The effect of palladium coating on hydrogen storage alloy electrodes for nickel/metal hydride batteries

Abstract

Charge / discharge studies carried out on Pd - coated misch metal - based alloys for use in nickel-metal hydride batteries are presented. The effect of Pd coating on the voltammetric characteristics, life cycle behavior, and rate capability of the alloy electrodes was determined. The number of cycles required to activate the alloy electrodes decreases with an increase in the Pd content. The results also show that Pd - coated alloys exhibit higher storage capacities and better performance than bare alloys.This improved performance can be attributed to the catalytic effect of Pd on the hydrogen electrode reaction.