LaNi₅₋ₓSnₓ Electrodes for Ni/MH Electrochemical Cells

Experiments have shown that improved hydride-forming negative electrodes for rechargeable nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) electrochemical cells can be made by substituting Sn for some of the Ni in LaNi5. Since the year 1988, it has been known that partial substitution of Sn for some of the Ni in LaNi5 slows the deterioration of reversible hydrogen-storage capacity and lowers the operating pressure for gas-phase cycling. However, prior to these experiments, the effects of the partial substitution on charge/discharge capacities on Ni/MH cells and on retention of their charge/discharge capacities during electrochemical reactions was not known.