The present invention is directed to a zinc electrode of improved type for alkaline batteries of the deferred action or reserve type, which batteries include a silver oxide electrode and a separator. The zinc electrode is provided with a current collector having a foil or grid of aluminum or aluminum alloy therearound adjacent the surface of that electrode. The foil or grid may have an increased surface area provided by a profile which has been etched or otherwise disposed therein. The current collector can include a copper core. The foil or grid can be applied to both sides of the core and a sheet of zinc can be applied to each sheet of the foil or grid. The resulting zinc electrode has increased resistance to passivation which normally occurs at low temperatures and when zinc electrodes are discharged at high current densities. An improvement in the efficiency of the zinc electrode at high current density as well as low temperatures is provided in accordance with the present invention.
