Electrochemical evaluation of sintered metal hydride electrodes for electric vehicle applications

Powder-sintered technology for manufacturing thick metal hydride electrodes has been investigated. A slurry consisting of hydrogen storage alloy mixed with fine nickel powder and some additives was pasted onto porous metal substrate. The results with porous metal substrates were compared with those obtained with nickel foam, perforated nickel strips, perforated copper foil and copper mesh. The effect of sintering parameters on the electrochemical properties of the sintered metal hydride electrode has been characterized. The results show that activation and high-rate dischargeability of the sintered hydride electrode was strongly improved compared to that obtained with conventional pasting processes.