Effect of partial substitution of Co with Fe on the properties of LaNi3.55Mn0.4Al0.3Co0.75−xFex (x=0, 0.15, 0.55) alloys electrodes

The effect of iron substitution on the electrochemical behaviour of LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.75−xFe_x compounds (x=0, 0.15, 0.55) has been studied by chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The maximum capacity decreases linearly from 308 to 239 mAhg⁻¹ when the iron content increases from 0 to 7.3 wt.% (x=0.55). This decrease can be explained by the corrosion of the alloy in the aqueous KOH electrolyte. In spite of this decrease and of the long time needed for the activation, a good stability of discharge capacity was observed in LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.75−xFe_x compounds. The reversibility of the electrochemical redox reaction of LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.75−xFe_x alloy electrodes has been observed in the alloys least rich in iron. The hydrogen diffusivity in LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.75−xFe_x alloy electrodes decreases when increasing the iron content. The obtained values of the hydrogen diffusion coefficient D_H, varies between 2.1×10⁻⁷ and 8.2×10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹ depending on the iron content of the electrode.