The properties of calcium zincate as negative electrode materials for secon
dary batteries were examined by powder microelectrode, cyclic voltammetry,
charge-discharge cycle measurements and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. T
he results show that the cycleability of calcium zincate is obviously super
ior to that of ZnO and that of the mixture of ZnO and Ca(OH)(2) (the molar
ratio of Zn:Ca = 2:1). Calcium zincate forms zinc metal during the charging
and exhibits an initial discharge capacity 230 mAh g(-1). With the dischar
ge cut-off voltage of 1.0 V, the discharge capacity of the experimental Zn/
NiOOH cell does not decay much during 500 cycles, exhibiting good prospect
for practical use. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.