Effects of annealing on microstructures and electrochemical properties of La0.8Mg0.2Ni2.4Mn0.10Co0.55Al0.10 alloy

The La0.8Mg0.2Ni2.4Mn0.10Co0.55Al0.10 alloy was prepared by induction melting. The structural and morphological characterizations were performed by means of X-ray powder diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The electrochemical measurements were performed using LAND and CH/660b electrochemical workstation. The main phases of the alloy were LaNi5 and （La,Mg）Ni3. After annealing, the maximum discharge capacity, cycle stability and high rate dischargeability （HRD） were improved obviously. The maximum discharge capacity reached 373.80 mAh/g （T=1173 K）, the C100/Cmax（%） was 72.63% （T=1173 K）, and the value of HRD reached 51.8% at a discharge current density of 1150 mA/g （T=1173 K）. The cyclic voltammetry （CV） and potentiodynamic polarization were also studied.     

Effect of praseodymium substitution for lanthanum on structure and properties of La0.65-xPrxNd0.12Mg0.23Ni3.4Al0.1（X=0.00-0.20） hydrogen storage alloys

In order to investigate the effect of substituting La with Pr on structural and hydrogen storage properties of La-Mg-Ni system (AB3.5-type) hydrogen storage alloys, a series of La0.65-xPrxNd0.12Mg0.23Ni3.4Al0.1(x=0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.2) hydrogen storage alloys were prepared. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analyses revealed that two alloys (x=0.0 and 0.10) were composed of (La, Mg)2(Ni,Al)7 phase, La(Ni,Al)5 phase and (La,Mg)Ni2 phase, while other alloys (x=0.15 and 0.20) consisted of (La,Mg)2(Ni,Al)7 phase, La(Ni,Al)5 phase, (La,Mg)Ni2 phase and (La, Mg)(Ni,Al)3 phase. All alloys showed, however, only one pressure plateau in P-C isotherms. The Pr/La ratio in alloy composition influenced hydrogen storage capacity and kinetics properties. Elec-trochemical studies showed that the discharge capacity decreased from 360 mAh/g (x=0.00) to 335 mAh/g (x=0.20) as x increased. But the high-rate dischargeability (HRD) of alloy electrodes increased from 26% (x=0.00) to 56% (x=0.20) at a discharge current density of Id=1800 mA/g. Anode polarization measurements were done to further understand the electrochemical kinetics properties after Pr substitution.     

Effect of cobalt content on electrochemical performance of La-Mg-Ni system （Ce2Ni7-type） electrode alloys

In order to improve the cyclic stability of La-Mg-Ni system （Ce2Ni7-type） alloy electrode, small amount of Co was added in La0.75Mg0.25Ni3.5 alloy. The effect of Co on electrochemical performance and microstructure of the alloys were investigated in detail. XRD results showed that the alloys had multiphase structure composed of （La, Mg）2Ni7, LaNi5 and small amount of LaNi2 phases. The discharge capacity of the alloys first increased and then decreased with increasing Co content. At a discharge current density of 900 mA/g, the HRD of the alloy electrodes increased from 81.3% （x=0） to 89.2 % （x=0.2）, and then reduced to 87.8 % （x=0.6）. After 60 charge/discharge cycles, the capacity retention rate of the alloys enhanced from 52.67% to 61.32%, and the capacity decay rate of the alloys decreased from 2.60 to 2.05 mAh/g per cycle with increasing Co content. The obtained results by XPS and XRD showed that the fundamental reasons for the capacity decay of the La-Mg-Ni system （Ce2Ni7-type） alloy electrodes were corrosion and oxidation as well as passivation of Mg and Lain alkaline solution.     

