Alpha-Phase Nickel Hydroxide Electrode With Yttrium Oxide for Cold Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alkaline secondary batteries using β-phase Ni(OH)2 as positive electrode active material face limitations in low temperature discharge capacity, with existing additives failing to significantly enhance performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating yttrium oxide (Y2O3) as an additive with nickel hydroxide of α-phase single phase in the positive electrode active material, along with other additives like Nb2O5, TiO2, and Yb2O3, to improve both low temperature discharge and high temperature charge characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If β-phase Ni(OH)2 is used as positive electrode active material, then the battery structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but low temperature discharge capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystal phase parameter of nickel hydroxide from β-phase to α-phase, and optimizes the particle size distribution (D50: 3-10 μm, D10/D90 ratio: 0.4-0.6) to improve low temperature discharge capacity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite positive electrode active material consisting of α-phase nickel hydroxide particles with specific pore structure and controlled composition, combining multiple functional characteristics to achieve both ease of manufacture and improved low temperature performance
2Device complexity
If conventional additives are used in positive electrode active material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but low temperature discharge capacity is not significantly enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific compositional parameters including rare earth metal content (0.1-5 wt%), pore volume (0.3-0.8 mL/g), and particle size distribution to enhance low temperature discharge capacity without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a porous structure with controlled pore volume (0.3-0.8 mL/g) and pore diameter (0.03-0.1 μm) in the positive electrode active material to improve ion transport at low temperatures while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of yttrium oxide and additional additives enhances low temperature discharge capacity by up to 45.8% and improves high temperature charge characteristics, demonstrating improved battery performance across various temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
During battery charge, the active material is oxidized from β-Ni(OH)2 to nickel oxyhydroxide β-NiOOH. During discharge, the nickel oxyhydroxide β-NiOOH is reduced to the original β-Ni(OH)2.
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating yttrium oxide (Y2O3) as an additive with nickel hydroxide of α-phase single phase in the positive electrode active material
Data Source
AI summary
A positive electrode for an alkaline secondary battery has high discharge capacity in a low temperature environment. The positive electrode included in the alkaline secondary battery has a positive electrode active material including 100 parts by mass of nickel hydroxide, and an additive including yttrium oxide. The nickel hydroxide includes an α-phase single phase.