Investigation of Insoluble Zinc Electrodes for Bipolar Nickel-Zinc Electric Vehicle Batteries

The goal of this Phase I effort will be to develop long cycle life insoluble zinc electrodes which will be utilized in an ERC type bipolar nickel-zinc battery for hybrid and electric vehicles. The proposed investigation is based on ERC's hypothesis thatthe zinc electrode can be made to operate electrochemically like a cadmium electrode, i.e., during discharge proceed directly from the metallic phase to an insoluble oxidized species like Zn (OH)2. We propose to accomplish thisby 1) modifying the electrolyte composition to prevent the formation of soluble zincate ions and 2) make the insoluble discharge produce electronically conductive by "doping" with selected metallic ions. The most promising electrode/electrolyte systems will then be tested in bipolar nickel-zinc batteries which will yield in scale up electric vehicle versions 80-88 Wh/Kg energy density, >300 W/kg power density and provide >600 deep discharge cycles at the C/3 rate. The anticipated benefits of the development are viable electric or hybrid vehicle propulsion systems to meet commercial and military requirements for passenger cars, trucks and armorecd vehicles. When coupled with ERC's low cost electrode manufacturing technology, vehicle batteries could be produced for $100-150 per milowatt-hour. Anticipated Benefits: Long life, high energy density nickel-zinc batteries for commercial and military hybrid and all electric vehicles, marine propulsion and remote site power.