Electrochemical properties of cobalt-free La0.80Mg0.20Ni2.85Al0.11M0.53 （M=Ni, Si, Cr, Cu, Fe） alloys

In order to investigate the effect of different B-site additions on phase structure and electrochemical properties of cobalt-free La-Mg-Ni based alloys, La0.80Mg0.20Ni2.85Al0.11M0.53 (M=Ni, Si, Cr, Cu, Fe) hydrogen storage alloys were prepared and studied systemati-cally. X-ray powder diffraction showed that the alloys consisted mainly of LaNi3 phase and LaNi5 phase except that Cr addition caused a minor Cr phase. Electrochemical testing indicated that alloys with additional Ni, Cr, Cu or Fe were activated within only 1-2 cycles, while that with Si addition needed 4 cycles. Adding Si, Cu and Fe increased cycling stability of La-Mg-Ni based alloys. However, maximum discharge capacity decreased from 362 mAh/g to 215 mAh/g in the order of Ni>Fe>Cu>Cr>Si. In addition, electrochemical kinetics of alloy electrodes was also researched by measuring high rate discharge ability (HRD), hydrogen diffusion coefficient (D) and limiting current density (IL).     

Structure and electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of the as-cast and annealed La0.8-xSmxMg0.2Ni3.15Co0.2Al0.1Si0.05 （x=0-0.4） alloys

In order to ameliorate the electrochemical cycle stability of the RE-Mg-Ni based A2B7-type electrode alloys, the Mg content in the alloy was reduced and La in the alloy was partially substituted by Sm. The La0.8-xSmxMg0.2Ni3.15Co0.2Al0.1Si0.05 (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) elec-trode alloys were fabricated by casting and annealing. The microstructures of the as-cast and annealed alloys were characterized by XRD and SEM. The electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of the as-cast and annealed alloys were measured. The results revealed that all of the experimental alloys mainly consisted of two phases: (La,Mg)2Ni7 phase with the hexagonal Ce2Ni7-type structure and LaNi5 phase with the hexagonal CaCu5-type structure. As Sm content grew from 0 to 0.4, the discharge capacity and the high rate discharge ability (HRD) first in-creased and then decreased for the as-cast and annealed alloys, whereas the capacity retaining rate (S100) after 100 cycles increased continuously.     

Co含量对La0.55Pr0.05Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.5-xCoxAl0.25（x=0～0.4）储氢合金电极性能的影响

采用电磁感应悬浮炉制备La0.55Pr0.05Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.5-xCoxAl0.25(x=0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4)系列合金,研究Co含量对合金的相结构、吸放氢性能和电化学性能的影响。研究结果表明,该系列合金主要由LaNi5、Nd2Ni7相组成。当Co含量大于0.2时,合金中出现La2Ni7相。压强-吸氢量-温度(Pressure-Content-Temprature)测试显示在303 K温度下,合金具有良好的吸氢性能,当x=0.4时合金的最大吸氢量为1.29(质量分数,%)。电化学测试表明:随x值变化,合金电极的最大放电容量分别为340.0(x=0.0)、346.6(x=0.1)、370.0(x=0.2)、320.0(x=0.3)和346.6(mA.h)/g(x=0.4);随Co含量增加,合金电极容量保持率不断增加,高倍率放电性能先增加后减小,循环伏安曲线、氢在合金体中的扩散系数D共同反映了合金电极的动力学特性。     

Influence of magnesium content on structure and electrochemical properties of La_(1-x)Mg_xNi_(1.75)Co_(2.05) hydrogen storage alloys

La_(1-x)Mg_xNi_(1.75)Co_(2.05)(x=0.07, 0.08, 0.10, 0.13, 0.15) alloys were prepared by high-frequency inductive method, and then their structure and electrochemical properties were investigated systematically. The XRD analysis revealed that the alloys consisted of LaNi_5 phase and La_4MgNi_(19)(Ce_5Co_(19) + Pr_5Co_(19)) phase, and the introduction of Mg could promote the formation of La_4MgNi_(19) phase. The observation of microstructure showed that all the alloys processed dendritic structure, which was refined with the increase of x value. The electrochemical measurements showed that all the alloys could be activated within 2 cycles, and with increasing x, the maximum discharge capacity obviously increased from 254.00 m Ah/g(x=0.07) to 351.51 mAh/g(x=0.15), but the cycling stability(S_(80)) decreased somehow from 78.4% to 73.9%. Meanwhile, the appropriate addition of Mg could improve the high-rate discharge capacity(HRD) of the alloy electrodes, which was mainly controlled by the electrochemical reaction rate on the surface of the alloys.     

