Effect of rapid quenching on the microstructure and electrochemical characteristics of La_(0.6)Ce_(0.4)Ni_(3.6)Co_(0.65)Mn_(0.4)Al_(0.2)Ti_(0.05_(FeB)_(0.1) hydrogen storage alloy

摘要

In order to improve the cycling stability of AB5 type alloy electrodes,rapid quenching technology and new alloy composition design were employed.A hydrogen storage alloy with nominal composition La0.6Ce0.4Ni3.6Co0.65Mn0.4Al0.2Ti0.05(FeB)0.1 was prepared by vacuum magnetic levitation melting under high purity argon atmosphere,followed by rapid quenching at different cooling rates.XRD results show that all alloys exhibit the single-phase CaCu5-type structure.Electrochemical tests indicate that rapid quenching can slightly improve the cycling life of the alloy.Nevertheless,the high-rate dischargeability of the quenched alloys is lower than that of the as-cast alloy.