Electrode Materials Based on LaMgNi_4–xCo_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) Alloys

Abstract

The LaMgNi_4–xCo_x (x = 0, 0.33, 0.67, 1) alloys are prepared by powder metallurgy with further heat treatment at 500°C, with the majority phase of cubic MgCu₄Sn structure. Amorphization of the alloys is observed under ball milling process in an argon atmosphere. Electrochemical studies of the electrodes are performed at charge and discharge currents density of 100 mA/g. The maximum discharge capacity is found for the powdered alloys (218–302 mAh/g) compared to the ball milled ones (92–134 mAh/g). It is shown that cobalt content of the LaMgNi_4–xCo_x alloys influences the electrode characteristics. The highest discharge capacity is exhibited by the powdered alloy with x = 0.33. Cyclic stability was slightly higher in the ball milled alloys.