Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
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Study of a Betavoltaic Battery Using Electroplated Nickel-63 on Nickel Foil as a Power Source

  • Uhm, Young Rang (Radioisotope Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)) ;
  • Choi, Byoung Gun (Human Interface SoC Research Section, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)) ;
  • Kim, Jong Bum (Radioisotope Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)) ;
  • Jeong, Dong-Hyuk (Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Science) ;
  • Son, Kwang Jae (Radioisotope Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
  • Received : 2015.08.07
  • Accepted : 2016.01.25
  • Published : 2016.06.25
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Abstract

A betavoltaic battery was prepared using radioactive $^{63}Ni$ attached to a three-dimensional single trenched P-N absorber. The optimum thickness of a $^{63}Ni$ layer was determined to be approximately $2{\mu}m$, considering the minimum self-shielding effect of beta particles. Electroplating of radioactive $^{63}Ni$ on a nickel (Ni) foil was carried out at a current density of $20mA/cm^2$. The difference of the short-circuit currents ($I_{sc}$) between the pre- and post-deposition of $^{63}Ni$ (16.65 MBq) on the P-N junction was 5.03 nA, as obtained from the I-V characteristics. An improved design with a sandwich structure was provided for enhancing performance.

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