Co替代Ni对A2B7型贮氢电极合金相结构及电化学性能的影响

采用感应熔炼方法制备了La0.75Mg0.25Ni3.5-xCox(x=0,0.25,0.75,1)四元贮氢合金,系统地研究了合金B侧Co对Ni部分替代对合金相结构及电化学性能的影响.X衍射(XRD)分析表明,La0.75Mg0.25Ni3.5-xCox由(La,Mg)2Ni-7相(包括Gd2 Co7型高温相和Ce2 Ni7型低温相)组成.此外,随着Co元素的加入,该类合金中出现CaCu5型LaNi5相.电化学测试表明,随Co含量的增加,合金电极活化次数增大,合金电极的最大放电容量增大,合金的最大放电容量由x =0.25时的376.53 mAh/g增加到x=1时的401.62mAh/g,氢扩散系数增大,循环稳定性变差,合金的高倍率放电性能降低,Co含量对合金电极高倍率放电性能HRD值的影响与对合金电极交换电流密度的影响趋势一致,这表明电极合金表面的电化学反应对合金的动力学性能影响更大.     

Effect of annealing temperature on microstructure and electrochemical performance of La0.75Mg0.25Ni3.5Co0.2 hydrogen storage electrode alloy

To improve the cyclic stability of La-Mg-Ni system alloy, as-cast La0.75Mg0.25Ni3.5Co0.2 alloy was annealed at 1123, 1223, and 1323 K for 10 h in 0.3 MPa argon. The microstructure and electrochemical performance of different annealed alloys were investigated systematically by X-Ray Diffraction （XRD）, Scanning Electron Microscopy （SEM）, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy （XPS）, and electrochemical experiments. The results obtained by XRD and SEM showed that the as-cast and annealed （1123 K） alloys had multiphase structure containing LaNis, （La, Mg）2（Ni, Co）7 and few LaNi2 phases. When annealing temperatures approached 1223 and 1323 K, LaNi2 phase disappeared. The annealed alloys at 1223 and 1323 K were composed of LaNi5, （La, Mg）2（Ni, Co）7 and （La, Mg）（Ni, Co）3 phases. With increasing annealing temperature, the maximum discharge capacity of the alloy decreased monotonously, but the cyclic stability was improved owing to structure homogeneity and grain growth after annealing, as well as the enhancement of anti-oxidation/corrosion ability and the suppression of pulverization during cycling in KOH electrolyte.     

Structure and electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of Ce-Mg-Ni-based alloys synthesized by mechanical milling

The substituting Mg with Ni and milling as-cast alloy with Ni were adopted to obtain nanocrystalline/amorphous CeMgnNi+x wt.%Ni(x=100,200) alloys and promote the electrochemical hydrogen storage performances of CeMg_(12)-type alloys.Analyzing the structural features of the alloys provided a mechanism for ameliorating the electrochemical hydrogen storage properties.The electrochemical tests demonstrated that all the alloys just needed one cycle to be activated.Rising Ni proportion had an obvious role on charge-discharge reaction.The discharge capacities of the as-milled(60 h) alloys increased sharply from 182.0 mAh/gfor x=100 alloy to 1010.2 mAh/gfor x=200 alloy at current density of 60 mAh/g.Furthermore,milling time largely determined the performances of electrochemical reaction.The discharge capacity continued to grow along with prolonging milling time,while the cycle stability obviously decreased for x=100 alloy,and first declined and then augmented for the x=200 alloy with milling time extending.In addition,there was an optimal value with milling time varying for the high rate discharge abilities(HRD),which was 80.3%for x=100 alloys and 86.73%for x=200,respectively.     

