Nickel/metal hydride cells using an alkaline polymer gel electrolyte based on potassium salt of crosslinked poly(acrylic acid)

Abstract

Alkaline polymer gel electrolyte with high ionic conductivity was prepared from potassium salt of crosslinked poly (acrylic acid) and KOH aqueous solution in order to investigate the applicability of the polymer gel electrolyte to alkaline secondary batteries such as nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) battery. An experimental Ni/MH cell was assembled using the polymer gel electrolyte and its charge-discharge and capacity retention characteristics were tested. A similar type of Ni/MH cell was also assembled using a 6 M KOH aqueous solution for comparison. The former cell was found to exhibit rather better charge-discharge and capacity retention characteristics than the latter cell.