The Alkaline Manganese Dioxide Electrode

The reactions occurring during the discharge and charge of manganese dioxide electrodes in are studied by x‐ray diffraction and charge and discharge curves. The discharge at first results in the formation of an amorphous oxide by incorporation of protons and electrons into the lattice. Then the amorphous compound is electroreduced to give and finally depending on the electrode potential. When electrodes are recharged, the amorphous phase is converted to whereas the remains unchanged in the electrode. It is proposed that on recharge is oxidized to . The cause of failure of electrodes during cycling seems to be the formation of a film of around the electrical contact wire.