EFFECT OF KOH PRETREATMENT ON THE HYDRIDING PROPERTIES OF LANI2.5CO2.5 ALLOY

Abstract LaNi 2.5 Co 2.5 hydrogen storage alloy was investigated by both electrochemical processes and gas phase reactions. A comparison of equilibrium characteristics and reaction kinetics obtained by both processes showed a good agreement. Pretreatment with KOH yielded faster reaction kinetics; on the other hand no effect on the equilibrium properties was found. From results of Auger electron spectroscopy, the phenomena were caused by the surface modification by the KOH pretreatment. The equilibrium and kinetic characteristics both in the gas phase and in the electrochemical reactions are discussed.