Effects of Foreign Ions on Nickel Hydroxide and Cadmium Electrodes

Abstract

The behavior of individual positive and negative electrodes of the sintered‐plate nickel‐cadmium battery system in the presence of foreign ions in KOH solutions has been examined. Carbonate choke: The variation of electrochemical capacity as a function of carbonate contamination of the electrolyte, temperature, and current density was measured for both positive and negative electrodes. The effect of carbonate on the negative cadmium electrode is much greater than on the positive. The general mechanism and the role of intermediate complexes are discussed. Nitrate shuttle: Self‐discharge occurs in cells containing nitrate, as a result of reduction of NO3− to NO2− at the cadmium electrode with subsequent reoxidation to NO3− at the nickel hydroxide electrode. Cations on the positive: Addition of Li+, Ag+ Sb+3, Al+3, and As+3 to the electrolyte had effects on capacity and on charge‐retention of well‐formed nickel hydroxide positive electrodes. Lithium promoted the highest average oxidation, particularly at high temperatures (55°C). Arsenic was the best inhibitor of loss of charge. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Eletrodos modificados por hidróxido de níquel: um estudo de revisão sobre suas propriedades estruturais e eletroquímicas visando suas aplicações em eletrocatálise, eletrocromismo e baterias secundárias

“…Desde suas primeiras publicações em aplicações eletroquímicas, 1 o hidróxido de níquel (ou óxido de níquel hidratado, NiO.H 2 O) tem sido objeto de um grande número de estudos sobre sua aplicação em baterias secundárias. Em aparelhos portáteis comerciais a bateria mais empregada é a de níquel metal-hidreto, onde o hidróxido de níquel é utilizado como o material ativo no eletrodo positivo.…”

Structure and electrochemical behaviors of a series of Co–B alloys

“…Nickel-based rechargeable batteries employ nickel oxide electrodes as the positive plates [1], including nickel-iron (Ni-Fe) [2,3], nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) [4][5][6], nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H 2 ) [7,8], nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) [9][10][11][12] and nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) [13,14] batteries. The Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries were used widely.…”

“…The Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries were used widely. For the high energy and power density with low-cost, Ni-Cd batteries were applied in many areas in a very long time, however, they had been gradually replaced for cadmium was an awful poison that can contaminate the environment [5,6]. Ni-MH batteries using hydrogen storage alloys as the negative electrode material have been drawing increasing attention due to their higher energy density both in terms of weight and volume [10][11][12].…”

An electrochemical and morphological study of the effect of temperature on the restructuring and loss of capacity of alkaline battery electrodes

“…Glarum and Marshal1 21 also find insulating properties at potentials near the region of hydrogen evolution. In contrast, Madou and McKubre 36 indicate that 8 (11) films have a high electronic conductivity. This seems likely in view of the photo-current experiments and also the appreciable hydrogen evolution currents observed on nickel hydroxide films at sufficiently negative potentials.…”