Effect of crystallinity on the reversible discharge capacity of nickel hydroxide

The higher reversible discharge capacity exhibited by βbc (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 turbostatic disorder in the former. These regions comprise the α-modification of nickel hydroxide existing in an interstratified form within the βbc sample. The α-motifs in the βbc are anion-free, but hydrated, by virtue of which βbc-nickel hydroxide exhibits a higher water content (11 by weight) compared to the β-form (<1)