DRR

Hello All: I'm new, and this is my first post. I hope I am in the correct forum. If not, please let me know where to post. I'm experimenting with NiFe batteries, and have constructed a small set. I would like to build a larger bank, but the cost of nickel is prohibitive. Can anyone here give me any information regarding the following: 1. Can nickel plated material be used instead of a nickel bar? 2, What other materials might be used for anodes/cathodes? 3. What other chemicals could be used for electrolyte? Thanks for any answers, I'm not a chemist or scientist, so the simpler the answer, the better. Thanks for any responses. Regards, Dave