It was noted that β-Nickel hydroxide comprised a long wide periodic arrangement
of atoms with the stacking sequence, AC AC AC, having the ideal composition,
Ni(OH)2. Variations in the preparation conditions could lead to changes in the
stacking sequence (AC AC BA CB AC AC or AC AC AB AC AC). This type of
variation in stacking sequence could result in the formation of stacking faults in
nickel hydroxide. The stability of the stacking fault depended upon the free energy
content of the sample. Stacking faults in nickel hydroxide were essential for a
better electrochemical activity. There were also signs that particle size was related
to better electrochemical activity. The effect of crystallite size upon faulted nickel
hydroxide samples was determined here. The electrochemical performance of
faulted nickel hydroxide with a small crystallite size involved exchanges of
0.8e/Ni, while samples with a larger crystallite size involved exchanges of 0.4e/Ni. Crystallite Size Effects in Stacking Faulted Nickel Hydroxide and Its
Electrochemical Behaviour. T.N.Ramesh: Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2009,
114[2-3], 618-23