The electrochemical characteristics and performance of fluorinated graphites (FGs) and its application in conventional alkaline batteries were investigated. FG as a cathode additive in alkaline batteries can improve the discharge performance significantly. The discharge performances of alkaline batteries in which the cathode contained a different weight percentage of FG and those with a fixed weight percent of FG with different fluorine contents were measured. The storage stability of cells with various test cathodes was determined. XRD studies were carried out on different graphites, on FG, and on various types of cathode samples before and after discharge. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.