METAL HYDRIDE ELECTRODE, BATTERY AND PRODUCTION

摘要

PURPOSE: To improve energy density and improve mechanical unity by reforming the surface of a core substrate to provide conductivity and irregular surface and forming a layer having hydrogen-reversibly-storing function. CONSTITUTION: The surface of a core substrate 12 is coated with a conductive joined layer 14 exposed irregularly to the surface and having a large surface area. In the case that the layer 14 is formed from an electrically coated nickel of a sintered nickel with a relatively flexible porous structure, the joined layer 14 is made thin by a compressing operation. The porous particles of the joined layer 14 are further surrounded by the compression and mixed with a layer 16 of an active material and the particles are captured in mechanically joined relation. The layer 16 of the active material is made of an electrochemically active hydrogen storage alloy material which can reversibly store or absorb hydrogen. The metal hydride-based electrode is kept in balance with the sintered nickel and while using an economical material to which the alloy powder does not adhere during a molding process, an electrode with high energy density and mechanical unity can be provided.