Characterization and analyses of degradation and recovery of LaNi_(4.78)Sn_(0.22) hydrides following thermal aging

摘要

LaNi_(4.78)Sn_(0.22)H_x hydride samples were held at a hydrogen content of x> 5.0 (x is H/La atomic ratio) and temperatures above 465 K to accelerate the intrinsic degradation processes. Although Sn-substituted alloys are much more resistant to disproportionation than nearly all other LaNi_5 alloys, the present test conditions did produce substantial degradation. Effects observed included reduction in hydrogen storage capacity, decreases in the plateau pressures, increased slopes of the plateaus, and smaller hysteresis ratios. A regeneration process nearly completely restored the behavior of the degraded LaNi_(4.78)Sn_(0.22) hydride to its initial value. First-principles chemical reaction kinetics and statistical thermodynamics simulations have replicated experimental pressure-composition hydrogen gas absorption isotherms for both initial and degraded LaNi_(4.78)Sn_(0.22) hydride. Neutron diffraction characterization of phase compositions, crystal structures, and hydrogen content have been performed on undamaged, degraded, and regenerated LaNi_(4.78)Sn_(0.22) deuterides.