The influence of Pr and Mg content on the hydrogen decrepitation of LaNi-based battery alloys

Abstract

This paper reports the results of investigations of the hydrogenation and decrepitation of some LaNi-based hydrogen storage cast ingot alloys. A decrepitation procedure for battery negative electrode alloys has been applied using a combination of hydrogen pressure and heating from room temperature to 773K. It has been shown that the Pr and Mg content have a significant influence on the microstructures of the hydrogenated alloys and decrepitation efficiency. Alloys with high concentration of Pr and Mg required an activation quenching treatment for starting the absorption of hydrogen. The decrepitated materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrodes for alloy discharge capacity studies were produced using a nickel screen and electrochemical measurement were carried out in a standard three-electrode cell. The H content of the negative electrode, expressed as the number o H atoms (n) per formula unit, was determined using the measured storage capacity.