Synthesis and electrode characteristics of the new composite alloys Mg2Ni-xwt.% Ti2Ni

A new composite alloy Mg₂Ni-xwt.% Ti₂Ni has been successfully synthesised using a ‘particle inlaying’ method. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that very fine Ti₂Ni particles were inlaid onto the surface of Mg₂Ni particles by mechanical treatment and sintering. XRD showed the composite alloys were composed of primary alloys Mg₂Ni, Ti₂Ni and new phases TiNi, Ti---Mg formed in the composite procedure. The electrode characteristics of Mg₂Ni-xwt.% Ti₂Ni alloys in an alkaline solution have been investigated and compared with those of Mg₂Ni. The discharge capacity of the alloy electrode was effectively improved from 8 mA h g¹ of Mg₂Ni to 165 mA h g¹ of Mg₂Ni-40wt.% Ti₂Ni at ambient temperature, which is almost comparable with that of Ti₂Ni electrode (170 mA h g¹). It is believed that the fine Ti₂Ni particles inlaid on the surface of Mg₂Ni particles play a two-fold role: firstly, they hydride-dehydride as hydrogen storage materials themselves: secondly, they provide active sites and pathways for Mg₂Ni hydriding-dehydriding. This is supported by analysis of discharge behaviour and electrochemical impedance spectra studies.     

Influence of tin on the electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen sorption in Mg2−xSnxNi (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3)

Mg_2−xSn_xNi (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3) alloys were synthesized by reactive ball milling under protective Ar atmosphere and liquid n-heptane. The microstructure and the morphology of the powders were determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The as-milled alloys consist of Mg₂Ni nanocrystals with an average grain size in the range 3–7 nm, depending on the alloy composition. Sn containing phases were not detected even in the Sn-rich alloy. Obviously, Sn is dissolved in the Mg₂Ni intermetallic compound. Gas phase sorption of hydrogen was not observed in the alloys containing Sn (Mg_2−xSn_xNi; x = 0.1, 0.3). It was suggested that Sn impedes the process of hydrogen molecules decomposition. The as-milled alloys absorbed reversibly hydrogen electrochemically. Mg₂Ni alloy showed the highest discharge capacity of 300 mAh/g. The capacity of Mg_1.9Sn_0.1Ni and Mg_1.7Sn_0.3Ni was about 260 mAh/g. It was found that Sn improved the cycle life of the electrode.     

Synthesis of fine composite particles for hydrogen storage, starting from Mg-YNi2 mixture

We synthesized new composite particles for hydrogen storage on the basis of an idea of “particle designing”. As starting materials, powders of Mg and YNi₂ were selected. Fine composite particles containing mainly Mg₂Ni could be designed by repetitive hydriding and dehydriding cycles at 673 K. In the synthesis process of the composite particles, the following two points were found to be essential for this technique. The first point is that, after being activated by the sequential processes of hydrogenation, amorphization and disproportionation, YNi₂ reacts effectively with Mg. The second point is that evaporated Mg, which occurs during dehydriding, adheres to the surface of the activated YNi₂ and accelerates a diffusion reaction to form Mg₂Ni at the interface. In these composite particles, Mg₂NiH₄ is formed, even at 373 K, under a hydrogen pressure of 5 MPa.     

Microstructural evolution during controlled ball milling of (Mg2Ni+MgNi2) intermetallic alloy

Nearly dual-phase Mg–Ni alloy fabricated by ingot metallurgy (IM) and comprising 30 vol% Mg₂Ni and 61 vol% MgNi₂ intermetallic compounds (remaining 9 vol% of unreacted Mg) was mechanically (ball) milled under controlled shearing for 10, 30, 70 and 100 h. The majority of the medium- and small-sized powder particles exhibited a relatively homogeneous microstructure of milled Mg₂Ni and MgNi₂. A fraction of large-sized particles developed the ‘core and mantel’ microstructure after milling for 70 and 100 h. The ‘core’ contains poorly milled MgNi₂ particles and the ‘mantel’ is a thoroughly milled mixture of Mg₂Ni, MgNi₂ and, possibly, residual Mg. X-ray diffraction provides evidence of nanostructurization and eventual amorphization of a fraction of a heavily ball milled Mg₂Ni phase. The remnant Mg₂Ni developed a nanocrystalline/submicrocrystalline structure. The co-existing MgNi₂ phase developed a submicrocrystalline structure within the powder particles. The results are rationalized in terms of enthalpy effects by the application of Miedema’s semi-empirical model to the phase changes in ball milled intermetallics.     

