Crystallographic and electrochemical characteristics of melt-spun Ti–Zr–Ni–La alloys

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2009-05, Vol.475 (1), p.881-884
• Main Authors: Liu, Baozhong, Liu, Jiaojiao, Mi, Guofa, Zhang, Zhi, Wu, Yaoming, Wang, Limin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrochemical property; Equations of state, phase equilibria, and phase transitions; Exact sciences and technology; Glass transitions; Glasses (including metallic glasses); Icosahedral quasicrystal; Materials science; Metal-hydride electrode; Physics; Specific materials; Specific phase transitions; Ti–Zr–Ni–La alloy
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2008.08.016

Ti-based icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase) exhibited excellent hydrogen storage property for special structure. Unfortunately, the application as the negative electrode material of the nickel-metal hydride batteries was limited due to the poor electrochemical kinetics. Meanwhile, rare-earth element was beneficial to the electrochemical properties of Ti, Zr-based alloy. In present work, Ti 45Zr 30Ni 25La x ( x = 3, 5 and 7) alloys were prepared by melt-spinning. The effect of adding La on the electrochemical performance of melt-spun alloys was investigated in detail. The phase structure of the melt-spun alloys was analyzed by XRD and DSC. The results showed that the amorphous forming ability increased with increasing x value. The maximum discharge capacity decreased from 109 mAh g −1 to 99 mAh g −1 with increasing x value. High-rate dischargeability and cycling stability were improved by adding La, which may be resulted from the increase of amorphous phase in the alloy electrodes.