Nickel-Cadmium Cell (NiCd Cell)

The nickel-cadmium battery, often known as the ‘NiCad’ battery, is a rechargeable battery that uses metallic cadmium along with nickel oxide hydroxide as the cell’s electrodes. The NiCad battery has varied discharge rates proportional to the battery’s size. Toys, calculators, tiny DC motors, and other devices commonly utilise this battery. It works on the same principle as lead accumulator batteries. A metal is wrapped with cadmium and separator layers and maintained in redox such that the chemical reaction creates the DC voltage. Batteries have long been popular, and more and more chemical components are being employed to improve battery efficiency.

Construction of Nickel-cadmium cell (NiCd cell)

Here is a detailed breakdown of a nickel-cadmium cell’s composition:

• It is made up of three primary layers:
  • Layer number one is made of nickel and serves as a positive terminal collector.
  • The second layer acts as a separator and provides a supply of OH ions. It is composed of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.
  • The third layer is made of cadmium, which acts as a negative electrode layer collector.
• It also has an insulating ring that acts as an insulator. Its exterior casing shields the interior from battery damage and abuse. 

Working of Nickel-cadmium cell (NiCd cell)

The chemical interaction within layers of the battery lies at the heart of the nickel-cadmium battery’s operation. The storm, a DC voltage source, has positive and negative ports. The layer of cadmium is retained on redox initially while building the battery. 

The cadmium layer plays the role of the negative terminal. Cadmium is a heavy metal with strong electrical conductivity. The layers called separators are placed above the cadmium layer.

The separator layer’s role is to supply the necessary OH ions required for the chemical process. The interaction within the negative layer and the separator requires OH ions. It produces oxide of nickel OH ions as an output. The separator layer is essential to deliver the OH ions needed for the chemical reaction. The separator layer is soaked in water to provide H2O for the first reaction.

Later, as one of the by-products, H2O is obtained. The cadmium layer is also mixed with OH ions derived from the separators layer on the anode side. As a consequence, cadmium oxide and electrons are produced. It is worth noting that the electrons in both equations are cancelled. The OH ions are also balanced. 

The third equation, in which nickel is mixed with cadmium and water, provides the reminder equation. It produces nickel oxide and cadmium oxide as a by-product. The chemical reaction is followed by an electron flow, which results in a potential difference between the two terminals.

Advantages of Nickel-cadmium cell (NiCd cell)

These cells have been well researched for a long time, and their energy density has already been modest. NiCd is employed in applications where extended life, high discharge rate, and low cost are critical. Two-way radios, biomedical equipment, professional video cameras, and power tools are among the most common uses. 

Let us check out some more advantages to understand the nickel-cadmium cell’s importance.

• In the longer run, this rechargeable battery has more charge/discharge cycles than regular rechargeable batteries.
• Tolerates long-term deep discharges
• The self-discharge rate is lower than that of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (20 percent per month versus 30 percent per month)
• Lead-acid batteries have a higher energy density, are lighter, and are more compact. When size and weight are critical, such as in aeroplanes, NiCd is preferred.

Conclusion

The first commercially accessible NiCd batteries were launched in the early 1900s, after being invented in Sweden by Waldemar Junger in 1899; since then, nickel-cadmium batteries have played an enormous role in technological advancements. 

NiCd is an ancient technology; newer chemistries have virtually rendered it useless in all but a few low-cost industrial applications. In this article, we studied the working, construction, and advantages of nickel-cadmium cell (NiCd cell). Please find below significant nickel-cadmium cell questions and their solutions.