Hydrogen storage material based on LaNi5 alloy produced by mechanical alloying

The electrochemical characteristics of the La0.8Ce0.2Ni2.5Co1.8Mn0.4 Al-0.3 compound, produced by mechanical alloying, are investigated for hydrogen s torage in nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries by discharging tests at con stant current and by calculating equilibrium pressure of hydrogen from the equilibrium potentials. It is shown that the alloy produced by mechanical a lloying, followed by annealing and activation exhibits high specific capaci ty at the stable potential plateau, even at the high discharge rate (10 mA cm(-2)), and low hydrogen equilibrium pressure. The alloy of such compositi on gives low capacity loss during cycling, which enables its application fo r metal hydride battery production. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.