Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Akemi Shintani

Yoshio Moriwaki

Tsutomu Iwaki

Takaharu Gamo

Hajime Seri

Yoshinori Toyoguchi

In the method of the present invention for producing a hydrogen-storing alloy, part or whole of single substance of Zr as a starting material is replaced with a ferrozirconium or a zircalloy. This method enables production of a hydrogen-storing alloy at reduced material and production costs and with high efficiency and safety of work. The alloy produced by this method has high homogeneity with no segregation. It is thus possible to obtain a hydrogen-storing alloy superior in hydrogen-storing characteristics such as hydrogen storage capacity, reaction speed, and electrode reaction efficiency in an electrolyte. It is also possible to obtain, by using this alloy, a nickel-hydrogen storage battery having a large storage capacity and capable of performing quick charging and discharging, while exhibiting longer life and higher economy.

Method of producing hydrogen-storing alloy and electrode making use of

Method of producing hydrogen-storing alloy from a zirconium-tin starting

The present invention provides a hydrogen storage alloy electrode made of a pentanary or higher multi-component hydrogen storage alloy or a hydride thereof where the alloy comprises at least Zr, Mn, Cr, Ni, and M where M is one or more elements selected from V an Mo, and a major component of the alloy phase is C.sub.15 (MgCu.sub.2) type Laves phase. This hydrogen storage alloy electrode may be enhanced in its performance by subjecting the alloy after the production thereof to a homogenizing heat-treatment at a temperature of 900.degree. to 1300.degree. C. in vacuum or in an inert gaseous atmosphere.

Hydrogen storage alloy electrode

The invention relates to a new method of manufacturing a sealed rechargeable alkaline battery including metal oxides as positive electrode active materials and a hydrogen absorbing alloy as a negative electrode material. The basic principle of the method is that, instead of the conventional electrochemical formation, the property of a hydrogen absorbing alloy is utilized to cause the negative electrode to absorb hydrogen to thereby achieve precharged portions within the negative electrode having a relatively larger capacity as compared with the positive electrode. Regardless of the kind of positive electrode, the method of the invention insures a broad freedom in the capacity appropriation between the positive and negative electrodes.

Growing community of inventors

Osaka, Japan

Akemi Shintani