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.     

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.     

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.     

Phase structure and hydrogen storage properties of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy

The phase structure and hydrogen storage property of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy were studied.XRD and SEM results exhibited that LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy consisted mainly of LaMg3,La2Mg17 and LaMg2Ni phases;after hydriding/dehydriding process,all the three phases transformed,La3H7 phase existed and the actual hydrogen absorption phases were Mg and Mg2Ni phases.Pressure-composition-temperature (P-C-T)measurement showed that the reversible hydrogen storage capacity of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy was 2.63 wt.%,and the absorption time for reaching 90%of the storage capacity was 124 s at 523 K,and it was 1850 s for deabsorbing 90%of the maximum dehydrogen capacity.The hydriding process of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy followed the nucleation and growth mechanisms.The enthalpy and entropy for hydriding and dehydriding reactions of the Mg phase in LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy were calculated to be-66.38±1.10 kJ/mol H2,-100.96±1.96 J/(K·mol)H2 and 68.50±3.87 kJ/mol H2,98.28±5.48 J/(K·mol)H2,respectively.A comparison of these data with those of MgH2(-74.50 kJ/mol H2,-132.30 J/K·mol H2)suggested that the hydride of LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy was less stable than MgH2.The existence of La hydride and synergetic effect of multiphase led to higher reversible hydrogen storage capacity and better kinetic property at lower temperature for LaMg3.93Ni0.21 alloy.     

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).)     

快淬纳米晶/非晶Mg2-xLaxNi (x=0～0.6)合金的贮氢动力学

为了改善Mg2Ni型合金气态及电化学贮氢动力学性能,用La部分替代合金中的Mg,用快淬技术制备了Mg2-xLaxNi(x=0,0.2,0.4,0.6)合金,用XRD,SEM,HRTEM分析了铸态及快淬态合金的微观结构;用自动控制的Sieverts设备测试了合金的气态贮氢动力学性能,用程控电池测试仪测试了合金的电化学贮氢动力学.结果发现,快淬无La合金具有典型的纳米晶结构,而快淬含La合金显示了以非晶相为主的结构,表明La替代Mg提高Mg2Ni型合金的非晶形成能力.La替代Mg明显地改变Mg2Ni型合金的相组成.当La替代量x=0.4时,合金的主相改变为(La,Mg) Ni3+ LaMg3.合金的气态及电化学吸放氢动力学对La含量及快淬工艺敏感,La替代使合金的吸氢动力学降低,但适量的La替代可以明显改善合金的放氢动力学及高倍率放电能力.适当的快淬处理可以提高合金的气态及电化学贮氢动力学,但获得最佳贮氢动力学的快淬工艺与合金的成分密切相关.     

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.     

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.     

硼的添加对Mg2Ni储氢合金吸放氢性能的影响

镁系储氢合金有着价格低廉、储氢量大等优点,作为机载储氢材料有着广泛的应用前景,但其过高的氢分解温度,过慢的分解速度等缺点制约着实际应用.采用机械球磨制备出Mg2 Ni-xB(x =0％,1％,5％,10％,15％)系列储氢合金.通过XRD分析了合金的物相结构,采用P-C-T测试仪测定了合金的吸放氢性能,研究了添加不同含量的B对Mg2Ni合金吸放氢性能的影响.研究结果表明,B的添加对合金在200和300℃下吸放氢性能的改善作用不明显,但添加B的合金在400℃下的吸氢量均较Mg2Ni高,B的添加量由1％增至15％的合金吸氢量分别为3.09％,3.00％,2.81％,2.84％,而Mg2Ni的吸氢量则只有2.60％.随着B含量的增加,含B合金吸氢量略有降低;在含B的试样中,含5％B的合金吸氢速率最大,仅需180 s便能完成吸氢.所有含B合金的放氢平台均较Mg2Ni高且较为平坦.本次实验表明,B的添加量对合金性能的提升存在一个最优值,本次实验结果显示,添加5％B相对较好地改善合金的储氢性能,提高合金吸氢量和放氢平台压的同时能保持较快的吸氢速率.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

La0.8Mg0.2(Ni2.7Co0.6Al0.1Mn0.1)x贮氢合金的电化学性能分析

采用恒电位法、EIS分析及双电极系统对La0.8Mg0.2(Ni2.7Co0.6Al0.1Mn0.1)x(x=0.9～1.10)系列合金进行电化学性能分析。结果表明,x=1.05的合金具有较好的自放电性能(CR=97.3%),而x=1.10的合金有较高的电化学容量(369 mAh.g-1)。合金电极的电化学阻抗谱(EIS)表明,随着化学计量比x的增大,合金电极的电荷迁移电阻先减小后增大,动力学性能先增强后减弱。线性极化测试表明,随着化学计量比x的增大,合金电极表面的电化学反应速率先增大后减小。通过合金电极阳极电流对时间响应的半对数曲线计算的氢扩散系数D随着化学计量比x的增大先增大后降低,说明合金内部的氢扩散能力先增强后降低。     

