MWCNT as mechanical support during ball milling of an AB5 alloy used as negative electrode of a Ni–MH battery

• We have studied the effect of purified CNTs added to the mechanical milling of an AB5 type alloy.
• The electrochemical performance of the negative electrodes made with the alloy milling with CNT and without CNTs was analyzed.
• CNT added to the mechanical milling have a positive effect on the electrochemical performance of negatives electrodes of a Ni/MH battery.

The La0.8Cm0.2Ni3.8Co0.3Al0.4 (AB5) (Cm: Cerium rich misch metal) alloy was mechanically mixed with carbon nanotubes at four different time periods, in order to study the effect on the mechanical milling and the electrochemical performance of the negative electrode of a Ni-MH battery. The microstructure and size particle during processing was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The morphology, examined by scanning electron microscopy, showed that the surface of the AB5 alloy was modified by carbon nanotubes. The electrochemical properties of the obtained materials were measured and discussed.