J Mater Sci Technol ›› 2001, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (02): 247-251.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Surface modification of AB(2) and AB(5) hydrogen storage alloy electrodes by the hot-charging treatment

Bo YU, Lian CHEN, Mingfen WEN, Ming TONG, Demin CHEN, Yanwen TIAN, Yuchun ZHAI   

  1. Institute of Matel Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110015, China...
  • Received:1999-12-06 Revised:2000-02-16 Online:2001-03-28 Published:2009-10-10
  • Contact: Lian CHEN

Abstract: The effect of the hot-charging treatment on the performance of AB(2) and AB(5) hydrogen storage alloy electrodes was investigated. The result showed that the treatment can markedly improve the voltage plateau ratio (VPR), the high rate discharge ability (HRDA), the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen DH and the discharge capacity of the AB2 hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The SEM analysis showed that the hot-charging treatment brings about a Ni-rich surface due to the dissolution of Zr oxides. It is also very helpful for the improvement of the kinetic properties of AB2 hydrogen storage alloy electrode because the microcracking of the surface results in fresh surface. This can be the basic modification treatment for NiMH battery used in electric vehicles (EVs) in the future. But for AB(5) type alloys, the treatment has the disadvantage of impairing the comprehensive electrochemical properties, because the surface of the alloy may be corroded during the treatment. The mechanism of the surface modification of the electrode is also proposed.

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