An investigation of hydrogen storage kinetics of melt-spun nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg2Ni-type alloys

The nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg2Ni-type Mg2–xLaxNi (x=0,0.2) hydrogen storage alloys were synthesized by melt-spinning technique.The as-spun alloy ribbons were obtained.The microstructures of the as-spun ribbons were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD),high resolution transmission electronic microscopy (HRTEM) and electron diffraction (ED).The hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics of the alloys were measured using an automatically controlled Sieverts apparatus,and their electrochemical kinet...     

Hydriding and dehydriding characteristics of nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg20-xLaxNi10（X=0-6） alloys prepared by melt-spinning

In order to improve the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation performances of the Mg2Ni-type alloys, Mg was partially substituted by La in the alloy, and melt spinning technology was used for the preparation of the Mg20-xLaxNi10 (x=0, 2, 4, 6) hydrogen storage alloys. The structures of the alloys were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that no amorphous phase formed in the as-spun La-free alloy, but the as-spun alloys containing La held a major amorphous phase. When La content x≤2, the major phase in the as-cast alloys was Mg2Ni phase, but with further increase of La content, the major phase of the as-cast alloys changed into LaNi5+LaMg3 phase. Thermal stability of the as-spun alloys was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), showing that spinning rate was a negligible factor on the crystallization temperature of the amor-phous phase. The hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics of the as-cast and as-spun alloys were measured using an automatically con-trolled Sieverts apparatus, confirming that the hydrogen absorption and desorption capacities and kinetics of the as-cast alloys clearly in-creased with rising La content. For La content x=2, the as-spun alloy displayed optimal hydrogen desorption kinetics at 200 ℃.     

An investigation on electrochemical hydrogen storage performances of Mg-Y-Ni alloys prepared by mechanical milling

The nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg2Ni-type electrode alloys with a composition of Mg20?xYxNi10 (x=0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) were fabricated by mechanical milling. Effects of Y content on the structures and e...     

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.     

Microstructures and electrochemical properties of LaNi3.8-xAlx hydrogen storage alloys

The microstructures and electrochemical properties of LaNi3.8-xAlx (x=0.0,0.1,0.2,0.3 and 0.4) alloys were studied systematically. The microstructures were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The main phases were not changed with the substitution of Ni by Al, but minor phases appeared when x=0.4. With Al content increasing, the cell volume increased and the hydrogen storage capacity increased first and then decreased, and the maximum discharge capacity increased from 209.4 mAh/g (x=0.0) to 285.3 mAh/g (x=0.3) and then decreased to 241.3 mAh/g (x=0.4). Meanwhile, the exchange current density (I0) increased and the diffusion coefficient (D) decreased with the addition of Al.     

Microstructures and hydrogen storage properties of as-cast and copper-mould-cast LaMg4Ni alloys

Phase compositions, morphologies and hydrogen storage properties of the as-cast and copper-mould-cast LaMgaNi alloys were studied. The dehydriding onset temperature of the as-cast alloy hydride was about 500 K, which was at least 50 K higher than that of the copper-mould-cast one, and the copper-mould-cast alloy hydride had a faster dehydriding rate compared with as-cast one. Additionally, the copper-mould-cast alloy could uptake 2.85 wt.% hydrogen, which was 95.0% of saturated hydrogen storage capac- ity at room temperature. While only 1.80 wt.% hydrogen （60% of saturated capacity） was absorbed for the as-cast alloy under the same conditions. The reversible hydrogen storage capacities and plateau hydrogen pressures of the two alloys were close. X-ray dif- fractions and scanning electron microscopy results indicated that similar thermodynamic property of the two alloys should be ascribed to the same hydrogen storage phase, Mg and MgzNi. The better hydrogen sorption kinetics of copper-mould-cast alloy should be as- cribed to the more uniform phase distribution compared with that of the as-cast one.     

