Development of electrolyte inhibitors in nickel cadmium batteries

- Novel inhibitors were developed to retard CO2 absorption in alkaline electrolytes.
- The kinetics parameters and mechanism of CO2 absorption inhibitors were justified.
- The types and concentrations of CO2 absorption inhibitors were optimized.
- CO2 inhibition resulted in improvement of battery capacity and lifetime.

The aim of this project was enhancement the stability of alkaline electrolyte in nickel cadmium batteries during unavoidable gradually CO2 absorption from the air. As the most concern of nickel cadmium batteries, CO2 absorption intensifies the electrolyte damage via diverting the hydroxide to the carbonate anions leading to depletion of battery capacity and electrical performance. The objectives of this paper are (1) investigation of novel chemical inhibitors to retard the deleterious CO2 absorption in alkaline electrolytes and (2) development of kinetics and mechanisms to justify their behavior. Some homologues of CO2 absorption inhibitors were experimentally examined at different levels and their reaction kinetics and experimental characteristics were determined. The results revealed that low dosages of such inhibitors in alkaline electrolyte of nickel cadmium batteries declines CO2 absorption and hydroxide consumption (or carbonate formation) and increases the lifetime of both electrolyte and electrodes. The experimental achievements were applied in some blocks of industrial nickel cadmium batteries representing a fantastic inhibition of CO2 absorption in alkaline electrolyte.

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