Rechargeable battery cell with improved high temperature performance
AssigneeOvonic Battery Company, Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Koch, Cristian Fierro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An alkaline, rechargeable electrochemical cell includes a pasted electrode structure in which a composition comprising a paste matrix component includes cobalt in an amount greater than 6 weight percent ranging up to 14 weight percent. The matrix may also include a rare earth such as yttrium. The composition further includes particles of nickel hydroxide dispersed in the matrix, and these particles include cobalt levels ranging from greater than 8 atomic percent up to 15 atomic percent. Cells incorporating these materials have good charging efficiency at elevated temperatures.
Claims20
A positive electrode composition for use in an alkaline, rechargeable electrochemical cell, said composition comprising:
- a matrix material comprising a mixture of nickel hydroxide and a cobalt material comprising cobalt metal and/or a cobalt oxide, and/or cobalt hydroxide, wherein the weight percent of cobalt in said mixture relative to the nickel component thereof is greater than 6% and less than or equal to 14%;
- and
- particles of nickel hydroxide dispersed in said matrix, said nickel hydroxide particles being doped in their bulk with cobalt, the atomic percent of said cobalt being greater than 8% and less than or equal to 12%, said nickel hydroxide particles also having a coating of cobalt oxyhydroxide disposed thereupon.
A method of making an electrode for a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a matrix material comprising a mixture of nickel hydroxide and a cobalt material, said cobalt material comprising cobalt and/or cobalt oxide, wherein the weight percent of cobalt in said mixture, relative to the nickel hydroxide component in said mixture, is greater than 6% percent and less than or equal to 14%;
- providing particles of nickel hydroxide, said particles including a cobalt dopant wherein the atomic percent of said cobalt dopant is greater than 8% and less than or equal to 12%;
- disposing said particles in said matrix so as to form an electrode composition;
- providing a substrate;
- and
- disposing said electrode composition on said substrate.
A positive electrode composition for use in an alkaline, rechargeable electrochemical cell, said composition comprising:
- a matrix material comprising a mixture of nickel hydroxide, a cobalt material comprising cobalt metal and/or a cobalt oxide, and a rare earth material, wherein the weight percent of cobalt in said mixture relative to the nickel component thereof is greater than 6% and less than or equal to 14%;
- and a rare earth material;
- and
- particles of nickel hydroxide doped in their bulk with cobalt dispersed in said matrix, the atomic percent of said cobalt being greater than 8% and less than or equal to 12%, said nickel hydroxide particles having a coating of cobalt oxyhydroxide disposed thereupon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.