Abstract
Nickel hydride batteries (Ni-MH) are known of their good performance and high reliability at temperatures below 0 °C, which is significantly dependent on electrolyte composition. Here we present the low temperature characteristics of pristine AB5-type alloy, LaMm-Ni4.1Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.45, determined in various alkali metal hydroxide solutions. We found that the combination of KOH with NaOH showed a significant effect of enhancement of low temperature performance of the electrode material and diffusion of hydrogen in the alloy. This 6M binary mixed NaOH/KOH electrolyte, comprising 4M KOH component and 2M NaOH component, made it possible to maintain 81.7% and 61.0% of maximum capacity at −20 °C and −30 °C, respectively, enhancing the hydrogen storage properties of the alloy after reheating to room temperature.
Highlights
Nickel-metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH) are widely used electrochemical power sources
We present a study on the impact of electrolyte composition on low temperature performance of AB5 -type hydrogen storage alloy (LaMm-Ni4.1 Al0.3 Mn0.4 Co0.45 ) used as a negative electrode in Ni-MH batteries
We have reported lanthanum-rich mischmetal (LaMm)-Ni4.1 Al0.3 Mn0.4 Co0.45 hydrogen storage alloy to be used as negative electrode in Ni-MH batteries [24,26,27]
Summary
Nickel-metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH) are widely used electrochemical power sources. Since the use of nickel-cadmium batteries is prohibited for standard applications [6], Ni-MH systems remain one of the most reliable power sources for working at low temperatures below 0 ◦ C, where the electrochemical performance of all battery systems significantly decreases [7]. The capacity of nickel-cadmium batteries at −30 ◦ C decreases to ca. Standard lithium-ion batteries have been able to retain only up to ca. 20% of their capacity at −30 ◦ C, but recent optimization of the electrolyte composition enabled the enhancement of the low temperature performance of Li-ion batteries, which can retain up to 60% capacity at −30 ◦ C, albeit with relatively low absolute capacities [13,14,15] Standard lithium-ion batteries have been able to retain only up to ca. 20% of their capacity at −30 ◦ C, but recent optimization of the electrolyte composition enabled the enhancement of the low temperature performance of Li-ion batteries, which can retain up to 60% capacity at −30 ◦ C, albeit with relatively low absolute capacities [13,14,15]
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