Hydrogenation and Corrosion Properties of LaNi4.5Co0.5-Based Alloy Doped with 1.7 at% Sn

Abstract

Effect of small addition of tin (1.7 at.%) into LaNi4.5Co0.5 alloy on gas phase and cathodically charged hydrogen absorption ability as well as its corrosion resistance in 6M KOH solution is discussed. To reveal the effect of Sn doping three alloys have been selected: LaNi4.5Co0.5 (precursor), LaNi4.5Co0.5Sn0.1 and LaNi5 - as a parent compound. The room temperature p-C isotherms indicate to beneficial effect of Sn addition which causes decrease of H2 equilibrium pressure and does not limit atomic hydrogen solubility. Discharge capacities (Qdisch), exchange current densities of H2O/H2 system () as well as corrosion rates () have been determined for the tested alloys on the basis of cyclic galvanostatic measurements (at –0.5C/+0.5C rates). It has been shown that for N > 3 cycle the discharge capacity of LaNi4.5Co0.5 is ca twofold greater than that for LaNi5 reference. Addition of 1.7 at.% Sn into Co-containing alloy expands the discharge capacity by 30-40%. The Co containing alloys reveal twice as great exchange current densities of H2O/H2 system compared to LaNi5, however, Sn addition slightly decreases the , especially for latest cycles. The partial cobalt substitution for Ni accelerates alloy corrosion in alkaline solution, however, tin addition fully eliminates this effect.