An investigation on phase transformation and electrochemical properties of as-cast and annealed La0.75Mg0.25Nix (x = 3.0, 3.3, 3.5, 3.8) alloys

In this paper, the phase transformation and electrochemical characteristics of the as-cast and annealed La0.75Mg0.25Nix (x = 3.0, 3.3, 3.5, 3.8) alloys were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), pressure composition isotherm (PCI) and electrochemical measurements. The as-cast alloys were composed of LaNi5, (La,Mg)2Ni7 and (La,Mg)Ni3 phases. Phase transformation of LaNi5 and (La,Mg)Ni3 phases into (La,Mg)2Ni7 phase occurred during annealing treatment, leading to the increase of the (La,Mg)2Ni7 phase and decrease or even depletion of the LaNi5 and (La,Mg)Ni3 phases. The two plateaus observed in P–C isotherms of the as-cast alloys tended to become single and the plateau pressure dropped after the phase transformation by annealing. Electrochemical study showed that for the alloy electrodes with and without annealing treatment, the maximum discharge capacity and HRD initially increased then decreased with x increasing from 3.0 to 3.8. The transformation of the LaNi5 and (La,Mg)Ni3 phases into (La,Mg)2Ni7 phase favored the maximum discharge capacity and cycling stability but suppressed the activation as well as HRD of the La0.75Mg0.25Nix (x = 3.0, 3.3, 3.5, 3.8) alloy electrodes. The annealing treatment significantly improved the cycling stability of the alloy electrodes by alleviating the pulverization and oxidation degree of the electrode alloys.

► The mechanism of phase transformation during annealing is illustrated.
► Double pressure plateau tends to single after phase transformation by annealing.
► Cycling stability is dramatically improved after phase transformation by annealing.
► The improvement of cycling stability is due to less pulverization and oxidation.