Crystallographic and electrochemical characteristics of Ti45Zr35Ni13Pd7 melt-spun alloys

Ti45Zr35Ni13Pd7 alloys are prepared by melt spinning at different cooling rates (v). The phase structure and electrochemical hydrogen storage performance are investigated. When v is 10 m/s, the alloy consists of icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase), C14 Laves phase and a little amorphous phase. When v increases to 20 or 30 m/s, a mixed structure of I-phase and amorphous phase is formed. Maximum discharge capacity of alloy electrode decreases from 156 mAh/g (v = 10 m/s) to 139 mAh/g (v = 30 m/s) with increasing v. High-rate dischargeability at the discharge current density of 240 mA/g decreases monotonically from 61.2% (v = 10 m/s) to 56.8% (v = 30 m/s). Cycling retention rate S20 increases from 62.2% (v = 10 m/s) to 66.1% (v = 30 m/s) with increasing v, which is ascribed to the increase in amorphous phase.