Long life sealed nickel-zinc cell using a new separator

Abstract

Because of internal shorting due to zinc (Zn) dendrite formation at the Zn electrode, nickel-zinc (NiZn) secondary cell cycle life is somewhat less than the NiCd cell cycle life. To solve this problem, a new kind of separator was developed which consisted of nylon non-woven cloth coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) containing boric acid. This separator has a high ionic conductivity, but is resistant to zincate ion penetration. A large number of additives, effective for Zn dendrite suppression, was also tested. From them, bismuth oxide (Bi 2O 3) was selected and added, together with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2), to the Zn electrode. A charging method, applying an intermittent anodic pulse, was found to be effective to reduce the Zn electrode shape change and prolong the cycle life of this cell. By using these materials and investigating a cell construction containing an electrolytic solution and hydrogen gas absorber, sizes AA, C, and D sealed NiZn cells were developed whose charging and discharging cycle life achieved over 500 cycles, for a size C cell.