Alkaline batteries and fuel cells with intermetallic cpd - comprising lanthanide and cobalt or nickel, as hydrogen-absorbing negative electrode

摘要

An energy converter (battery or fuel cell) for converting chemical into electrical energy, with positive and negative electrode(s) and an aq. electrolyte with pH 5, pref. =8, has a H2-absorbing material consisting of LnM, (in which Ln is a lanthanide with at. no. 57-71 and M is Ni and/or Co), pref. LaNi5, LaCo5 or SmCo5. The compsn. of this material can vary within the range LnMe.5. It can be used as a negative electrode in an alkaline battery or a fuel cell having a positive O2 electrode. LaNi5 and SmCo5 in particular are of low cost and have a high absorption capacity for H2 gas. Cpds. of this type also have the advantage of compactness and efficient construction. They have very great flexibility in the construction of alkaline batteries, for limiting the H2 pressure, enabling max. utilisation of the capacity of the positive and negative electrodes.