The impedance response of LaY2Ni9 negative electrode materials after activation Original Research Article

The electrochemical impedance responses of the LaY2Ni9 alloy electrode after activation at different states of charge (SOC), immersion time in 7 M KOH and room temperature was studied. Electrochemical impedance spectrum of the metal hydride electrode obtained was interpreted by an equivalent circuit modeling including the different electrochemical processes taking place on the interface between the MH electrode and the electrolyte. The results indicate that the electrochemical reaction activity of hydride electrode was markedly enhanced with increasing state of charge. The hydrogen diffuses in the bulk of the alloy and this process is not the limiting step for the hydrogen absorption. During a long immersion time a continuous nanocrystalline corrosion scale appears and the modification of passive film toward more organized structure is concluded.