Opportunities for Improving the Electrochemical Characteristics of Ni-Zn Batteries using High Temperature Superconducting Ceramic

摘要

Conductive ceramics powders can be used as an additive to form a "highly conductive" network between particles, which help to improve the electrical contact between "charge carrying" electrochemical active materials in the system. Superconducting ceramics are used as additives in order to insure greater longevity of Ni-Zn batteries and to provide an alternative replacement to the widely used Ni-Cd batteries. Such a ceramic powder with the nominal chemical composition of Y_(0.95)Pr_(0.05)Ba_2Cu_3O_(6.96) (YPrBCO) was used as a conductivity additive to the active mass of the Zn electrode. For electrochemical studies electrochemical cells with demountable "button" were developed to simulate real metal body constructions. So, the cell with Y_(0.95)Pr_(0.05)Ba_2Cu_3O_(6.96) superconducting ceramic in the zinc electrode exhibits generally good cyclic operation ability and performance stability. The specific capacity of 150 mAh/g (active mass) opens a real chance to use this material in Ni/Zn system.