The Effect of Crystallinity on the Reversible Discharge Capacity of Nickel Hydroxide

The higher reversible discharge capacity exhibited by β bc (bc: badly crystalline)‐nickel hydroxide ( 400 mAh g − 1 of Ni ; theoretical : 456 mAh g − 1 ) compared to that of β‐nickel hydroxide ( 180 mAh g − 1 ) can be attributed to the presence of regions characterized by turbostratic disorder in the former. These regions comprise the α‐modification of nickel hydroxide existing in an interstratified form within the β bc sample. The α‐motifs in the β bc are anion‐free, but hydrated, by virtue of which β bc ‐ nickel hydroxide exhibits a higher water content (11% by weight) compared to the β‐form (<1%). © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.