Effect of fluorination treatment on electrochemical properties of M1Ni 3.5Co0.6Mn0.4Al0.5 hydrogen storage alloy

Abstract

The influence of surface treatment by solutions of NH4F, LiF and LiF containing KBH4 on the structure and electrochemical properties of the M1Ni3.5Co0.6Mn0.4Al0.5 hydrogen storage alloy (in which M1 denotes mischmetal) is investigated. The fluorination treatment improves the electrochemical performances of the M1Ni3.5Co0.6Mn0.4Al0.5 alloy. The maximum discharge capacity (Cmax) increases from 314.8 to 325.7 (NH4F), 326.5 (LiF) and 316.4 mAh g-1 (LiF+KBH 4). After 60 cycles, the capacity retention rate increases from 83.5 to 84.8% (NH4F), 89.5% (LiF) and 93.9% (LiF+KBH4). The results of the linear polarization and anodic polarization reveal that the exchange current density (I0) and the limiting current density (IL) increase after fluorination treatment, indicating an improvement of the kinetics of the hydrogen absorption/desorption. © 2012 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.