Effect of Ni/（La＋Mg） Ratio on Structure and Electrochemical Performance of La-Mg-Ni Alloy System

As the alloy with the most suitable Ni/(La+ Mg) ratio has higher capacity and good cycle stability,theeffects of Ni/(La+Mg) ratios on the electrochemical performances of the La0.80 Mg0.20 Nix (x= 3.5 to 5.0) alloys have been investigated to find the most suitable Ni/(La+ Mg) ratio.The results of XRD and SEM observations show that the phase composition of the alloys varies with different Ni/(La+Mg) ratios.When Ni/(La+Mg) is notmore than 4.25,all the alloys contain LaNi5 and (La,Mg)2Ni7 phases,in addition,the LaMg and (La,Mg)Ni3 phases exist in the x=3.5 and 3.75 alloys,respectively.The LaMg2Ni9 phase exists in the x=4.25 alloy.There are the LaNi5 and LaMg2 Ni9 phases in the x= 4.5,4.75,and 5.0 alloys.The phase abundance and cell volume change with different Ni content.When the Ni/(La+Mg) ratio is not more than 4.25,the alloys possess excellent activation capability,however,the activation capabilities of the alloys decrease with a further increase in the Ni/(La+Mg)ratio.With increasing the Ni/(La+ Mg) ratio,the maximum discharge capacities,the medium voltages,and the cycle stabilities of the alloys first increase and then decrease.When the Ni/(La+Mg) ratio is 3.75,the corresponding alloyhas the maximum discharge capacity among all the alloys.However,the cycle stability of the Ni/(La+ Mg)= 4.0 alloy is better than that of the others.     

A study on hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties of La_（0.55）Pr_（0.05）Nd_（0.15）Mg_（0.25）Ni_（3.5） （Co_（0.5）Al_（0.5））_x （x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5） alloys

The La0.55Pr0.05Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.5(Co0.5Al0.5)x(x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) alloys were prepared by magnetic levitation melting under an Ar atmosphere, and the effects of Co and Al on the hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties were systematically investigated by pressure composition isotherms, cyclic voltammetry, Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy testing. The results showed that the alloy phases were mainly consisted of (La,Pr)(Ni,Co)5, LaMg2Ni9, (La,Nd)2Ni7 and LaNi3 phases, and the cell volumes of (La,Pr)(Ni,Co)5, LaMg2Ni9, (La,Nd)2Ni7 and LaNi3 phases expanded with Co and Al element added. The hydrogen storage capacity initially increased from 1.36 (x=0) to 1.47 wt.% (x=0.3) and then decreased to 1.22 wt.% (x=0.5). The discharge capacity retention and cycle stability of the alloy electrodes were improved with the increase of Co and Al contents. The La0.55Pr0.05Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.5(Co0.5Al0.5)0.3 alloy electrode possessed better electrochemical kinetic characteristic.     

