AB-type dual-phase high-entropy alloys as negative electrode of Ni-MH batteries: Impact of interphases on electrochemical performance

Abstract

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) and their corresponding high-entropy hydrides are new potential candidates for negative electrode materials of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. This study investigates the cyclic electrochemical hydrogen storage performance of two AB-type HEAs (A: hydride-forming elements, B: non-hydride-forming elements) in Ni-MH batteries. TiV2ZrCrMnFeNi with a dual-phase structure shows a fast activation and a low charge transfer impedance with a discharge capacity of 150 mAhg−1, while TiV1.5Zr1.5CrMnFeNi with a single phase shows a slow activation and a capacity of only 60 mAhg−1. The better electrochemical performance of TiV2ZrCrMnFeNi was attributed to its higher vanadium/zirconium ratio and abundant interphase boundaries, which act as hydrogen paths and heterogeneous hydride nucleation sites. These results suggest the high potential of dual-phase HEAs as new active electrode materials for Ni-MH batteries.