Low-Co La_(1.8)Ti_(0.2)MgNi_(8.9)Co_(0.1) alloys were prepared by magnetic levitation melting followed by annealing treatment. The effect of annealing on the hydrogen storage properties of the alloys was investigated systematically by X-ray diffraction(XRD), pressure-composition isotherm(PCI), and electrochemical measurements. The results show that all samples contain LaNi_5 and LaMg_2Ni_9 phases. LaCo_5 phase appears at 1,000 ℃. The enthalpy change of all hydrides is close to -30.6kJ·mol^(-1)H_2 of LaNi_5 compound. Annealing not only increases hydrogen capacity and improves cycling stability but also decreases plateau pressure at 800 and 900 ℃. After annealing, the contraction of cell volume and the increase of hydride stability cause the high rate dischargeability to reduce slightly. The optimum alloy is found to be one annealed at 900 ℃, with its hydrogen capacity reaching up to 1.53 wt%, and discharge capacity remaining 225.1mAh·g^(-1) after 140 charge–discharge cycles.
The present study dealt with investigations on the effects of annealing on the hydrogen storage properties of La 1.6 Ti 0.4 MgNi 9 alloys.The experimental alloys were prepared by magnetic levitation melting followed by annealing treatment.For La 1.6 Ti 0.4 MgNi 9 alloys,LaNi 5,LaNi 3 and LaMg 2 Ni 9 were the main phases,Ti 2 Ni phase appeared at 900℃.Annealing not only enhanced the maximum and effective hydrogen storage capacity,improved the hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics,but also increased the discharge capacity.The cyclic stability had been improved markedly by annealing,e.g.,when the discharge capacity reduced to 60% of maximum discharge capacity,the charge/discharge cycles increased from 66(as-cast) to 89(annealed at 800℃) and 127 times(annealed at 900℃).La 1.6 Ti 0.4 MgNi 9 alloy annealed at 900℃ exhibited better electrochemical properties compared to the other two alloy electrodes.
