Implementation of stable electrochemical performance using a Fe0.01ZnO anodic material in alkaline Ni-Zn redox battery

Nanometer sized ZnO and Fe0.01ZnO materials are synthesized by modified sol gel method to improve electrochemical performance of alkaline Ni-Zn batteries. The samples have been characterized and tested using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), zeta potentials, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge and discharge cycles. Pure ZnO shows a nano-rod morphology with 20 nm × 40 nm in size, otherwise, the Fe addition exhibits spherical particles <15 nm in size. Fe0.01ZnO displays high power, higher capacity and longer life cycle for rechargeable alkaline Ni-Zn battery. The capacity in Ni-Fe0.01ZnO battery was 230 mA h g−1 and it was higher than 180 mA h g−1 in Ni-ZnO battery after cycling at current density 30 mA cm−2. Moreover, it is found that dendrite growth is suppressed on the zinc electrode during charge-discharge cycles. These results indicate that the small amount of Fe inserted into the lattice of the ZnO framework produces promising electrodes for use in Ni-Zn batteries.