Separator materials for secondary alkaline battery systems and method of analytically determining the suitability of such materials

摘要

An analytical system for determining whether separator materials should function satisfactorily in the alkaline environment of a secondary alkaline system comprises determining the rate at which zinc diffusion is occurring as well as whether or not the separator material is serving as a complete barrier. The overall analytical sequence also includes determining the following characteristics of the separator material: (1) freedom from either defects in the film or pores with larger than acceptable sizes, (2) suitability of the porosity, (3) satisfactory electrolyte transport, and (4) satisfactory resistance to chemical attack in the operating environment of the cell or battery system.