宽温型AB5储氢合金结构及其电化学性能研究

用高频感应熔炼法制备了Mm(NiCoAlMn)5储氢合金,采用模拟电池法测试了合金在238～323 K温度范围内的活化、放电容量和高倍率放电性能.结果表明:制备合金为典型AB5型储氢合金,303K温度条件下吸氢量达到1.38％(质量分数),氢化物生成焓为32.36 kJ ·mol-1H2.合金电极的活化性能、放电容量和高倍率性能受温度影响显著.室温预活化可有效改善电极的低温性能,经室温预活化后合金电极在238 K最大放电容量达到336 mAh·g -1,明显高于未经室温预活化的最大放电容量25 mAh·g-1.Mm(NiCoMn)5贮氢合金电极的高倍率性能随着温度的升高先升高后降低,273和303 K温度条件下合金保持高倍率性能良好,3C放电电流密度条件下容量保持率均高于80％;238 K温度条件下合金的大电流放电性能急剧降低,1C放电电流密度条件下容量保持率仅为10％; 273 K下合金电极的综合性能最佳,最大放电容量达到340 mAh·g-1,300 mA·g-1放电电流密度下的高倍率放电比率为86％.循环伏安法测试证实,在238～323 K范围内,电极的氧化峰峰值电流(Ip)与扫描速度的平方根(v1/2)之间均存在良好的线性关系,整个电极反应受氢原子扩散控制;随着温度的降低氢扩散系数急剧下降,从而导致该合金电极的低温高倍率放电性能变差.由Arrhenius公式计算出合金中的氢扩散活化能为10.56 kJ·mol -1.     

Influence of magnesium on electrochemical properties of RE3-xMgx(Ni0.7Co0.2Mn0.1)9（x=0.5-1.25） alloy electrodes

RE3-xMgx(Ni0.7Co0.2Mn0.1)9 (x=0.5-1.25) alloys were prepared by induction melting and the influence of the partial substitution of RE (where RE stands for La-rich mischmetal) by Mg on the hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties of the alloys were investigated systematically. These alloys mainly consisted of three phases, La(Ni,Mn,Co)5 phase, La2Ni7 phase and Mg2Ni phase. The P-C-T isotherms showed that with Mg content increasing in the alloys, the hydrogen storage capacity first increased and reached the maximum capacity of 1.36 wt.% when x=1.0, and then decreased with x increasing further. Electrochemical studies revealed that the discharge capacity reached the maximum value of 380 mAh/g and the alloy electrode presented better cyclic stability when RE/Mg=2. The high rate discharge ability of the alloy electrodes was also improved by the substitution of Mg for RE. The RE2Mg(Ni0.7Co0.2Mn0.1)9 alloy exhibited better hydrogen absorption kinetics (x=1.0).)     

Microstructure and electrochemical characteristics of La0.7Ce0.3Ni3.75Mn0.35Al0.15Cu0.75-x（V0.81Fe0.19）x hydrogen storage alloys

Microstructure and electrochemical characteristics of La0.7Ce0.3Ni3.75Mn0.35Al0.15Cu0.75-x(V0.81Fe0.19)x hydrogen storage alloys were investigated. XRD indicated that La0.7Ce0.3Ni3.75Mn0.35Al0.15Cu0.75-x(V0.81Fe0.19)x alloys consisted of a single phase with CaCu5-type structure, and the lattice parameter a and cell volume V increased with increasing x value. The maximum discharge capacity first increased from 319.0 (x=0) to 324.0 mAh/g (x=0.05), and then decreased to 307.0 mAh/g (x=0.20). The high-rate dischargeability at the discharge current density of 1200 mA/g first increased from 52.1% (x=0) to 59.1% (x=0.15), and then decreased to 55.4% (x=0.20). The hydrogen diffusion in the bulky alloy was responsible for the high-rate dischargeability. Cycling stability first increased with increasing x from 0 to 0.10 and then decreased when x increased to 0.20, which was resulted from the synthesized effect of the improvement of the pulverization resistance and the decrease of corrosion resistance.     

Electrochemical characteristics and synergetic effect of Ti0.10Zr0.15V0.35Cr0.10Ni0.30-10 wt.%LaNi5 hydrogen storage composite electrode

In order to improve performance of Ti-V-based solid solution alloy, electrochemical characteristics and synergetic effect of Ti0.10Zr0.15V0.35Cr0.10Ni0.30-10 wt.%LaNi5 hydrogen storage composite electrode prepared by two-step arc-melting were investigated system-atically. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) showed that the main phase of composite alloy was composed of V-based solid solution phase with a BCC structure and C14 Laves phase with hexagonal structure, while secondary phase also existed in the composite alloy. The results showed that electrochemical characteristics of the composite alloy elec-trode were significantly improved. It was suggested that synergetic effect appeared in the maximum discharge capacity of the composite alloy, synergetic effect of the discharge capacity appeared in the activation process, in the composite process, in the cyclic process, in the discharge process at low/high temperature and at different current densities, and synergetic effect existed in the charge-transfer resistance and in the ex-change current density, which seemed to be related to formation of the secondary phase.     

