Elsevier

Electrochimica Acta

Volume 40, Issue 5, April 1995, Pages 561-566
Electrochimica Acta

Surface modification of laves-phase ZrV0.5Mn0.5Ni alloy electrodes with an alkaline solution containing potassium borohydride as a reducing agent

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Abstract

A ZrV0.5Mn0.5Ni alloy negative electrode was modified by immersing it in an alkaline solution containing various concentrations of KBH4 as a reducing agent. At 40 °C the immersion of the electrode in alkaline 0.01 M KBH4 solution for 24 h gave rapid activation and the maximum hydrogen storage capacity. It was found from X-ray diffractometry that the lattice volume was expanded due to the absorption of hydrogen atoms released from BH4 into the alloy, resulting in the pulverization of the alloy particles and the formation of the new electroactive surfaces. This fact was further confirmed from the SEM image of the alloy and the change of potential of the alloy electrodes during the course of the immersion in alkaline KBH4 solution. The immersion temperature significantly affected the activation and the discharge capacity of the alloy electrodes.

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    This was with the expectation that the existence of Ni on the surface would make the alloy more easily activated. In an early study, Iwakura et al. [7] treated the alloy with a KOH solution containing KBH4. This gave a discharge capacity of 300 mAh/g in the first cycle.

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Present address: Electrochemistry Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Yousong-Ku, Toryong-Dong 1, Taejon, Korea.

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