The structural and kinetic characteristics of Mg1.9Al0.1Ni alloy synthesized by mechanical alloying

The structural and kinetic characteristics of the mechanically alloyed Mg_1.9Al_0.1Ni were investigated. It was found that Mg_1.9Al_0.1Ni can absorb/desorb about 3.55/3.44 mass% H at a high rate and it has a hexagonal crystal structure as Mg₂Ni. The hydriding/dehydriding (H/D) rates in the two-phase (–β) region of Mg_1.9Al_0.1Ni were measured and studied at temperatures ranging from 553 to 623 K under an approximately isobaric condition. The obtained data of H/D rates indicated that hydrogen diffusion was the rate-controlling step through the hydride phase. A new model was successfully used to calculate the kinetic experimental results. It can be seen that theoretical calculation agrees well with experimental data. The corresponding activation energies are 47 600 and 54 500 J/mol H₂ for H/D processes, respectively.     

氧化物—空气半燃料电池用贮氢合金电极的烧结制备及其电化学特性

研究了应用在空气－氢化物半燃料电池上的制备配套金属氢化物厚型电极烧结技术，将贮氢合金与细镍粉和一定的添加剂形成浆料涂覆在泡沫镍基体，测试不同烧结参数对贮氢合金电极的电化学性能的影响，烧结电极合金的电化学活化特性和高倍率放电能力与传统的粘结式电极有较大的提高，为设计适合电动车用高能量密度空气－氢化物燃料电池，分别选用冲孔镍箔带，冲孔铜箔带和铜编织网作为集流体进行比较实验。结果表明，选定冲孔铜箔带是适宜于设计空气－氢化物燃料电池用厚型氢化物电极。     

Hydriding combustion synthesis of Mg–CaNi5 composites

The composites of Mg–x wt.% CaNi₅ (x = 20, 30 and 50) were prepared by hydriding combustion synthesis (HCS) and the phase evolution during HCS as well as the hydriding properties of the products were investigated. It was found that Mg reacted with CaNi₅ forming Mg₂Ni and Ca during the heating period of HCS. Afterwards, the resultant Mg₂Ni and Ca as well as the remnant Mg reacted with hydrogen during the cooling period. The lower platform in the P–C isotherms corresponds to the hydriding of Mg, and the higher one corresponds to Mg₂Ni. With the increase of the content of CaNi₅ from 20 to 50 wt.%, the hydrogen content of the HCS products increases at first and then decreases. The Mg–30 wt.% CaNi₅ composite has the maximum hydrogen capacity of 4.74 wt.%, and it can absorb 3.51 wt.% of hydrogen in the first hydriding process without activation.     

连接温度对TiAl/Ti3AlC2扩散焊接头界面结构及性能的影响

采用Ti/Ni复合中间层实现了TiAl合金和Ti₃AlC₂陶瓷的扩散连接,利用SEM,XRD等分析方法对接头界面结构进行了分析.结果表明,TiAl/Ti₃AlC₂接头典型界面结构为TiAl/Ti₃Al+Al₃NiTi₂/Ti₃Al/α-Ti+Ti₂Ni/Ti₂Ni/TiNi/Ni₃Ti/Ni/Ni₃(Ti,Al)/Ni₃Al+TiC_x+Ti₃AlC₂/Ti₃AlC₂.随着连接温度的升高,TiAl/Ti界面处的Ti_ss层逐渐减小,Ti₃Al化合物层逐渐变厚;TiNi化合物层厚度显著增加,Ti₂Ni和Ni₃Ti层厚度基本保持不变.接头抗剪强度随连接温度升高先增加后减小,当连接温度为850℃时,接头的抗剪强度最高可达到85.3 MPa.接头主要在Ni/Ti₃AlC₂界面及Ti₃AlC₂基体处发生断裂.     

Hydriding properties of La2Mg16Ni alloy prepared by mechanical milling in benzene

The hydrogen storage properties of La₂Mg₁₆Ni alloy prepared by mechanical milling in benzene were investigated. The ball-milling times (0, 5, 10 and 20 h) significantly influence the hydriding process. Compared with the unmilled sample, these as-milled alloys are ready to be activated and the absorption kinetics are relatively fast even at low temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the microstructure and morphology.     

Electrochemical characteristics of Mg2−xZrxNi (x = 0–0.6) electrode alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

The electrode alloys Mg_2−xZr_xNi (x = 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6) were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA). Mg in the alloy was partially substituted with Zr in order to improve the electrochemical characteristics of the Mg₂Ni-type alloy. The microstructures and the electrochemical characteristics of the experimental alloys were measured systemically. The effects of substituting Mg with Zr and MA technique on the microstructures and electrochemical performances of the alloys were investigated in detail. The results obtained by XRD, SEM and TEM show that the substitution of Zr is favourable for the formation of an amorphous phase. For a fixed milling time, the amorphous phase in the alloy grows with increasing Zr content. The electrochemical measurement indicates that the substitution of Zr can dramatically enhance the discharge capacity with preferable cycle stability, and it markedly improves the discharge voltage characteristic of the alloys. For x ≤ 0.3, the discharge capacity of the alloys monotonically increases with milling time. But for x > 0.3, it has a maximum value with the change of milling time.     

