NICKEL-HYDROXIDE AND OTHER NANOPHASE CATHODE MATERIALS FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

The staff of US Nanocorp, Inc. are developing unique nanostructured ma terials for a wide range of applications in the areas of energy storag e (batteries and ultracapacitors) and energy conversion (fuel cells an d thermoelectric) devices. Many of the preparations of these materials exploit a wet synthesis process (patent pending) that is scaleable to large volume manufacturing and anticipated to be low in cost. Specifi cally, both the beta-form of nickel hydroxide and the hollandite form of manganese dioxide have been synthesized. The hexagonal Ni(OH)(2) is anticipated to significantly boost energy densities in nickel-alkalin e batteries, including nickel/cadmium, nickel/metal hydride and nickel /zinc. The nanophase MnO2 microstructure exhibits an unusual tunnelled tubular geometry within a 'bird's nest' superstructure, and is expect ed to be of interest as an intercalation cathode material in lithium-i on systems as well as a catalyst for fuel cells. Characterization of t hese materials has been by the techniques of high resolution SEM and T EM, as well as XRD. Both Hg porosimetry and BET surface measurements f or conventional and spherical nickel hydroxides are summarized. Pore d istribution and electrochemical activity for the nanophase materials w ill be examined in the future.