Structure and electrochemical characteristics of RENi3 alloy

The RENi3 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y) series compounds have been prepared by arc melting constituent elements under Ar atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the as-prepared alloys have different lattice parameters and cell volumes, depending on different rare earth (RE) element. The electrochemical characteristics, including the electrochemical capacity, P–C isotherms, high rate chargeability (HRC) and high-rate dischargeability (HRD), of these alloys have been studied through the charge-discharge recycle testing at different temperatures, charge currents and discharge currents. The results show that YNi3 has the largest cell volume, smallest density, and moreover, it shows more satisfactory electrochemical characteristics than other alloys, including discharge capacity, HRC, HRD and low temperature dischargeablity.