Cell provided with gaseous diffusion electrode, and method of charging and discharging the same

摘要

A cell provided with a gaseous diffusion electrode is constituted of the gaseous diffusion electrode, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode, and a chargeable auxiliary electrode wherein nickel hydroxide is used as the active material thereof. The chargeable auxiliary electrode may be disposed either between the gaseous diffusion electrode and the hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode, or on the opposite side of the gaseous diffusion electrode to the hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode. The chargeable auxiliary electrode that can be used may be either a sintered-type nickel electrode for securing a long life span, or a foamed-type nickel electrode or a fiber-type nickel electrode for securing a high capacity. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode has a layer of at least one of metallic nickel, cobalt and copper on the surface of the alloy in order to suppress oxidation thereof at the time of over discharge.