Non-flammable, high durability and low cost battery is required for smart grids applications. Zinc-based rechargeable batteries such as zinc–nickel oxide systems are one of the most attractive energy storage systems for such applications due to the advantages of zinc as low cost, abundance, and low toxicity. Higher energy density in terms of both weight (Whkg⁻¹) and volume (WhL⁻¹) is also expected compared with conventional batteries such as nickel–metal hydride [1]. The primary issue limiting use of zinc anodes in rechargeable batteries is the short cycle life caused by dendrite formation upon cycling causing short circuiting [2,3]. In order to solve this problem flow-assisted Zn/NiOOH batteries have been suggested, but this battery needs flowing KOH aqueous electrolyte solution to suppress Zn whisker growth [4].  

In current work, a novel flow-assist free battery was developed to meet the requirements for above mentioned applications. This battery was prepared by electrodeposition of NiOOH cathode and anode, and using an aqueous electrolyte.

Electrodeposition is one of the most economical and facile technique for producing metal/hydroxide electrodes, which used in this work to prepare both NiOOH and Zn electrodes. The electrodes were directly electrodeposited onto three-dimensional carbon fiber paper (CFP) substrates. Both electrodeposited electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, Fig. 1) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) which confirmed formation of NiOOH and Zn, respectively.  

Galvanostatic charge-discharge tests conducted at 0.05 C rate showed that the prepared NiOOH cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 250 mAh/g when used with the electrodeposited Zn anode. Further details of the work will be presented at the meeting.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported under the Technology Commercialization Project (Grant # OK_653) supported by the World Bank and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a research Grant #3756/GF4 from the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan.

References

[1] Y. Ito, M. Nyce, R. Plivelich, M. Klein, D. Steingart, S. Banerjee J. of Power Sources 196 (2011) 2340

[2] R.D. Naybour, J. Electrochem. Soc. 116 (1969) 520.

[3] R.Y. Wang, D.W. Kirk, G.X. Zhang, J. Electrochem. Soc. 153 (2006) C357.[4] G. Bronoel, A. Millot, N. Tassin, J. Power Sources 34 (1991) 243.