Structure and electrochemical hydrogen storage behaviors of Mg-Ce-Ni-Al-based alloys prepared by mechanical milling

The influences of milling time and Ce content on the electrochemical property and micro structure of asmilled Mg_(1-x)Ce_xNi_(0.9)Al_(0.1)(x=0,0.02,0.04,0.06,0.08)+50 wt%Ni alloys were investigated systematically.The as-milled alloys have an outstanding activation property.The cycle stability conspicuously grows up with milling time and Ce proportion increasing.The capacity retention rate at 100 th cycle of x=0.02 alloy augments from 47% to 63% when prolonging milling time from 5 to 30 h and it grows from55% to 82% for the 30 h milled alloy with Ce content growing from 0 to 0.08.The discharge capacity of x=0.02 alloy grows up invariably with milling time prolonging,while that of the 30 h milled alloys has the maximal value of 578.4 mAh/g with Ce content increasing.Moreover,the electrochemical kinetic properties of alloys significantly improve with milling duration extending,while they have the maximal values with Ce proportion varying.     

Phase structure and electrochemical properties of laser sintered La2MgNi9 hydrogen storage electrode alloys

Phase structure and electrochemical properties of laser sintered La2MgNi9 alloys were studied. The sintered alloys contained a main phase, LaNi5, and a ternary La-Mg-Ni phase, with a PuNi3 structure and a small amount of LaMgNi4. The ternary La-Mg-Ni phase with a PuNi3 structure had the composition of La1.8Mg1.2Ni9 and La2MgNi9, for alloys laser sintered at 1000 and 1400 W, respectively. Owing to further reactions between LaNi5 and LaMgNi4, the amount of the PuNi3 phase increased for alloys sintered at 1400 W. Both alloys had good activation property (three charge/discharge cycles). The discharge capacities of the sintered alloys were 321.8 and 344.8 mAh/g, respectively. Compared with the alloy laser sintered at 1000 W, the poor cyclic stability of the alloy sintered at 1400 W was mainly attributed to the lower corrosion resistance of the La2MgNi9 phase.     

Structure and high-temperature electrochemical properties of La_（0.60）Nd_（0.15）Mg_（0.25）Ni_（3.3）Si_（0.10） hydrogen storage alloys

The structure and high-temperature electrochemical properties of the as-cast and annealed (940 °C, 8 h) La0.60Nd0.15Mg0.25Ni3.3Si0.10 hydrogen storage alloys were investigated. The X-ray diffraction revealed that the multiphase structure of the as-cast alloy with LaNi5 phase as the main phase was converted into a double-phase structure with La2Ni7 phase as the main phase after annealing. The surface morphology studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) showed that the annealed alloy had a much higher anti-corrosion ability than the as-cast alloy. Both alloys presented excellent activation characteristics at all test temperatures. The maximum discharge capacity of the as-cast alloy decreased when the test temperature increased, while the temperature almost had no effect on the annealed alloy. As the test temperature increased, the cyclic stability and charge retention of both alloys decreased, and these properties were improved significantly by annealing.     

Process optimization of electroless copper plating and its influence on electrochemical properties of AB5-type hydrogen storage alloy

The amount of Cu coating by chemical plating was investigated based on quadratic regression orthogonal experimental design being adapted to the variation law of temperature,pH value and Ni2+concentration,and the relevant regression equation was expressed as y=2.1609+0.5295×10-3T2-0.0342P2-0.0265N2+0.0023TP+0.0020TH+0.0199PN-0.0959T+0.3814P-0.2073N.The results showed that the deposition rate augmented with the increasing in temperature,pH value and Ni2+concentration.The experimental parameters of the optimal coating were temperature 75 ℃,pH value 8.5 and Ni2+concentration 1.2 g/L.The electrochemical tests indicated that the cycle stability increased from 60.66% to 75.58%,indicating that the treated alloy exhibited better corrosion resistance.     

