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 group P6/mmm). In comparison to the as-cast alloy, the rapidly quenched alloys manifested an improved homogeneity of composition 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 HRD of 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.