Hydrogen Storage and Electrode Properties of V-Based Solid Solution Type Alloys Prepared by a Thermic Process

Abstract

A vanadium‐based solid‐solution‐type alloy with a large discharge capacity was obtained using a low‐cost precursor of produced by aluminothermic reduction from , , and Ni. The alloy was deoxidized to a low level by adding mischmetal as a reducing agent when the precursor was alloyed with Ti, Co, and Ta. The alloy showed a hydrogen absorption behavior similar to an alloy prepared from high‐purity constituent metals. Moreover, the Mm‐Ni‐O phase was precipitated as spherical particles along the TiNi network phase in the alloy, remarkably improving the electrode rate capability because of enhanced catalytic ability of the network phase. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.