Improvement of the electrochemical properties of Zr-based AB(2) alloys by an advanced fluorination technique

An advanced fluorination technique has been developed for improving the ele ctrochemical, performances of Zr-based AB(2) alloys. During the procedure, alloys were ball milled in a complex fluoride solution. It was found that t he electrode of the treated alloy exhibited excellent electrochemical perfo rmance. Its activation property and high-rate discharge capability were fou nd to be satisfactory compared with the conventional AB(5)-based electrodes . The electrode demonstrated a significant decrease of the reaction resista nce measured by an impedance spectrometric method. The F-treated alloy was found to give a larger specific surface area and to form a highly Ni-covere d surface. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.