Microstructure and electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of (La0.7Mg0.3)1−xCexNi2.8Co0.5 (x = 0–0.20) electrode alloys

Abstract The microstructure and electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of (La 0.7 Mg 0.3 ) 1− x Ce x Ni 2.8 Co 0.5 ( x  = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) alloys have been investigated. The results show that all alloys consist of (La, Mg)Ni 3 and LaNi 5 phases. The cyclic stability ( S 100 ) of the alloy electrodes increases from 58.7% ( x  = 0) to 69.8% ( x  = 0.20) after 100 charge/discharge cycles. The high rate dischargeability (HRD) increases from 66.8% ( x  = 0) to 69.6% ( x  = 0.10), then decreases to 65.1% ( x  = 0.20) at the discharge current density of 1200 mA/g. Moreover, the electrochemical kinetic characteristics of the alloy electrodes are also improved by increasing Ce content.