METHOD OF ACTIVATING HYDROGEN STORAGE ALLOY FOR Ni/MH SECONDARY BATTERY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy for a Zr based Ni/MH secondary battery, allowing the hydrogen storage alloy used for a cathode of the Ni/MH secondary battery to smoothly store hydrogen to produce decrease the required cycle for activating the cathode. SOLUTION: Zr based hydrogen storage alloy having poor activating characteristics is settled at 50-80 degrees C and then low-speed charge is applied at the first cycle to remove a metal oxide film existing on the surface of the Zr based hydrogen storage alloy and form a diffusion path for hydrogen. The hydrogen is thus easily stored. Dissimilarly to other activating methods, the maximum discharging capacity can be shown in the first cycle. This method different from the other known methods is used in industrial fields because almost no influence is given to a Ni anode in the actual construction of a battery.