The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is LixAyNi1+a−zMzO2·nH2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material. The electrochemically active anode material includes zinc, zinc alloy, and any combination thereof.