The influence of some additives on the electrochemical behaviour of sintered nickel electrodes in alkaline electrolyte

Sintered nickel electrodes containing cobalt and cadmium hydroxides as additives were prepared by anodic polarization in 42 wt.% KOH solution of sintered nickel supports impregnated with mixed metal nitrate solutions. The structural and electrochemical characteristics of these electrodes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge curves. The addition of Co(OH)2 and Cd(OH)2 in active material have been shown to increase the discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency of nickel electrode by improvement of the electrode processes reversibility and by minimizing of the parasitic oxygen evolution reaction.