ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF QUASI-SPHERICAL BETA-NI(OH)(2) PARTICLES STUDIED BY RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPY

It has been shown that Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for studying the charge and discharge processes, and the open-circuit beha vior of nickel hydroxide used in the foam technology of alkaline recha rgeable batteries. It is observed, in particular, that nickel hydroxid e initially activated by potential cycling returns to its initial stat e when the electrode is left at the open-circuit potential for a long period. Remanent Ni3+ cations formed by the activation procedure, whic h give a high conductance to the nickel hydroxide and are not reduced during the discharge process, will be completely reduced if the electr ode is held at open-circuit potential for a long period. Therefore, th e electrode will need to be reactivated before subsequent use.