Electrochimica Acta, Vol.45, No.19, 3099-3104, 2000
The effect of the particle pulverization on electrochemical properties of Laves phase alloys
The effect of the particle pulverization of ZrV0.2Mn0.6Ni1.2ZrV0.2Mn0.6Cr0.1Ni1.2 and ZrTi0.1V0.2Mn0.6Co0.1Cr0.1Ni1.2 Laves phase alloys on electrochemical properties is investigated in terms of the electrochemical reaction resistance, specific surface area and element dissolution in KOH solution. It is demonstrated that electrochemical properties of the Laves phase alloy are significantly dependent on the particle pulverization during charge/discharge(C/D) cycling. In particular, the ZrTi0.1V0.2Mn0.6Co0.1Cr0.1Ni1.2 alloy is examined to have a longer cycle life, but a poor high rate capability as compared to other two alloys due to the hard pulverization and good corrosion resistance. On the other hand, the particle pulverization further increases the corrosion and dissolution rate of V and Mn, which is proportional to the specific surface area due to generation of a new fresh surface during cycling. The particle pulverization is identified to be of key importance affecting electrochemical properties of the Laves phase alloy.