. 2. This
POTENTIOSTAT figure shows t h a t a least squares fit of our specific
conductivity d a t a is in .agreement w i t h those of the

I I t "-~ ELECTRODE
- - CE1 RE ,~,.vv~.
I I I
0.6 (

E
~ - - ] = ~ 1 ~ z n ELECTRODE
F-
0.4
(D
C~
Z A DIRKSE, 7.4 N KOH, 25~
RESE / MOM O
0.2_ - - 0 BAKER AND T R A C H T E N B E R G , 6.9 N KOH, 25~ __
(D
U_
[] THORNTON AND CARLSON, 7.1 N KOH~ 26.4~
0 THIS WORK, 7.52 N KOH, 25%
UJ
D_
r
~ - ~ PUMP
o I I t
1 I~ ' ~ - ~ CONSTANT 0.5 1.0 1.5 ~-.0
TEMPERATURE ZINCATE CONCENTRATION, M
BATH
Fig. 2. Specific conductivity of KOH electrolytes as a function of
Fig. 1. Experimental apparatus zincate concentration.
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V o L 128, No. 10 CONDUCTIVITY OF KOH ELECTROLYTE 2051

other workers. This figure also indicates t h a t the of p o t a s s i u m ions p e r 2 e - w e r e t a k e n up from the
conductance of the e l e c t r o l y t e m a y be l i n e a r l y c o r r e - charging cell and r e l e a s e d in the zincate g e n e r a t i n g
lated w i t h zincate concentration. A l i n e a r r e l a t i o n s h i p cell. F o r our m a x i m u m zincate concentration of 1.53M,
for conductivity vs. weight p e r c e n t of ZnO was also the concentration of potassium ions is e s t i m a t e d to
o b s e r v e d b y Dyson et al. (4) up to chemical s a t u r a t i o n increase b y a m a x i m u m of 0.15N or 2% of its original
of ZnO in more concentrated K O H e l e c t r o l y t e (namely, value. Therefore, we m a y assume that the concentra-
35-46% b y w e i g h t or 8.3-11.6N). The l i n e a r r e l a t i o n - tion of potassium ions in t h e e l e c t r o l y t e t h r o u g h o u t
ship shown in Fig. 2, b e t w e e n the specific conductivity, the e x p e r i m e n t did not change. W h e n d i v i d e d b y the
k, and the m o ! a r concentration of zincate, Czn(n), can total e q u i v a l e n t concentration (7.32N), Eq. [9] is
be e x p r e s s e d b y the equation t r a n s f o r m e d to

k ---- (0.637 _+ 0.011) -- (0.159 __ 0.009)Czn(n) m h o / c m A~23 = (87 _+ 2) -- (80 __ 5) X2 mho 9 cm~/equiv. [10]