Phase Structure and Electrochemical Characteristics of Ml（Ni3.55Co0.75Mn0.40Al0.30）5x （x=0.88, 0.92, 0.96, 1.00） Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The phase structure and electrochemical characteristics of Ml （（Ni3.55Co0.75Mn0.40Al0.30）sx （ x = 0.88, 0.92, 0.96, 1.00） hydrogen storage alloys were studied. The effect of the stoichiometric ratio on the phase structure and electrochemical characteristics was analyzed. The results of XRD reveal that all the alloys consist mainly of LaNi5 phase with the hexagonal CaCu5 structure. But a few of the diffraction peaks of La2Ni7 phase on XRD pattern are observed when x ≤ 0.92, and with decreasing x, the intensity of La2Ni7 diffraction peaks increases and the values of lattice parameters a and cell volume increase, c and c/a of LaNi5 phase decrease gradually. When x≥0.96, La2Ni7 phase disappears and the alloys become single CaCu5-type. The electrochemical tests show that the maximum discharge capacity, high rate dischargeability and low temperature dischargeability are improved to different degrees by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio.     

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.     

AB5型与AB3.5型贮氢合金的电化学性能对比研究

为了对比研究AB5型与AB3.5型贮氢合金的电化学及动力学特性,以AB5型MlNi3.68Mn0.32Co0.73Al0.27和AB3.5型Ml0.80Mg0.20 （NiMnAlCu）3.6、La0.6 Mg0.4 Ni3.5为研究对象.采用XRD分析了合金的相结构,利用电化学方法测试合金的电化学及动力学特性.结果发现,MlNi3.68 Mn0.32Co0.73Al0.27合金由单相LaNi5相组成,而Ml0.80Mg0.20（NiMnAlCu）3.6、La0.6Mg0.4Ni3.5均有LaNi5相和La2Ni7相组成.AB3.5型合金的放电容量、荷电保持率以及动力学特性高于AB5型合金.     

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.     

制备工艺对La_(0.80)Mg_(0.20)Ni_(3.75)合金电极性能的影响

采用中频感应真空熔炼(IM)和放电等离子烧结(SPS)工艺制备La0.80Mg0.20Ni3.75合金。XRD分析表明,这两种工艺制备的合金均含有LaNi5和(La,Mg)2Ni7主相,而中频感应真空熔炼法制备的合金(IMLa合金)还含有(La,Mg)Ni3相,放电等离子烧结法制备的合金(SPSLa合金)还含有Ni及La2Mg17相。电化学性能测试结果表明,作为镍氢电池负极材料,IMLa合金的放电容量、损耗角及极限电流密度均较大;而SPSLa合金的循环性能较好,这归因于SPSLa合金晶粒细小,组织均匀,Ni和La2Mg17相弥散分布,可减弱其电极脱落程度。     

Investigation of Structure and Hydriding Properties of La0.6 Nd0.4 Ni4.8 Mn0.2 Cux Alloys

The structure and hydriding performance of La0.6Nd0.4Ni4.8Mn0.2Cux (x = 0 ～ 0.4) alloys were investigated in order to develop suitable materials for metal hydride air conditioner. The effect of Cu addition on the crystal structure,equilibrium pressure, hydrogen capacity and hysteresis as well as hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics were systematically studied by using the measurement of P-C isotherms, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. As the amount of Cu increases, the plateau pressure increases and hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics is improved, but the effective hydrogen storage capacity decreases. It is shown that variations in the basal plane parameter a can be used as an indication for the plateau pressure changes. With the increase of parameter a, the plateau pressure decreases. For La0.6 Nd0.4Ni4.8Mn0.2Cux(x = 0 ～ 0.4) alloys there is a relationship between the effective hydrogen storage capacities and the ratios of their unit cell parameters c and a. The effective hydrogen storage capacity decreases with increase of a/c.     

Phase Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Rare Earth Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The rare earth based hydrogen storage alloys MmxM1 1 - x ( Ni3.55 Co0.75 Mn0.4 A10.3 ) ( x = 0 ～ 0.5 ) were investigated in this work.Adjusted Ml: Mm ratio to change the content of La,Ce,Pr and Nd in the alloys and then to change the phase structure, the influences of phase structure on the electrochemical properties were analyzed.The results indicate that the main phase of all alloys is LaNi5 with CaCu5 type structure and the crystal lattices constants of LaNi5 are changed with increasing x value, i.e, decreased a-axis, increased c-axis and axis ratio and nonlinear decreased crystal volume.The crystal volume of the alloy with x = 0.3 is larger than others.There is second phase A1LaNi4 in alloys when x≥0.3, which decrease the discharge capacity, but increase the cycling stability and high rate discharge ability.Compared comprehensively, the alloy with x = 0.3 shows the higher discharge capacity and the better cycling stability.