Basic Nickel-Iron Battery Experiment

[Yrton]

Hi everyone.
I'm interested in building a basic nickel-iron battery. I was wondering if both plates can be made off of nickel-iron alloy (35% iron and 65% nickel).
How will the efficiency of this model differ compared to if I use iron and nickel plates separately?

 

[mjc123]

How are you going to generate an emf if the electrodes are the same?

 

[sophiecentaur]

How are you going to generate an emf if the electrodes are the same?

I guess he plans to charge the cell first - as in a Lead Acid battery. But whether the Chemistry would allow it is another question.

 

[anorlunda]

This reference says that the electrodes are plated, not solid.

The nickel–iron battery (NiFe battery) is a rechargeable battery having nickel(III) oxide-hydroxide positive plates and iron negative plates, with an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide. The active materials are held in nickel-plated steel tubes or perforated pockets.

It is a very robust battery which is tolerant of abuse, (overcharge, overdischarge, and short-circuiting) and can have very long life even if so treated. It is often used in backup situations where it can be continuously charged and can last for more than 20 years.

Due to its low specific energy, poor charge retention, and high cost of manufacture, other types of rechargeable batteries have displaced the nickel–iron battery in most applications.

This part of the article gives extensive information on design of the plates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel–iron_battery#Plates