HIGH ACTIVATION TREATMENT OF HYDROGEN STORAGE ALLOY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To activate a Zr-Ni Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy so as to enhance the alloy capacity of a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. SOLUTION: A hydrogen storage alloy is hydrogenated by heating in a hot atmosphere of hydrogen and rapidly cooling immediately after the heating and then degassing is carried out by evacuation to highly activate the hydrogen storage alloy. It is preferable that the activated hydrogen storage alloy is heated in a KOH soln. after dipping in a soln. of HF and NH4 F.HF to which an Ni salt is optionally added. Activation frequency in initial activation is considerably reduced and the alloy capacity of a hydrogen storage alloy electrode can be enhanced.