The structure and electrochemical characteristics of La0.67Mg0.33 (Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1) x (x=2.5–5.0) multiphase alloys for nickel-metal hydride batteries

This paper presents results concerning structure and electrochemical characteristics of the La_0.67Mg_0.33 (Ni_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1) _x (x=2.5–5.0) alloy. It can be found from the result of the Rietveld analyses that the structures of the alloys change obviously with increasing x from 2.5 to 5.0. The main phase of the alloys with x=2.5–3.5 is LaMg₂Ni₉ phase with a PuNi₃-type rhombohedral structure, but the main phase of the alloys with x=4.0–5.0 is LaNi₅phase with a CaCu₅-type hexagonal structure. Furthermore, the phase ratio, lattice parameter and cell volume of the LaMg₂Ni₉phase and the LaNi₅ phase change with increasing x. The electrochemical studies show that the maximum discharge capacity increases from 214.7 mAh/g (x=2.5) to 391.1 mAh/g (x=3.5) and then decreases to 238.5 mAh/g (x=5.0). As the discharge current density is 1,200 mA/g, the high rate dischargeability (HRD) increases from 51.1% (x=2.5) to 83.7% (x=3.5) and then decreases to 71.6% (x=5.0). Moreover, the exchange current density (I ₀) of the alloy electrodes first increases and then decrease with increasing x from 2.5 to 5.0, which is consistent with the variation of the HRD. The cell volume reduces with increasing x in the alloys, which is detrimental to hydrogen diffusion and accordingly decreases the low-temperature dischargeability of the alloy electrodes.