Alkaline Dry Battery Anode Composition for Low-Temperature Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Alkaline dry batteries experience deteriorated discharge performance in low temperature environments due to the difficulty of electrolyte (water) movement between the positive and negative electrodes, leading to an unfavorable electrolyte balance, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a specific molar ratio of a compound A, such as phosphoric acid or an ester compound A, such as potassium phosphate, and terephthalic acid into the negative electrode active material, which improves electrolyte balance and enhances discharge performance in low temperature conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the battery is discharged in a low temperature environment, then the electrolyte becomes difficult to move between electrodes, but the discharge performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperature environmentVSAvoiddischarge performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the negative electrode by incorporating compound A (having a P-O bond) and terephthalic acid in a specific molar ratio (0.025-2.5). This compositional parameter change modifies the electrolyte's physical properties, specifically improving its flow characteristics and ion conductivity at low temperatures, thereby maintaining discharge performance when the battery operates in cold environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite negative electrode material consisting of zinc-based active material combined with compound A (phosphoric acid or phosphate) and terephthalic acid. This composite structure leverages the synergistic effects of different components: zinc provides the primary electrochemical activity, while compound A and terephthalic acid work together to optimize electrolyte behavior at low temperatures, resolving the contradiction between temperature conditions and discharge performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If phosphoric acid or phosphate ions are contained in the gel negative electrode, then internal short-circuiting caused by crystal growth is suppressed, but the electrolyte movement in low temperature may still be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuppression of internal short-circuitingVSAvoidelectrolyte movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate functional additives into a unified system: compound A (phosphoric acid or phosphate) for suppressing crystal growth and preventing internal short-circuiting, combined with terephthalic acid for improving electrolyte movement. By combining these compounds in a specific molar ratio (0.025-2.5), the patent achieves both reliability (crystal growth suppression) and productivity (electrolyte movement) simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If terephthalic acid with specific particle diameter is contained in the gel negative electrode, then internal short-circuiting caused by gel scattering is suppressed, but the electrolyte balance between electrodes becomes unfavorable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuppression of gel scatteringVSAvoidelectrolyte balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of terephthalic acid by controlling its molar ratio with compound A to be between 0.025 and 2.5. This precise parameter control ensures that terephthalic acid effectively suppresses gel scattering and maintains structural stability, while compound A simultaneously regulates electrolyte balance. The synergistic parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between reliability (gel stability) and composition stability (electrolyte balance)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The inclusion of compound A and terephthalic acid in a specific molar ratio significantly improves electrolyte balance, resulting in enhanced discharge performance of alkaline dry batteries in low temperature environments.

Implementation Method 1

the electrolyte (water) becomes difficult to move (diffuse) from the negative electrode to the positive electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

which has favorable viscosity and ion conductivity in a room temperature environment of around 20° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12603272B2Alkaline dry battery

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An alkaline dry battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte, and the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material containing zinc, a compound A having a P—O bond, and terephthalic acid. The molar ratio of the compound A to the terephthalic acid is 0.025 or more and 2.5 or less.