The capacity utilization of zinc anode is usually very low in dilute alkaline solution or at high rate discharge because of the passivation of zinc surface. This problem can be considerably overcome by use of surfactant additive in electrolyte. In this work, it is found that with addition of 2% sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) in 20% KOH solution, the discharge capacity of zinc anode increases from 360 to 490 mAh/g at moderate discharge rate of 40 mA/g, corresponding to a 35% increase in the capacity utilization. Based on the electrochemical and morphological observation of the anodic passivation behaviors of zinc electrode, this effect is revealed that due to the SDBS adsorption, the passive layer formed on the zinc surface has a loose and porous structure rather than a dense and compact film. This type of surface layer facilitates the diffusive exchange of the solution reactant and discharged product through the surface deposit layer and therefore effectively suppresses the surface passivation of zinc anode. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.