nickelzinc

Nickel-zinc, or NiZn, commonly refers to rechargeable battery chemistry that combines a zinc anode with a nickel oxide hydroxide cathode in an alkaline electrolyte. Per-cell voltage is typically around 1.6 to 1.8 volts, higher than many nickel-based chemistries and lower than lithium-ion systems.

The NiZn family has origins in mid-20th-century battery research, with renewed development in the 1990s and 2000s aimed at improving high-drain performance and safety. Commercial use remains niche in some tools and specialty devices, while ongoing research seeks longer cycle life and better low-temperature behavior.

In operation, zinc is oxidized at the anode and nickel oxide hydroxide is reduced at the cathode during discharge; charging reverses these reactions. The electrolyte is typically potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, and a separator is used to prevent electrical contact while allowing ion transport.

Advantages include higher voltage per cell and relatively inexpensive, abundant materials, and a non-flammable electrolyte. Limitations include zinc dendrite formation, corrosion of the nickel electrode, limited cycle life, hydrogen evolution during charging, and sensitivity to overcharging and drying.

Applications have included cordless power tools and some consumer electronics, but Li-ion and nickel-metal hydride have increasingly displaced NiZn in many sectors. NiZn cells are also studied for potential safety and recycling benefits; end-of-life recovery typically targets nickel and zinc.