High Surface Nickel-based Air Electrode for Rechargeable Alkaline Metal-Air Batteries

In this paper a new concept of a bidirectional air electrode for alkaline rechargeable batteries is introduced. The functionality of this concept, which bases on high surface nickel-foam, is shown by a demonstrator. In order to enable the charging-reaction, the concept integrates the catalytic properties of the nickel-foam based current collector. For the discharging-direction well established catalysts like carbon black or MnO2 can be utilized. Compared to common air electrodes this provides several advantages, like the avoidance of expensive catalysts and a very simple design.