[9] w h e r e subscripts 1, 2, a n d 3 designate potassium,


zincate, and h y d r o x i d e ions, respectively. Thus, f r o m
The slope of 0.16 for this equation is higher t h a n the Eq. [8], it can be concluded that A18 ---- 87 _+ 2 m h o .
slopes e s t i m a t e d f r o m the d a t a a t 25~ given b y Dyson cm2/equiv, and Az3 -- A~2 = 80 ___ 5 mho 9 cm2/equiv.
et al. (4) (slope of 0.13 for 35% KOH, 0.11 for 40% In other words, the a p p a r e n t e q u i v a l e n t conductances
KOH, 0.095 for 46% K O H ) . These values i n d i c a t e d are 87 _-+_-2 mho 9 cm2/equiv, for p o t a s s i u m h y d r o x i d e
t h a t the specific zincate conductance decreases w i t h and 7 _+ 5 m h o . cm2/equiv, for potassium zincate in
increasing K O H concentration. We also found that the electrolyte. W h e n the m i x t u r e rule is a p p l i e d to
the specific c o n d u c t i v i t y of K O H decreases w i t h i n - the clata given b y Dyson et al. (4), values of a b o u t
creasing K O H concentration (k -- 0.64 m h o / c m at zero are also obtained for the conductance of potassium
31% KOH, 0.58 m h o / c m at 40% KOH, and 0.45 m h o / zincate. This low value of e q u i v a l e n t conductance for
cm at 46% K O H ) (4). potassium zincate indicates that p o t a s s i u m ions a n d
The zincate species in the solution of ZnO in K O H zincate ions are l i k e l y to form n e u t r a l associated ion
is Z n ( O H ) 4 2 - as evidenced b y n u c l e a r m a g n e t i c pairs in the electrolyte.
resonance (NMR), Raman, a n d i n f r a r e d reflection If the m i x t u r e rule is a v a l i d a p p r o x i m a t i o n for con-
spectroscopic studies (12-14). I n the s u p e r s a t u r a t e d c e n t r a t e d solutions, then it can be used to e s t i m a t e the
solution, Dirkse (12) i n d i c a t e d t h a t the zincate species conductance of t e r n a r y electrolyte systems f r o m the
is also Z n ( O H ) r 2-. However, Briggs et al. (1) con- a v a i l a b l e conductance d a t a of b i n a r y e l e c t r o l y t e sys-
cluded from t h e i r spectroscopic s t u d y that the zincate tems (19). Conductivity d a t a of the K O H - K F system
species in the s u p e r s a t u r a t e d state is i n i t i a l l y Zn{OH)42- (9) (7.13 ___ 0.16N), the KOH-K2CO3 s y s t e m (10)
and s e q u e n t i a l l y b e c o m e s . [ Z n ( O H ) 3 ( H 2 0 ) ] - and (8.35 _+ 0.23N), and o u r K O H - K 2 Z n ( O H ) 4 system.
[Zn (OH) 2 (H20) 2] as the degree of s u p e r s a t u r a t i o n i n - (7.32N) are plotted in Fig. 3 as a function of e q u i v a l e n t
creases. If there were a n y species other t h a n Zn(OH)42- fraction. It should be noted t h a t t h e r e was a p r o b l e m
in our e x p e r i m e n t , a change in the slope of the plot in with Ref. (10). The d a t a in Ref. (10) w e r e given in
Fig. 1 w o u l d have b e e n detected as was shown in the both g r a p h i c a l and t a b u l a r forms, which was not con-
plots of emf vs. l o g ~ 0 { [ Z n ( I I ) ] / [ O H - ] 4} given b y sistent. It was decided to select t h a t set of d a t a for
Briggs et al. (1). We find no such evidence in Fig. 1. which the K O H values w e r e consistent w i t h those c a l -
Therefore, we conclude that the zincate species in the culated f r o m the table given in Ref. (19). Results of
s u p e r s a t u r a t e d solution is the same as t h a t in the least squares analyses of these d a t a a r e shown in Fig.
solution of ZnO in KOH. Therefore, Eq. [1] is the 3 and Table I. As can be deduced for each e l e c t r o l y t e
electrode reaction. system in Table I, the conductance d a t a of the b i n a r y
According to Eq. [6]-[8], the c o n c e n t r a t i o n of po- system are in good a g r e e m e n t with those for the t e r -
tassium ions is r e q u i r e d to a p p l y the m i x t u r e rule to n a r y system; the m a x i m u m difference b e t w e e n the e x -
our data. The initial concentration of potassium ions p e r i m e n t a l d a t a and the t e r n a r y system d a t a ( o b t a i n e d
was 7.32N. This value m a y be changed in the dissolu- from analyses of b i n a r y d a t a using m i x t u r e r u l e )
tion of ZnO and Zn due to possible change in the elec- shown in Fig. 3 is six e q u i v a l e n t conductance units for
t r o l y t e volume a n d t a k e - u p / r e l e a s e of potassium ions the K O H - K F system and five e q u i v a l e n t conductance
b y the n i c k e l oxide electrode. W e i n v e s t i g a t e d these units for the KOI-I-K2CO3 system.
two possible ways for changing the K + concentration
and found the change to be n e g l i g i b l y small. In the EQUIVALENT FRACTION, x 2
chemical dissolution of ZnO and anodic dissolution of
KOH KF
Zn, the change in the e l e c t r o l y t e volume is small. This .> 0.4 0.8
is justified b y the fact t h a t the a d d i t i v e rule predicts I I I I '
values w i t h i n 1% of the d e n s i t y d a t a given b y Dirkse &o~ ' I '
N 7.15 N KOH-KF
(5) for the solution of ZnO in K O H electrolytes and E A=(114 +1) - (55-+ 2)x 2
o 25~
values w i t h i n 3% of the d e n s i t y d a t a given b y Eisen- oI /h=(90+4)-(45+5)x 2
120 l
berg et al. (15) for s u p e r s a t u r a t e d zincate solutions. E / 7 . 5 2 N KOH-K2Zn(OH) 4
E x p e r i m e n t a l evidences (16, 17) indicate t h a t p o t a s - /25 ~ C

~
G
sium ions a r e t a k e n up b y nickel o x i d e electrodes d u r - 0 80+5)x z
ing ~he .charge cycle, and r e l e a s e d d u r i n g the discharge 801
cycle. A r e c e n t s t u d y b y B a r n a r d et al. (17), indicates
O
that the t a k e - u p / r e l e a s e of potassium ions depends on Z 0~.
0
o
the crystal s t r u c t u r e of the nickel oxide electrode: 40
0.102 tool p e r 2 e - for fl-NiOOH and 0.47 mol p e r 2 e - Z
for ~-NiOOH. H a r i v e l et al. (18) indicated t h a t the ILl
--I
.h=(69 + 2)-141+4)x 2
f o r m a t i o n of fl- and %,-NiOOH depends upon the c h a r g -
ing rate, the state of charge, a n d the e l e c t r o l y t e con- o , I , r , ', I , [ J
0 0.4 0.8 0 0.4 0.8
centration. In our study, the n i c k e l oxide electrode
KOH K2Zn(OH) 4 KOH K2CO3
was c h a r g e d at 6 m A / c m 2 up to 20% of t h e o r e t i c a l
c a p a c i t y (3 A - h r ) in a cell with fresh electrolyte and EQUIVALENT FRACTION, x 2
then discharged in the zincate g e n e r a t i n g cell. U n d e r Fig. 3. Equivalent conductances of KOH-K2Zn(OH)4 system,
such conditions, o n l y fl-phase m a t e r i a l s a r e e x p e c t e d KOH-KF system and KOH-K2CO.~ system as a function of equiva-
to be formed. Therefore, we estimate t h a t 0.102 mol lent fraction.

