Effects of the ball-milling with LmNi4.1Al0.25Mn0.3Co0.65 alloy on the electrode characteristics of Ti0.32Cr0.43V0.25 alloy for Ni–MH batteries

This study examined the effects of ball-milling with an AB5 type LmNi4.1Al0.25Mn0.3Co0.65 (Lm: Lanthanum rich mischmetal) alloy on the electrode characteristics of a BCC type Ti0.32Cr0.43V0.25 alloy in order to determine its potential as an anode material for Ni–MH batteries. A mixture of the BCC type Ti0.32Cr0.43V0.25 alloy powder and various concentrations of the AB5 type LmNi4.1Al0.25Mn0.3Co0.65 alloy powder was ball-milled for various ball-milling times. The discharge capacity of the electrode made from the Ti0.32Cr0.43V0.25 alloy ball-milled with the LmNi4.1Al0.25Mn0.3Co0.65 alloy was superior to the electrode made from the Ti0.32Cr0.43V0.25 alloy alone. The highest discharge capacity of 310 mAhg-1mAhg-1 was obtained when 20 wt% LmNi4.1Al0.25Mn0.3Co0.65 alloy was added to the Ti0.32Cr0.43V0.25 alloy and ball-milled for 20 min.