Nickel Cadmium Battery
The battery has a nickel-hydroxide cathode, a cadmium anode, and aqueous potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
The overall reaction is:
2NiOOH + 2H2O + Cd <=> 2Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2
Advantages:
- High currents at relatively constant voltage
- Tolerant of physical abuse
Disadvantages:
- Toxicity
- Memory effect
Memory Effect
If these batteries are discharged only partially before recharging, the cells have a tendency to act as if they have a lower storage capacity than they actually designed for; this is the memory effect.
They can often be restored to full capacity with a few cycles of discharge and recharge.
See also: Battery, Nickel Metal Hydride Battery.
Subjects: Electrochemistry Electronics