Electrolyte for a nickel-iron battery
Providing is a battery comprising an iron anode, a nickel cathode, and an electrolyte comprised of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and a soluble metal sulfide. In one embodiment the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte ranges from 6.0 M to 7.5 M, the amount of lithium hydroxide present in the electrolyte ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 M, and the amount of metal sulfide present in the electrolyte ranges from 1-2% by weight.
1. A battery comprising an iron anode, a nickel cathode, and an electrolyte comprised of sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and a soluble metal sulfide, wherein the amount of sulfide contained in the electrolyte ranges from 0.23% to 0.75% by weight of the electrolyte, the amount of lithium hydroxide in the electrolyte is in the range of from 0.5 to 2.0 M, and with the iron anode comprising a polyvinyl alcohol binder.
2. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the metal sulfide is an alkali metal sulfide.
3. The battery of claim 2 , wherein the metal sulfide is sodium sulfide.
4. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the iron anode contains sulfur or sulfur compounds.
5. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte is in the range of from 6.0 M to 7.5 M.
6. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the amount of metal sulfide in the electrolyte is in the range of from 1-2% by weight.
7. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte ranges from 6.0 M to 7.5 M, and the amount of metal sulfide present in the electrolyte ranges from 1-2% by weight.
8. The battery of claim 7 , wherein the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte ranges from 6.0 M to 7.0 M, and the amount of metal sulfide present in the electrolyte ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 wt %.
9. The battery of claim 8 , wherein the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the electrolyte is about 6.0 M, and the amount of metal sulfide in the electrolyte is about 1% by weight.
10. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the iron electrode is affixed to a two dimensional conductive substrate.
11. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the conductive substrate is a perforated strip or expanded metal.
12. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the iron electrode comprises a three dimensional conductive substrate.
13. The battery of claim 12 , wherein the conductive substrate is a metal foam, metal felt, or metal foil.
14. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the foil is a perforated foil in which the perforation result in burrs that protrude above and below the surface of the foil.
15. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the foil has metallic nickel or iron particles sintered onto the surface of the foil.