Solid-state metal hydride secondary batteries using heteropolyacid hydrate as an electrolyte

In order to enhance the performance of a solid-state MnO₂-metal hydride battery using H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ · 20H₂O as an electrolyte, a moderate amount of the electrolyte was added to both positive and negative electrodes. The high rate characteristics of the battery were improved significantly by optimizing the electrolyte content in the electrodes; the resulting battery was able to operate over 140 cycles, even at a current density of 20 mA/g alloy, which is large enough for the batteries using inorganic solid electrolytes, and keep the discharge efficiency about 90%. The improvement of battery performance appears to be caused by an increase in electrode-electrolyte interface area. The AC impedance analyses revealed that the resistance of interface is decreased by the addition of a suitable amount of the electrolyte, suggesting an increase in the interface area.