La15Fe77-xNixMn5B3（x=55,60,65,70,75）储氢合金的结构与电化学性能研究

用熔炼-快淬工艺制备La15Fe77-xNixMn5B3(x=55,60,65,70,75)储氢电极合金。采用XRD、SEM、EDS及电化学方法研究合金的组织结构、放氢平台特性和电化学性能。研究结果表明,La15Fe77-xNixMn5B3(x=55,60,65,70,75)合金均为多相结构,主相是LaNi5相,另外还有(Fe,Ni)相和La3Ni13B2相。随Ni含量增加,合金电极的最大放电容量逐渐增加,活化次数明显减少,放氢平台特性变好,高倍率放电性能明显改善。     

Structural and Electrochemical Characteristics of Mg0.94 La0.06 Ni AlloyPrepared by Ball Milling

The amorphous Mg0.94Lao.o6Ni alloy was synthesized by ball milling for different time at 400 r min^-1. Electrochemical performances of the alloy electrodes were investigated and the results show that the specimens would reach their maximum electrochemical discharge capacities at the first charge/discharge cycle. The cyclic tests and X-ray diffraction(XRD) results show that discharge capacities would decrease rapidly due to the crystallization of the amorphous and the oxidization of magnesium on the particle surface during the electrochemical charge/discharge cycling. In addition, the DTA and SEM results reveal that the thermal stabilities will be improved and the size of the alloy will be decreased with the ball-milling time. The amorphous Mgo.96Lao.04Ni alloy prepared by ball milling for 40 h at 400 r min^-1 shows the bestelectrochemical properties.     

Effect of annealing treatment on hydrogen storage properties of La-Ti-Mg-Ni-based alloy

The present study dealt with investigations on the effects of annealing on the hydrogen storage properties of La 1.6 Ti 0.4 MgNi 9 alloys.The experimental alloys were prepared by magnetic levitation melting followed by annealing treatment.For La 1.6 Ti 0.4 MgNi 9 alloys,LaNi 5,LaNi 3 and LaMg 2 Ni 9 were the main phases,Ti 2 Ni phase appeared at 900℃.Annealing not only enhanced the maximum and effective hydrogen storage capacity,improved the hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics,but also increased the discharge capacity.The cyclic stability had been improved markedly by annealing,e.g.,when the discharge capacity reduced to 60% of maximum discharge capacity,the charge/discharge cycles increased from 66(as-cast) to 89(annealed at 800℃) and 127 times(annealed at 900℃).La 1.6 Ti 0.4 MgNi 9 alloy annealed at 900℃ exhibited better electrochemical properties compared to the other two alloy electrodes.     

Hydriding and Dehydriding Characteristics of Mechanically Alloyed LaMg_(17) Ni Composite Material

Magnesiumandmagnesiumalloyshavebeenin vestigatedashydrogenstoragematerialsforseveralde cadesbecausefarmorehydrogenbyweightcanbestoredinthemthaninmostoftheothercurrentlyknownhydrogenstoragealloys .Moreover ,thehighnaturalabundanceofMg ,itslightmassandenviron mentalcompatibilitypotentiallymakemagnesiumoneofthemostprospectivecandidatesforfuturehydrogenstoragematerials .Unfortunately ,thepracticalappli cationofMganditsalloyshasbeenlimitedonlytocertainstoragedevicebecauseoftheirpoorhydriding dehydr…