This
paper reviews research at the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering,
Poznań University of Technology, on the synthesis of nanocrystalline hydride
electrode materials. Nanocrystalline materials have been synthesized by
mechanical alloying (MA) followed by annealing. Examples of the mate2-,
LaNi5 and Mg2Ni-type phases. Details on the process
used and the enhancement of properties due to the nanoscale structures
are presented. The synthesized alloys were used as negative electrode materials
for Ni-MH battery. The properties of hydrogen host materials can be modi?ed
substantially by alloying to obtain the desired storage characteristics.
For example, it was found that the respective replacement of Fe in TiFe
by Ni and/or by Cr, Co, Mo improved not only the discharge capacity but
also the cycle life of these electrodes. The hydrogen storage properties
of nanocrystalline ZrV2- and LaNi5-type powders prepared
by mechanical alloying and annealing show no big di?erence with those of
melt casting (polycrystalline) alloys. On the other hand, a partial substitution
of Mg by Mn orAl in Mg2Ni alloy leads to an increase in discharge capacity,
at room temperature. Furthermore, the e?ect of the nickel and graphite
coating on the structure of some nanocrystalline alloys and the electrodes
characteristics were investigated. In the case of Mg2Ni-type alloy mechanical
coating with graphite e?ectively reduced the degradation rate of the studied
electrode materials. The combination of a nanocrystalline TiFe-, ZrV2-
and LaNi5-type hydride electrodes and a nickel positive electrode
to form a Ni-MH battery, has been successful. |