A new process for fabrication of metal-hydride electrodes for nickel–metal hydride batteries

Abstract

A new method for fabricating a metal-hydride electrode for nickel–metal hydride (Ni–MH) batteries is reported. An expanded copper alloy mesh was used as the electrode substrate to substitute for the conventional nickel foam or nickel-based substrate in order to reduce the cost and increase the processing efficiency. The effects of addition of a dry conductive binder to the electrode active material, the adherence of the electrode active material to the copper-based substrate under pressure and their effects on the open test cells and commercial cells were investigated. Significant improvements to the discharge capacity and life cycle have been achieved by using this new electrode fabrication technique.