Nickel-based batteries dwell between lead acid and Li-ion. They are safe, economical and long-living but are increasingly being assigned to niche markets. Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of present, past and future nickel-based batteries.
Chemistry |
Nickel-cadmium |
Nickel-metal-hydride |
Nickel-iron |
Nickel-zinc |
Nickel-hydrogen |
Abbreviation |
NiCd |
NiMH |
NiFe |
NiZn |
NiH |
Type |
Nickel cathode; |
Nickel cathode; |
Oxide-hydroxide cathode; iron anode with potassium hydroxide electrolyte |
Similar to NiCd; uses alkaline electrolyte and nickel electrode |
Nickel electrodes, hydrogen electrodes, in pressurized vessel |
Nominal voltage |
1.20V/cell (1.25) |
1.20V |
1.65V |
1.25V |
|
Charge |
Taper charger. Constant current; floating voltage |
Taper charger, similar to NiCd |
Taper charger, similar to NiCd |
Not defined |
|
Full charge |
Observing voltage drop; plateau voltage as override |
1.9V |
Not defined |
||
Trickle charge |
0.1C |
0.05C |
Not defined |
No trickle charge |
Not defined |
Specific Energy |
45–80Wh/kg |
60–120Wh/kg |
50Wh/kg |
100Wh/kg |
40–75Wh/kg |
Charge rate |
Can be above 1C |
0.5–1C |
Not defined |
Regular charge |
Not defined |
Discharge rate |
Can be above 1C |
1C |
Moderate |
Relative high power |
Not defined |
Cycle life |
1,000 |
300–500 |
20 years in UPS |
200–300 |
Very long cycle life (>70,000 partial) |
Maintenance |
Full discharge every 3 months (memory) |
Full discharge every 6 months |
Not defined |
Not defined |
Maintenance free; low self-discharge |
Failure modes |
Memory reduces capacity, reversible |
Memory (less affected than NiCd) |
Overcharge causes dry-out |
Short cycle life due to dendrite growth |
Minimal corrosion |
Packaging |
A, AA, C, also in fractional sizes |
A, AA, AAA, C, prismatic |
Not defined |
AA and others |
Custom made; each cell costs >$1,000 |
Environment |
Broad temperature range. Toxic |
Considered non-toxic |
Poor performance when cold |
Good temperature range |
Operates at |
History |
1899, sealed version made commercial in 1947 |
Research started in 1967, commercial in the 1980s; derived from nickel-hydrogen |
In 1901,Thomas Edison patented and promoted NiFe in lieu of lead acid; failed to catch on for ICE, EV |
In 1901, Thomas Edison was awarded the U.S. patent for the NiZn battery |
Problems with instabilities in 1967 caused a shift from NiMH to NiH |
Applications |
Main battery in aircraft (flooded), wide temperature range |
Hybrid cars, consumer, UPS |
German V-1 flying bombs, V-2 rockets; railroad signaling, UPS, mining |
Renewed interest to commercial market with Improvements |
Exclusively satellites; too expensive for terrestrial use |
Comments |
Robust, forgiving, high maintenance. Only battery that can be ultrafast charged with little stress |
More delicate than NiCd; has higher capacity; less maintenance |
In 1990, Cd was substituted with Fe to save money. High self-discharge and high fabrication costs |
High power, good temperature range, low cost but high self-discharge and short service life |
Uses a steel canister to store hydrogen at 8,270kPa (1,200psi) |
Experimental and less common versions are not listed. All readings are estimated average at time of publication.
Detailed information is on BU-203: Nickel-based Batteries
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