Lab-size rechargeable metal hydride–air cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 195; no. 17; pp. 5810 - 5813
• Main Authors: Hu, Wei-Kang, Noréus, Dag
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.09.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air-diffusion electrodes; Alkaline rechargeable battery; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Catalysts; Chemistry; Devices; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Discharge; Electric potential; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrodes; Electrolytic cells; Energy; Energy density; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen storage alloy; Kemi; Metal hydride electrode; Metal hydride-air cell; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Reduction (electrolytic); Metal hydride–air cell; Air-diffusion electrodes; Alkaline rechargeable battery; Hydrogen storage alloy; Metal hydride electrode; Air diffusion; Hydrogen storage; Air electrode; Alkaline storage battery; Secondary cell; Hydrides; Metal hydride-air cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.03.086

Lab-size rechargeable metal hydride–air (MH–air) cells with a gas management device were designed in order to minimize the loss of electrolyte. An AB 5-type hydrogen storage alloy was used as anode materials of the MH–air. The thickness of the metal hydride electrodes was in the range of 3.0–3.4 mm. Porous carbon-based air electrodes with Ag 2O catalysts were used as bi-functional electrodes for oxygen reduction and generation. The electrodes were first examined in half-cells to evaluate their performance and then assembled into one MH–air cell. The results showed the good cycling stability of the rechargeable MH–air cell with a capacity of 1990 mAh. The discharge voltage was 0.69 V at 0.05–0.1 C. The charge efficiency was about 90%. The specific and volumetric energy densities were about 95Wh kg −1 and 140 Wh L −1, respectively.