Microstructure and electrochemical properties of melt-spun Nd_(0.8)Mg_(0.2)(Ni_(0.8)Co_(0.2))_(3.8) hydrogen storage alloy

The effects of rapid solidification on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of Nd0.8Mg0.2(Ni0.8Co0.2)3.8 alloy were systematically investigated.The microstructure of alloys was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffractometer(XRD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).It was found that the melt-spun Nd0.8Mg0.2(Ni0.8Co0.2)3.8 ribbons became thinner and the average grain size of the ribbons became smaller with increasing wheel speed.A fraction of amorphous phase was observed for the ribbons melt-spun at high wheel speed(≥20 m/s).Microstructural characterization revealed that two phases:(Nd,Mg)2(Ni,Co)7 main phase(Ce2Ni7 type structure) and NdNi5 second phase(CaCu5 type structure),existed in the samples in cast state and melt-spun.The cycle stability of the melt-spun alloys was significantly enhanced as compared with cast alloy,and the sample prepared at wheel speed of 20 m/s exhibited good comprehensive electrochemical properties.     

Phase forming law and electrochemical properties of A2B7-type La-Y-Ni-based hydrogen storage alloys with different La/Y ratios

The effects of different proportions of La and Y elements in the A-side on the structure and properties of A₂B₇-type La-Y-Ni hydrogen storage alloys were investigated.The(La,Y)₂Ni₇ hydrogen storage alloys with different La/Y ratios were prepared by sintering the Y₂Ni₄ precursor and different AB₅-type precursors at 1298 K for 5 h and subsequently annealed for 20 h at 1248 K.All the alloys only contain Ce₂Ni     

Influence of elemental composition on crystal structure and hydrogen storage performance for Mg-containing alloys

The influence of elemental composition on the crystal structure, hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties for Mg-containing alloys was investigated. As La/Mg ratio decreased, the slight change of Ni content was detected. XRD results indicated that these alloys were composed of LaNi 5 and Mg-containing phases. The lattice parameters of Mg-containing phases decreased. Meanwhile, the mass fraction of Mg-containing phases varied with the change of La/Mg and Ni. The hydrogen storage capacity reached ～1.6 wt.% for La/Mg≧ 3 :1 and decreased to ～0.71 wt.% for La/Mg=1. Two hydrogen absorption processes were observed because of the existence of the multiphases for La/Mg≧ 3 :1. With decreasing La/Mg ratio, the equilibrium pressurerose due to the shrinkage of the lattice parameter. Meanwhile, one hydrogen absorption process was obviously present. The discharge capacity of these as-cast alloys was higher, but the cyclic stability was poor for La/Mg≧ 3 :1 due to the partial amorphisation. It was better for La/Mg≤2 although the discharge capacity was lower. The polarization resistance increased, contrarily the exchange current density decreased with decreasing Mg content.     

Effect of lanthanum hydride on microstructures and hydrogen storage performances of 2LiNHe-MgH2 system

Hydrogen storage properties of 2LiNH2-MgH2 system were improved by adding lanthanum hydride （LaH3）, and the role of LaH3 in hydrogen sorption process of Li-Mg-N-H system was investigated. Temperature programmed sorption results showed that the addition of lanthanum hydride reduced the dehydriding/hydriding onset temperature of 2LiNH2-MgH2 system by at least 15 K. Moreover, A 0.053 wt.%/min average rate was determined for the hydrogen desorption of 2LiNH2-MgH2-0.05LaH3 composite, while it was only 0.035 wt.%/min for 2LiNH2-MgH2 system. Hydrogen absorption capacity increased from 1.62 wt.% to 2.12 wt.% within 200 min by adding LaH3 into 2LiNH2-MgH2 system at 383 K. In the dehydrogenation of 2LiNH2-MgH2-0.05LaH3 composite, LaH2 transferred to LaN phase, which reversed to LaH2 in the following hydrogen adsorption process. The reversible reaction of LaH2 ef- fectively promoted the hydrogen sorption of Li-Mg-N-H system. Moreover, the homogenous distribution of fine La hydride was fa- vorable to improving effect of lanthanum hydride.     

