Zinc and its alloys have attracted increased interest over
the years because of their application as electrode materials
in alkaline as well as chloride batteries. The interest has
been focused on the relationship between material properties
and the chemistry involved in dissolution and passivation
of zinc electrodes. It has been found that these processes
are greatly influenced by the state of the metal
surface. Hence, a constant search for new agents and
techniques modifying the surface properties of electrode
materials and a growing demand for proper raw materials.
Two procedures are commonly used to modify the surface
properties. One of them consists in using various corrosion
inhibiting agents adsorbed specifically on zinc surface, the
other in subjecting the metal surface to an initial chemical
or mechanical treatment. Despite numerous experimental
data there is still a lack of conclusive information on the
significance of such factors as the surface purity, homogeneity,
smoothness, oxidation, and their role in a particular
electrolyte solution. This is often due to the fact that in
chloride batteries zinc is used in the form of the massive
material, whereas in alkaline batteries it is used as powder.
The use of the same form of samples is necessary to study
the influence of preparation of the sample surface on the
corrosion process in various electrolytes.