Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of hydrogen storage alloys as negative electrode materials for Ni/MH batteries: a review

This paper reviews the present performances of intermetallic compound families as materials for negative electrodes of rechargeable Ni/MH batteries. The performance of the metal-hydride electrode is determined by both the kinetics of the processes occurring at the metal/solution interface and the rate of hydrogen diffusion within the bulk of the alloy. Thermodynamic and electrochemical properties for each hydride compound family will be reported. The steps of hydrogen absorption/desorption such as charge-transfer and hydrogen diffusion for evaluating the electrochemical properties of hydrogen storage alloys are discussed. Exchange current density (I (0)) and hydrogen diffusion coefficient (D (H)) are the two most important parameters for evaluating the electrochemical properties of metal hydride electrode. The values of the two parameters for a number of hydrogen storage alloys are compared. The relationship between alloy composition and electrochemical properties is noted and evaluated.