Alkaline storage

When nickel hydroxide is oxidized at the nickel electrode in alkaline storage batteries the black trivalent gelatinous nickel hydroxide oxide [12026-04-9], Ni(0H)0, is formed. In nickel battery technology, nickel hydroxide oxide is known as the nickel active mass (see Batteries, secondary cells). Nickel hydroxide nitrate [56171-41-6], Ni(0H)N02, and nickel chloride hydroxide [25965-88-2], NiCl(OH), are frequently mentioned as intermediates for the production of nickel powder in aqueous solution. The binding energies for these compounds have been studied (55). 

Table 1. Rechargeable Alkaline Storage Battery Systems...

Fig. 1. Electrode combinations for alkaline storage batteries where the substance within the circle comprises the negative electrode and the combinations...

Charger Technology. Alkaline storage batteries are commonly charged from rectified d-c equipment, solar panels, or other d-c sources and... 

M. A. Gutjahr, H. Buchner, K. Beccu, Proc. 8th Ini. Symp. of a new reversible negative electrode for alkaline storage batteries based on metal alloy hydrides, 1974, p. 79. 

S.U. Falk, A.J. Salkind, Alkaline Storage Batteries, Wiley, New York, 1969. 

For alkaline storage batteries requirements are often demanded exceeding by far those for lead storage batteries. The reason is that the suitable materials for the positive electrode are very expensive (silver oxide, nickel hydroxide) and thus the use of these storage batteries is only justified where requirements as to weight, number of cycles, or temperature range prohibit other solutions. Besides a few standardized versions — mainly for nickel-cadmium batteries — this has led to the existence of a large diversity of constructions for special applications [4-6, 108, 109],... 

The prime requirements for the separators in alkaline storage batteries are on the one hand to maintain durably the distance between the electrodes, and on the other to permit the ionic current flow in as unhindered a manner as possible. Since the electrolyte participates only indirectly in the electrochemical reactions, and serves mainly as ion-transport medium, no excess of electrolyte is required, i.e., the electrodes can be spaced closely together in order not to suffer unnecessary power loss through additional electrolyte resistance. The separator is generally flat, without ribs. It has to be sufficiently absorbent and it also has to retain the electrolyte by capillary forces. The porosity should be at a maximum to keep the electrical resistance low (see Sec. 9.1.2.3) the pore size is governed by the risk of electronic shorts. For systems where the electrode substance... 

Nowadays, such hydride electrodes are used widely to make alkaline storage batteries which in their design are similar to Ni-Cd batteries but exhibit a considerably higher capacity than these. These two types of storage battery are interchangeable, since the potential of the hydride electrode is similar to that of the cadmium electrode. The metal alloys used to prepare the hydride electrodes are multicomponent alloys, usually with a high content of rare-earth elements. These cadmium-free batteries are regarded as environmentally preferable. 

Potassium hydroxide is used to make soft soap, in scrubbing and cleaning operations, as a mordant for woods, in dyes and colorants, and for absorbing carbon dioxide. Other principle uses of caustic potash are in the preparation of several potassium salts, acid-base titrations, and in orgainic sytheses. Also, KOH is an electrolyte in certain alkaline storage batteries and fuel cells. 

Ni-Zn Cells These alkaline storage batteries exhibit good performance. They are based on the following electrochemical processes ... 

TABLE 1. RECHARGEABLE ALKALINE STORAGE BATTERY SYSTEMS... 

Lithium hydroxide monohydrate. CAS l3IO-65-2. LiOH H 0 loses water at I0LC. LiOH nidus at 450 C. The compound is soluble in water. The compound is used in the formulation of lithium soaps used in multipurpose greases also in the manufacture of various lithium salts and as an additive lo the electrolyte of alkaline storage bailerics. LiOH also is an efficient, light-weight absorbent for carbon dioxide. 

Lithium-base greases, especially the stearate, are efficient over an extremely wide temperature range up to 160°C. Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is a component of the electrolyte in alkaline storage batteries and is employed in the removal of carbon dioxide in submarines and space capsules. Lithium bromide (LiBr) brine is used for air conditioning and dehumidification. Lithium hypochlorite (LiOCl) is a dry bleach used in commercial and home laundries. Lithium chloride (LiCl) is in demand for low-temperature batteries and for aluminum brazing. Other uses of lithium compounds include catalysts, glass manufacture, and, of course, nuclear energy. 

The Alkaline Storage Battery.—The alkaline or Edison battery is made up of an iron (negative) and a nickel sesquioxide (positive) electrode in potassium hydroxide solution it may be represented as... 

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