Composition optimization and electrochemical characteristics of Co-free Fe-containing AB5-type hydrogen storage alloys through uniform design

In order to reduce the cost of AB5-type hydrogen storage alloys, effects of substitution of Ce for La (A side) and Fe, Mn, Al for Ni (B side) on structural and electrochemical properties of (LaCe)1(NiFeMnAl)5 alloys were studied systematically. To make component uniform and operation easy, uniform design (UD) method was introduced into the study of composition optimization of Co-free Fe-containing AB5-type alloys for the first time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the designed alloys were of single CaCu5-type structure phase. The replacement of Fe had a severe effect on electrochemical capacity, and the substitution of Fe and Al had a synergetic action among the unit cell volume, cycling stability and high rate discharge property. Interestingly, it was found that the hydrogen storage alloys with exces-sively high plateau pressure showed a tilted line in Nyquist plot instead of the semicircle, and the current decayed rapidly to near zero at the beginning of the step in constant potential step (CPS), indicating that electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and CPS cannot accurately measure the electrochemical kinetics process of the hydrogen storage alloys with excessively high plateau pressure.     

Hydriding/dehydriding behaviors of La2Mg17-10 wt.%Ni composite prepared by mechanical milling

The structure and hydriding/dehydriding behaviors of La2Mg17-10 wt.%Ni composite prepared by mechanical milling were investigated. Compared with the un-milled sample, the as-milled alloys were ready to be activated and the kinetics of hydrogen absorption was relatively fast even at environmental temperature. The composite milled for 10 h absorbed 3.16 wt.% hydrogen within 100 s at 290 K. The kinetic mechanisms of hydriding/dehydriding reactions were analyzed by using a new model. The results showed that hydrogenation processes for all composites were controlled by hydrogen diffusion and the minimum activation energy was 15.3 kJ/mol H2 for the composite milled for 10 h. Mechanical milling changed the dehydriding reaction rate-controlling step from surface penetration to diffusion and reduced the activation energy from 204.6 to 87.4 kJ/mol H2. The optimum milled duration was 5 h for desorption in our trials.     

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.     

Microstructure and electrochemical properties of LaNi4–xFeMnx (x=0–0.8) hydrogen storage alloys

In order to reduce the cost of LaNi5 based hydrogen storage alloys, effect of substitution of Mn for Ni on structural and electro-chemical properties of LaNi4-xFeMnx(x=0-0.8) hydrogen storage alloys was studied systematically. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that LaNi5 and La2Ni7 phases were invariably present in all alloy samples, and when x≥0.4, (Fe,Ni) phase was observed. Electrochemical studies revealed that the discharge capacity reached a maximum value of 306.4 mAh/g when x=0.2 and the cycling stability decreased with the increase of x.With the increase of Mn content, hydrogen diffusion coefficient decreased, whereas high rate discharge-ability (HRD) and exchange current density first increased slowly when x≤0.2 and then decreased markedly when x=0.8,indicating that electrochemical reaction on the surface of alloy electrodes had strong influence on kinetic property.     

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.     

Effect of rapid solidification treatment on structure and electrochemical performance of low-Co AB5-type hydrogen storage alloy

The effect of rapid solidification on structure and electrochemical performance of the LaNi4.5Co0.25Al0.25 hydrogen storage alloy was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and a simulated battery test, including maximum capacity, cycling stability, self-discharge, and high-rate discharge ability （HRD）. All the melt-spun alloys were single-phase with the CaCu5-type structure （space groupP6/mmm）. In comparison to the as-cast alloy, the rapidly quenched alloys manifested an improved homogeneity of com-position and expanded lattice parameters. The electrochemical measurements showed that the activation property, cycling stability and self-discharge of the alloy electrodes were also improved for the rapid solidified alloys. The HRDof the as-cast alloy was better than those of all the rapidly solidified alloys. As the quenching rate increased, the HRD and exchange current density first decreased and then increased.