Heavy metal-free rechargeable zinc negative electrode for an alkaline storage cell

A heavy metal-free rechargeable Zinc electrode for use in storage cells having alkaline electrolyte has been developed. The electrode includes a current collector and an active mass based on metallic zinc and zinc oxide powders, calcium hydroxide, indium hydroxide, indium sulfate, bismuth-oxide and a binder. The electrodes have been successfully used in Ni-Zn and Ag-Zn cells. The electrodes lead to environmentally benign alkaline cells. The electrodes have additional advantages over the prior art electrodes in terms of initial capacity and cyclability.