Investigation on electrochemical properties of silver-coated nickel foam in silver-zinc storage batteries

The current collector of silver-coated nickel foams were prepared by electrodeposition in order to substitute silver grid. By SEM, XRD, electrochemical and other techniques, the silver-coated nickel foams were characterized and analyzed. The results showed that massive silver crystal grains were deposited on nickel foam, and the silver coating improved the electrochemical behavior of zinc electrode with the current collector of nickel foam. Especially, when the current density of deposition was 3 mA·cm^-2, the silver coating was dense and uniform, and enhanced the property of corrosion resistance at the assurance of the electrochemical reaction active for zinc electrode. Experimental data indicated that simulated silver-zinc battery made of such zinc electrode with a current collector of silver-coated nickel foam had stable discharging voltage and excellent electric performance at discharging rate of high current density.