TiNiNb钎焊Cf/SiC与TC4接头组织结构

文中在钎焊温度980℃、钎焊时间15 min的条件下,采用Ti_54.8Ni_34.4Nb_10.8（原子分数,%）共晶合金粉末真空钎焊C_f/SiC复合材料与TC4钛合金.用SEM,EDS及差热分析法（DTA）观察测定了钎料组织、成分及熔点,分析了钎焊接头的微观组织结构.结果表明,Ti_54.8Ni_34.4Nb_10.8共晶钎料由Ti₂Ni及Ti（Nb,Ni）化合物组成,实际熔点为935℃.钎焊过程中,Ti和Nb元素与复合材料反应形成TiC和NbC混合反应层;钎料中的镍与TC4中的镍发生互扩散,在TC4钛合金侧形成扩散层;连接层由弥散分布的Ti（Nb,Ni）化合物和Ti₂Ni相组成.C_f/SiC与连接层界面为接头最薄弱环节,此处易形成裂纹.     

烧结法和熔炼法Ti_3Ni_2储氢合金的电化学性能

对比研究了烧结法和熔炼法制备的Ti3Ni2合金的储氢性能。结果显示,烧结合金具有多孔特性,有利于提高合金的电化学储氢性能。烧结合金的最大放电容量Cmax为305mAh/g,其值远高于熔炼合金的Cmax(242mAh/g)。另外,烧结合金在电化学动力学方面也优于熔炼合金,这主要是由于采用烧结法可以改善氢在Ti3Ni2合金中的扩散,从而使氢的扩散系数(D)从7.16×10-10cm2/s(熔炼合金)提高到3.2×10-9cm2/s(烧结合金)。     

Corrosion Behavior of MgZnCa Bulk Amorphous Alloys Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Centimeter-sized Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_5 bulk amorphous alloys were fabricated by the spark plasma sintering process from the amorphous powders with a size smaller than 5 l m prepared by ball-milling.The sintered Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_5samples were in an amorphous state when the spark plasma sintering was performed at a temperature of 383 K under a pressure of 600 MPa.The data of polarization curves presented that the sintered Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_5bulk amorphous alloys exhibited higher corrosion resistance than pure Mg and AZ31B alloy owing to high content of Zn and homogeneous structure.A calcium phosphate compound layer was formed on the sintered Mg_(65)Zn_(30)Ca_5bulk amorphous sample after immersion in Hanks’solution,which is effective in improving corrosion resistance and bioactivity.The sintered Mg Zn Ca bulk amorphous alloys with large dimensions broaden the potential application of bulk amorphous alloys in the biomedical fields.     

ZrCr2合金对TiV1.1Mn0.9Ni0.5电极合金结构和电化学性能的影响

用两步熔炼法制备TiV1.1Mn0.9Ni0.5-ZrCr2复合电极合金。XRD、EDS、ICP及EIS等分析结果表明：复合合金具有与母体合金相同的双相结构,但是两相的特征参数以及复合合金电极的热力学特性均发生了一系列变化;组分合金在复合过程中产生明显的协同效应;复合合金电极的最大放电容量达到457.2 mAh/g;循环稳定性、荷电保持率和高倍率放电等动力学性能均得到显著改善;1000 mA/g放电电流密度时,复合合金电极的高倍率放电性能是由电极/电解质界面上的电化学反应和合金体内氢的扩散混合控制     

Hydrogen absorption properties of the slurry system composed of liquid C6H6 and F-treated Mg2Ni

The hydrogenation characteristics of the slurry composed of the NH₄F solution treated Mg₂Ni and liquid C₆H₆ were studied. The F-treatment results in a net-shaped MgF₂ surface and higher nickel content in the sub-layer. It is found that the hydride of the NH₄F treated alloy has a much higher activity for the hydrogenation of benzene. The catalytic activity for hydrogenation of the alloy depended strongly on the surface properties of the catalyst. At 483 K and under a hydrogen pressure of 4.0 MPa, the alloy absorbed hydrogen first, transformed into hydride and then the benzene was hydrogenated to cyclohexane with the hydride as the catalyst. The hydrogen absorption capacity of slurry system composed of 20 wt.% treated alloy and benzene reached 6.4 wt.% and the hydrogenation completed in 20 min. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis on the crystal structure, surface composition and surface morphology of the untreated and treated alloy are presented and discussed.     

