Fabrication of the Ni-NiCl2 Composite Cathode Material for Fast-Response Thermal Batteries

• Published in: Frontiers in chemistry Vol. 9; p. 679231
• Main Authors: Tian, Qianqiu, Wang, Jiajun, Xiang, Wendi, Zhao, Jun, Guo, Hao, Hu, Jing, Han, Xiaopeng, Hu, Wenbin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 17.05.2021
• Subjects: activation time; Chemistry; discharge ability; hydrogen reduction method; Ni-NiCl2 composite cathode; thermal battery
• ISSN: 2296-2646; 2296-2646
• DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.679231

Thermal batteries with a high power density and rapid activation time are crucial for improving the fast response ability of sophisticated weapons. In this study, an Ni-NiCl 2 composite was prepared via hydrogen reduction and employed as a cathode material. Discharge tests on a battery assembled using the fabricated composite revealed that its initial internal resistance decreased and the activation time reduced. Notably, the Ni-NiCl 2 cathode increased the energy output by 47% (from 6.76 to 9.94 Wh in NiCl 2 and Ni-NiCl 2 , respectively) with a cut-off voltage of 25 V; the power density of the novel battery system reached 11.4 kW/kg. The excellent performance of the thermal battery benefited from the high electrode potential and low internal resistance of Ni-NiCl 2 . This study contributes to the development of high-performance electrode materials for next-generation thermal battery-related technologies.