Metal hydride batteries: Pd nanotube incorporation into the negative electrode

High quality bulk quantities of palladium nanotubes were synthesized using commercial track etched polycarbonate templates in two steps by electrodeposition. The template was dissolved in dichloromethane leaving the Pd nanotubes suspended in the solution. These nanotubes were incorporated into the negative electrode alloy of nickel–metal hydride batteries. The role of nanotube containing negative electrodes’ electrochemical performance at 2C and 4C rate of discharge has been characterized. The Pd nanotube-containing cell showed increased cell voltage and negative electrode potential compared to that of a regular cell. After 10 cycles, for a cut-off voltage of 1.0 V, the nanotube cell exhibited 32 and 67% higher capacity at 2C and 4C discharge rate, respectively.