Effect of impregnation method on cycle life of the nickel electrode

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7173001

Smithrick, J J

The nickel electrode has been identified as the life limiting component for individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen cells when cycled under a low earth orbit (LEO) cycle regime at deep depths of discharge. As a part of an overall program to develop a long life nickel electrode for nickel-hydrogen cells, the effect of two different methods of electrochemical impregnation on the cycle life of the nickel electrode was investigated. One method was the Pickett (aqueous/ethanolic) process. The other was the modified Bell (aqueous) process. The plaques for both impregnation methods were made by sintering dry carbonyl nickel powder in a reducing atmosphere. The plaques contain a nickel screen substrate. Electrodes made from both processes were cycle tested in Air Force design IPV nickel-hydrogen cells. The only factor different for this test was the method of plaque impregnation; all other factors were the same. The cells were cycled to failure under a 90 min LEO cycle regime at a deep depth of discharge (80 percent DOD). Failure for this test was defined to occur when the cell voltage degraded to 1.0 V prior to the completion of the 35 min discharge.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7173001
• Report Number(s): N-86-31980; NASA-TM-87326; E-3037; NAS-1.15:87326; CONF-860810-43
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250903* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
CHEMISTRY
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
MATERIALS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
NICKEL-HYDROGEN BATTERIES
POWER SUPPLIES
SERVICE LIFE
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
TESTING