Alkaline battery with a nickel electrode

Abstract

A nickel electrode for an alkaline battery comprises a porous alkaline-proof metal fiber substrate used as a current collector, and active material for the electrode. The active material includes nickel hydroxide powder active material, to which zinc or magnesium is added at a rate in a range of .[.3.]..Iadd.1.Iaddend.-10 wt % or 1-3 wt %, respectively. The zinc and magnesium is in a solid solution in crystal of the nickel hydroxide, and the active material forms principle compound of paste, which is loaded in the electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Active material for a nickel electrode comprising: nickel hydroxide powder active material; and   zinc or magnesium which is added to said active material at a rate in a range of .Badd..[.3.]..Baddend..Iadd.1.Iaddend.-10 wt% or 1-3 wt%, respectively, said zinc and magnesium being in a solid solution in crystal of said nickel hydroxide, and in distribution of pore radii calculated from .[.the.]. a desorption side at nitrogen adsorption isotherm of said powder, development of pore having a radius of 30 Å or more being prevented, and an entire pore volume rate being controlled at 0.05 ml/g or less.   
     
     
       2. Active material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said active material powder, which includes nickel hydroxide and .[.a small amount of.]. said zinc or magnesium, is produced by deposition of sulfate solution thereof as starting material in aqueous solution having pH 11-13 controlled by caustic soda or caustic potash together with ammonium sulfate. 
     
     
       3. A nickel electrode comprising; a porous alkaline-proof metal fiber substrate used as a current collector; and   active material for the electrode;   said active material including;   nickel hydroxide powder active material, to which zinc or magnesium is added at a rate in a range of .Badd..[.3.]..Baddend..Iadd.1.Iaddend.-10 wt% or 1-3 wt%, respectively, said zinc and magnesium being in a solid solution in crystal of said nickel hydroxide; and   said active material forming principle compound of paste, which is loaded in said electrode. .[.4. A nickel electrode as claimed in claim 3 wherein a small amount of cobalt in a solid solution exists in addition to said   
     
     
        zinc or magnesium..]. 5. A nickel electrode as claimed in claim 3 wherein divalent cobalt compound, which forms cobalt complex ion when .[.dissolven.]..Iadd.dissolved .Iaddend.in alkaline aqueous solution, is 
     
     
        added to said active material powder at a rate in a range of 5-15 wt%. 6. A nickel electrode as claimed in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.5 .Iaddend.wherein conductive additives are not included, and .[.the.]. conductivity between said .[.nickel.]. .Iadd.metal .Iaddend.fiber .Iadd.substrate .Iaddend.and particles of said active material is substantially maintained only by 
     
     
        virtue of said cobalt compound additive. 7. An alkaline battery assembled with a nickel electrode as recited in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.without formation, maintained under standing condition one or more days after supplying electrolyte therein, and initially charged after cobalt compound additive is completely dissolved and deposited.