David W Pickett

US Patent:

52485102, Sep 28, 1993

Filed:

Feb 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/836498

Inventors:

Hong S. Lim - Agora Hills CA
David F. Pickett - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Gabriela R. Zelter - West Hollywood CA

Assignee:

Hughes Aircraft Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01M 466

US Classification:

429236

Abstract:

A nickel electrode (14) for use in a storage cell (10) includes a porous nickel substrate (50, 52) and a cobalt oxide passivation layer (56) on the nickel substrate (50, 52). A mass of nickel hydroxide/oxide (54) is impregnated within the pores of the substrate (50, 52). The cobalt oxide layer (56) is preferably deposited on the nickel substrate (50, 52) by contacting the substrate (50, 52) with an aqueous solution of cobalt nitrate, removing the excess solution, and heating the substrate in an oxygen-containing environment to form cobalt oxide. The cobalt oxide layer (56) at the surface of the substrate (50, 52) acts as a passivation layer to prevent corrosion of the nickel substrate (50, 52).