EFFECT OF ANODIC-OXIDATION ON ACTIVATION FOR ZIRCONIUM-BASED HYDROGEN-ABSORBING ALLOY ELECTRODES - EN,JA

The anodic oxidation treatments in an alkaline electrolyte at 0.6 approximately 0.4V vs. Hg/HgO were attempted to the zirconium-based hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrodes. It was found that the anodic oxidation of the alloy surface improves activity for the hydrogen charge/discharge reaction. The preliminary long-time and high-temperature immersion of the electrodes in an alkaline electrolyte and an addition of small amount of nickel peroxide or oxide powder into the electrodes were also effective for the electrode activation. These effects were also explained by the oxidation-induced activation.