Performance of lightweight nickel electrodes

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5794705

Britton, D L

The NASA Lewis Research Center is currently developing nickel electrodes for nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H2) batteries. These electrodes are lighter in weight and have higher energy densities than the heavier state-of-the-art (SOA) sintered nickel electrodes. In the present approach, lightweight materials or plaques are used as conductive supports for the nickel hydroxide active material. These plaques (fiber and felt, nickel plated plastic and graphite) are commercial products that are fabricated into nickel electrodes by electrochemically impregnating them with active material. Evaluation is performed in half cells structured in the bipolar configuration. Initial performance tests include capacity measurements at five discharge levels, C/2, 1.0C 1.37C, 2.0C and 2.74C. The electrodes that pass the initial tests are life cycle tested in a low Earth orbit regime at 80 percent depth of discharge. Different formulations of nickel fiber materials obtained from several manufacturers are currently being tested as possible candidates for nickel electrodes. One particular lightweight fiber mat electrode has accumulated over 3000 cycles to date, with stable capacity and voltage. Life and performance data of this electrode were investigated and presented. Good dimensional stability and active material adherence have been demonstrated in electrodes made from this lightweight plaque.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5794705
• Report Number(s): N-88-26430; NASA-TM--100958; E--4252; NAS--1.15:100958; CONF-880665--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250902* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Performance & Testing
ADHESION
CHEMISTRY
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
METALS
NICKEL
NICKEL-HYDROGEN BATTERIES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SERVICE LIFE
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS