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Title: A new activation process for a Zr-based alloy as a negative electrode for Ni/MH electric vehicle batteries

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.1392644· OSTI ID:20013021

The effects of a combination hot-immersion and slow-charging method on the activation of a Zr-based alloy were investigated. A Zr{sub 0.7}Ti{sub 0.3}Cr{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 0.3}V{sub 0.4}Ni{sub 1.0} alloy electrode was treated with two steps: alloy electrodes were immersed at 80 C for 12 h in a KOH solution and then charged at a low current density for one cycle. It was found that the alloy electrode activation was greatly improved after this hot-immersion and slow-charging treatment, and furthermore the treated electrodes were fully activated at the first normal cycle. The effects of this treatment are discussed on the basis of results obtained by scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. The hot-immersion and slow-charging method was successfully applied to the formation process of 80 Ah Ni/MH cells using this Zr-based alloy.

Research Organization:
Korea Advanced Inst. of Science and Technology, Taejon (KR)
OSTI ID:
20013021
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 146, Issue 12; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1999; ISSN 0013-4651
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English