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2052 J. EIectrochem. S;oc.: ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY October 1981

Table I. Values of A13 and -~la -- A12 obtained from binary system data and least squares
analyses of ternary system data using the mixture rule (Eq. [8])

Binary system data,~ Ternary system data,b


rnho 9cm2/equiv, mho 9cm2/equiv.
Concen. Temper-
Electrolyte tration, N ature, ~ A~ A~ A18 -- A~ A~ als -- a ~

KF-KOH 7.13 25 43 89 46 90 -- 4 45 -----5


IGCO~-KOH 8.35 20 30 70 40 69 ~ 2 41 ~ 4
K~CO~-KOH 8.35 40 44 96 52 94 ----.2 52 -----3
K~CO~-KOH 8.35 60 59 113 54 114 __. 1 55 • 2
IGZn (OH),-KOH 7.32 25 -- 88 -- 87 • 2 80 -----5

9Obtained from Ref. (9) and (10) and this work except for the v a l u e o f An f o r KF, which was calculated from the table given in
Ref. (12).
Ref. (9) and (10) [see text for a discussion of the data from R~f. (10)].
b C a l c u l a t c d f r o m o u r data and t h o s e f r o m

Summary REFERENCES
1. A. G. Briggs, N. A. Hampson, and A. Marshall, J.
1. The specific conductivity of 7.32N KOH electrolyte Chem. Soc. Trans. Faraclay Soc., 70, 1978 (1974).
at different zincate concentrations was measured. The 2. A. Langer and E. A. Pantier, This Journal, 115, 990
conductivity of the electrolyte was found to decrease (1968).
linearly with increasing zincate concentration. This is 3. R. J. Hoffman, H. F. Gibbard, R. J. Ekern, and B. L.
consistent with predictions based on the solution mix- McKinney, Abstract 119, p. 304, The Electrochem-
ture rule (7). ical Society Extended Abstracts, Los Angeles,
2. A least squares analysis of our data by using the California, Oct. 14-19, 1979.
4. W. H. Dyson, L. A. Schreier, W. P. Sholette, and
mixture rule indicates that the equivalent conductances A. J. Salkind, This Journal, 115, 566 (1968).
of potassium hydroxide and potassium zincate (7.32N) 5. T. P. Dirske, ibid., 106, 154 (1959).
at 25~ are 87 • 2 and 7 • 5 mho 9cm2/equiv., respec- 6. C. T. Baker and I. Trachtenberg, ibid., 114, 1045
tively. This low value of equivalent conductance for (1967).
potassium zincate indicates that the potassium and 7. D. G. Miller, J. Phys. Chem., 71, 616 (1967).
zincate ions are likely to form neutral associated ion 8. W. Sunu, Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Los
pairs in the electrolyte. Angeles (1978).
9. R. F. Thornton and E. J. Carlson, This Journal, 127,
1448 (1980).
Acknowledgments 10. M. Nitabah, D. Lucesdi, and P. Degobert, Electro-
chim. Acta, 17, 327 (1972).
This work was supported by the U.S. Department of 11. G. Jones and B. C. Bradshaw, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
Energy, Division of Electrochemical Energy Storage 55, 1780 (1933).
Systems. We thank Yardney Electric Company for pro- 12. W. Van Doorne and T. P. Dirkse, This Journal, 122,
1 (1975).
riding nickel oxide electrodes.
13. G. H. Newman and G. E. Blomgren, J. Chem. Phys.,
43, 2744 (1965).
Manuscript submitted Jan. 28, 1981; revised manu- 14. J. S. Fordyce and R. L. Baum, ibid., 43, 843 (1965).
script received March 25, 1981. 15. M. Eisenberg, H. F. Bauman, and D. M. Brettner,
This Journal, 108, 909 (1961).
Any discussion of this paper will appear in a Discus- 16. M. A. Aia, ibid., 114, 418 (1967).
sion Section to be published in the June 1982 JOUa~AL. 17. R. Barnard, C. F. Randell, and F. L. Tye, J. AppL
All discussions for the June 1982 Discussion Section Electrochem., 10, 109 (1980).
should be submitted by Feb. 1, 1982. 18. H. P. Harivel, B. Morignat, J. Labat, and J. F.
Laurent, "Power Sources 1966," D. H. Collins,
Editor, p. 239 (1967).
Publication costs o~ this article were assisted by Ar- 19. D. Dobos, "Electrochemical Data," Elsevier Scien-
gonne National Laboratory. tific Publishing Co., New York (1975).

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