Crystal Structures and Electrochemical Properties of R1.5Ca1.5MgNi14(R=Nd,Gd and Er)Hydrogen Storage Alloys

Ca₃MgNi₁₄, Nd_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄, Gd_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄ and Er_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄ alloys were prepared by high frequency induction melting and sintering. Characterization and analysis were performed by X-ray diffraction/Rietveld full-spectrum fitting, gaseous P-C-T hydrogen storage test and electrochemical properties tests. It can be found that all alloys consist of Gd₂Co₇-type 3R phase and Ce₂Ni₇-type 2H phase. Although the hydrogen storage capacities of Nd_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄, Gd_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄ and Er_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄ decrease to some extent compared to that of Ca₃MgNi₁₄, their equilibrium pressures for absorption and desorption increase markedly. Moreover, R_1.5Ca_1.5MgNi₁₄ alloys have better cycling stabilities and high-rate discharge(HRD) properties as compared to Ca₃MgNi₁₄. The hydrogen diffusion in alloy electrodes is the main factor to influence the HRD performance.