HYDROGEN ABSORPTION-DESORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF MISCHMETAL-NICKEL-ALUMINUM ALLOYS

The hydrogen absorption and desorption characteristics of mischmetal (Mm)-nickel-aluminum alloys were investigated. MmNi5-xAlx (x = 0.25 -0.5) have been found to have the same hexagonal structure as LaNi5 and MmNi5, and they reacted readily with hydrogen to form the hydrides MmNi4.75 Al0.25H5.4, MmNi4.65Al0.35H 5.3H5.3 and MmNi4.5Al0.5H4.9 (hydrogen content: 1.3,1.2 and 1.2 wt.%, respectively) under 60 atm hydrogen pressure at room temperature. The dissociation pressures of these hydrides were dependent on the aluminum content (aluminum partially substitutes for nickel) and the value of log Pbecame lower than the value for MmNi5 hydride as x increased. The enthalpy change on hydride formation as determined from the dissociation isotherms for the MmNi4.5Al0.5-H system was - 5.5 kcal (mol H2)-1; this value was smaller than those for LaNi5 and MmNi5. The dissociation pressure at 30 °C was 3 atm and was nearly the same as that of LaNi5. The desorption rate of hydrogen for MmNi4.5Al0.5 was larger than those for LaNi5 and MmNi5) and a value of 2.1 - 4.3 kcal mol-1 was obtained for the apparent activation energy of hydrogen desorption. For MmNi4.5Al0.5 the hydrogen absorption-desorption cycle was repeated 30 times, but no variation in the hydrogen absorption-desorption capacity was observed. The hydride of MmNi4.5A10.5 proved to be suitable for use as a stationary hydrogen storage material. © 1979.