Battery and Energy Technologies

Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries

Characteristics

Nickel-metal-hydride batteries are related to sealed nickel-cadmium batteries and only differ from them in that instead of cadmium, hydrogen is used as the active element at a hydrogen-absorbing negative electrode (anode). This electrode is made from a metal hydride usually alloys of Lanthanum and rare earths that serve as a solid source of reduced hydrogen that can be oxidized to form protons. The electrolyte is alkaline potassium hydroxide. Cell voltage is 1.2 Volts

The NiMH battery was patented in 1986 by Stanford Ovshinsky, founder of Ovonics.

The basic concept of the nickel-metal hydride cell negative electrode emanated from research on the storage of hydrogen for use as an alternative energy source in the 1970s. Certain metallic alloys were observed to form hydrides that could capture (and release) Hydrogen in volumes up to nearly a thousand times their own volume. By careful selection of the alloy constituents and proportions, the thermodynamics could be balanced to permit the absorption and release process to proceed at room temperatures and pressures.

Now that the technology is reasonably mature, NiMH batteries have begun to find use in high voltage automotive applications. The energy density is more than double that of Lead acid and 40% higher than that of NiCads

They accept both higher charge and discharge rates and micro-cycles thus enabling applications which were previously not practical.

The components of NiMH batteries include a cathode of Nickel-hydroxide, an anode of Hydrogen absorbing alloys and a Potassium-hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte. Like NiCd batteries, Nickel-metal Hydride batteries are susceptible to a "memory effect" although to a lesser extent. They are more expensive than Lead-acid and NiCd batteries, but they are considered better for the environment.

Losing market share to Lithium batteries.

Advantages

High energy density

Typical cycle life is 500 cycles (less than Nicads).

Can be deep cycled.

Using NiMH batteries, up to 3000 cycles at 100 % Depth of Discharge (DOD) have been demonstrated. At lower depths of discharge, for example at 4 % DOD, more than 350.000 cycles can be expected.

Robust - NiMH batteries also tolerate over charge and over discharge conditions and this simplifies the battery management requirements.

Low internal impedance

Flat discharge characteristic (but falls off rapidly at the end of the cycle)
Wide operating temperature range

Rapid charge possible in 1 hour

Trickle charging can not normally be used with NiMH batteries since overcharging can cause deterioration of the battery. Chargers should therefore incorporate a timer to prevent overcharging.

Because of potential pressure build up due to gassing they usually incorporate a re-sealable vent valve

Reconditioning is possible.

Environmentally friendly (No cadmium mercury or lead)

Shortcomings

Very high self discharge rate, nearly ten times worse than lead acid or Lithium batteries.

Can be stored indefinitely either fully charged or fully discharged.

Suffers from memory effect though not as pronounced as with NiCad batteries

Battery deteriorates during long time storage. This problem can be solved by charging and discharging the battery several times before reuse. This reconditioning also serves to overcome the problems of the "memory" effect.

High rate discharge not as good as NiCads

Less tolerant of overcharging than NiCads

As with NiCads the cells must incorporate safety vents to protect the cell in case of gas generation.

The coulombic efficiency of nickel metal hydride batteries is typically only about 66% and diminishes the faster the charge.

While the battery may have a high capacity it is not necessarily all available since it may only deliver full power down to 50% DOD depending on the application.

Cell voltage is only 1.2 Volts which means that many cells are required to make up high voltage batteries.

Lower capacity and cell voltage than alkaline primary cells.

Limited supplies of rare earth element Lanthanum. Mostly in China.

Charging

Run down fully once per month to avoid memory effect.

Do not leave battery in charger.

Slow charging method: Constant current followed by trickle charge.

Rapid charging method uses dT/dt charge termination.

Use timer cut off to avoid prolonged trickle charge.

Applications

Low cost consumer applications

Electric razors

Toothbrushes

Cameras

Camcorders

Mobile phones

Pagers

Medical instruments and equipment

Automotive batteries

Costs

Originally more expensive than NiCad cells but prices are now more in line as NiMH volumes increase and the use of toxic Cadmium based cells is deprecated.