Improving the performance of hydrogen storage electrodes based on mechanically alloyed Mg61Ni30Y9

Amorphous Mg₆₁Ni₃₀Y₉ powder was produced by mechanical alloying using a Retsch planetary ball mill under liquid nitrogen cooling. Additional gentle milling with graphite powder resulted in a thin graphite coating of powder particles. Further milling with a high energy SPEX mill transferred the alloy into a fully nanocrystalline state. The morphological and microstructural changes were followed by means of XRD, SEM, TEM and DSC. Hydrogen storage electrodes based on those alloy powders were fabricated and their cathodic and anodic polarization behaviour and their charge–discharge cycling behaviour in 6 M KOH solution were investigated. It was found that the alloy modification from a non-defective amorphous to a highly defective nanocrystalline state is more effective for improving the hydrogen sorption properties of the alloy than the graphite coating, but is detrimental for the alloy passivation. Accordingly, a SPEX-milled powder electrode exhibits with C_max = 570 mAh/g a higher maximum discharge capacity than a coated Retsch-milled powder electrode with C_max = 435 mAh/g, but degrades faster during repeated cycling. Using graphite powder supporting material for electrode preparation on a nickel foam carrier was found to be much more beneficial than nickel powder for achieving maximum discharge performance.     

Phase Stability in Mechanically Alloyed Mg–Ni System Studied by Experiments and Thermodynamic Calculations

In this study, microstructural evolution of Mg–Ni alloy during mechanical alloying(MA) was investigated.Also, a thermodynamic approach was utilized to predict the most stable phases formed in Mg–Ni alloy after MA. The phase composition and microstructural properties of Mg–Ni alloy were assessed by X-ray diffractometry, high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that ball milling of magnesium and nickel powder mixture for 70 h yields nanostructural Mg2Ni compound with an average grain size of ~20 nm. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that in the composition ranges of 0.0 \ XMg\ 0.03(at.%)and 0.97 \ XMg\ 1, there is no driving force for amorphous phase formation. In the composition range of 0.07 \ XMg\ 0.93, the change of Gibbs free energy for amorphous phase formation was more negative than solid solution.While for XMg= 0.66(nominal composition of Mg2Ni intermetallic phase), the change of Gibbs free energy for intermetallic phase was found to be more negative than both amorphous and solid solution phases indicating that Mg2Ni intermetallic compound is the most stable phase, in agreement with the experimental observations.     

Coating of TiB2 dispersed Ti50Ni50 superelastic alloy layer onto Ti-6Al-4V alloy by spark and resistance sintering

The spark and resistance sintering (SRS) of a mixture of Ti, Ni, and TiB₂ powders was carried out to form a TiB₂ dispersed TiNi alloy layer onto a Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrate. The strength and delamination resistance of the surface layer were evaluated by three-point bending tests. The results showed that the bending strength of the specimen with the TiNi alloy surface layer without TiB₂ particles sintered at 1273 K was low because the crack initiation occurred at an early stage of loading in a thick interface layer containing brittle Ti-Ti₂Ni eutectic. By decreasing the sintering temperature to 1200 K, the bending strength increased and the crack initiation occurred from the surface because the interface layer was thin and did not contain the brittle Ti-Ti₂Ni eutectic. For the specimens with TiB₂ dispersed TiNi surface layer that was sintered at 1273 K, the bending strength was larger than that of the specimens with TiNi surface layer because the interface layer does not contain the Ti-Ti₂Ni eutectic and compressive residual stress generated in the surface layer during cooling process after SRS suppresses the crack initiation on the surface. The coating of TiB₂ dispersed TiNi alloy onto titanium alloys by SRS provides strong interface to prevent delamination of the surface layer, strong surface due to residual compressive stress, and wear-resistant surface due to the existence of hard TiB₂ particles and superelastic deformation of TiNi matrix.     

Direct synthesis of MgCNi3 by mechanical alloying

MgCNi₃, an intermetallic compound with superconductivity, was synthesized from the Mg (or Mg₂Ni), Ni and graphite powders by mechanical alloying (MA). It is shown that the preliminary condition for the formation of MgCNi₃ is that Mg₂Ni must form in advance of MgCNi₃ in the MA process or be the starting component.     

Electrochemical hydrogen absorbing properties of graphite/AB5 alloy composite electrode

Graphite is an inexpensive carbon material, but its hydrogen absorbing performance has attracted little attention. In this paper, in order to lower the cost of nickel metal-hydride (Ni-MH) battery, graphite is used as a hydrogen absorbing material in its negative electrode. The results of charge-discharge tests show that the graphite electrode has poor electrochemical hydrogen absorbing performance. The capacity of the graphite/AB₅ alloy (90 wt%) composite electrode is close to AB₅ alloy (298 mAh/g), but it has higher charge-discharge polarization and difficulty in activation. When graphite is modified with metal nickel powder by a simple ball milling process, the capacity of the composite electrode reaches to 315 mAh/g and its activation is accelerated. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests show that hydrogen diffusion in the modified composite electrode is more rapid than in AB₅ alloy, thereby resulting in lower charge-discharge polarization and better discharge performance at large currents.